New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

pollution

Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Starts January 1

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NYS Foam BanDepartment of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reminded New Yorkers that the State’s ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and ‘packing peanuts’ begins January 1st, 2022.

While an estimated 65 percent of New Yorkers are living in communities that have already banned polystyrene, New York’s statewide ban on polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging is among the first in the nation. DEC and partners continue outreach efforts to advise affected entities about the ban, particularly sellers and distributors of disposable food service containers, such as retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, and schools. [Read more…] about Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Starts January 1

DEC Plans Changes to Superfund, Brownfield Cleanup Regs

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DEC LogoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced proposed changes to the State’s regulations for the clean-up of contaminated sites.

The proposals are available for public comment until April 21, 2022, and would create new cleanup standards for the oversight of the emerging contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS), and affect the implementation of the State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, State Superfund and other cleanup programs. [Read more…] about DEC Plans Changes to Superfund, Brownfield Cleanup Regs

Where There’s Wood Smoke, There’s Pollution

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wood smoke from woodstovesA recent upswing in woodstove use might sound yawn-worthy, but recent findings about the dire health effects of wood smoke might mean the long-term future of wood as a heating fuel is in question.

As someone who grew up with wood heat, I assumed it was hands-down one of the most sustainable, eco-positive fuels for home heating. Like many other widely shared conventions, it turns out the veracity of that assumption depends on a lot of things.

How many people burn wood in a given locale is an obvious factor. The number of homes using wood heat rose sharply in the years following the 1998 ice storm which left residents without power for weeks on end. Also no surprise, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of wood heat. [Read more…] about Where There’s Wood Smoke, There’s Pollution

Salt Survey Planned For Lake Placid, Chubb River Watershed

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Mirror Lake provided by AsRAThe Ausable River Association (AsRA) will distribute a salt use survey this winter to residents, businesses, and independent contractors in Lake Placid, Essex County, NY.

Developed with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, the survey hopes to determine the amount of salt entering Mirror Lake and the Chubb River. [Read more…] about Salt Survey Planned For Lake Placid, Chubb River Watershed

NY Farm Champlain Phosphorus Pollution Grants Available

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Lake Champlain bridgeThe Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is seeking proposals for a program that will implement innovative enhancements to best management practices (BMPs) on farms in the New York portion of the Lake Champlain Basin in 2022.

These enhanced BMPs will help reduce phosphorus runoff, a prominent threat to clean water in Lake Champlain. Up to $50,000 is available to support the program. [Read more…] about NY Farm Champlain Phosphorus Pollution Grants Available

Upper Susquehanna Watershed Dashboard Launched

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Upper Susquehanna Watershed Progress DashboardDEC has launched an ArcGIS Dashboard to provide stakeholders with a simple and direct platform to access data and information relevant to the Upper Susquehanna Basin and Chesapeake Bay TMDL in New York State. [Read more…] about Upper Susquehanna Watershed Dashboard Launched

Microplastics: All That Glitters Isn’t Green

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Glitter MicroplasticsWe’re told that diamonds are eternal, but it turns out that glitter, which is just as sparkly and way cheaper, could be equally enduring. Parents, teachers and day-care providers know that despite their efforts to wash the stuff down the drain, glitter will inevitably wind up in their breakfast, their eyes, or on the lapels of their business suit worn to a crucial meeting with the boss.

I never would have imagined that glitter could be a pollutant of concern. At my age I need glasses to find a postage stamp – it’s a long shot that I could help pick up glitter. It seems fair to ask whether there aren’t bigger fish to fry. [Read more…] about Microplastics: All That Glitters Isn’t Green

Polystyrene Foam Ban Updates

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NYS Foam BanEffective January 1st, 2022, no covered food service provider or store (retail or wholesale) will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam in New York state.

In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts) in the state. [Read more…] about Polystyrene Foam Ban Updates

Update On Grasse River Superfund Site Restoration

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freshwater mussels courtesy DECThe Alcoa Massena-West Plant is an aluminum production plant on the north shore of the lower Grasse River. In the 1950s, Alcoa began using and discharging polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Grasse River, contaminating water and sediment. [Read more…] about Update On Grasse River Superfund Site Restoration