Newsletter - August 9 2000

E-Mail Newsletter - August 9, 2000

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Environmental Federation of New England
E-mail Newsletter
The latest news and events from New England’s
top environmental organizations.

VOLUME 1, Issue 7
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org

AUGUST 9, 2000
In this issue:
    1 - Carpe Diem
    2 - Blame It On The Rain
    3 - Lifeguard On Duty
    4 - Bigfoot Beware

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1 - Carpe Diem
Are you a little worried that August has come upon us so quickly and you have yet to enjoy it? Well, it is time to seize the day. Two opportunities to explore New England's great outdoors occur on Saturday, August 19. If canoeing is your thing, try navigating a portion of the Farmington River in Simsbury, CT. The trip, put on by the Farmington River Watershed Association, begins at 9:00 AM and will feature an introductory nature talk. For more info call (860) 658-4442 or visit www.frwa.org. If a low-key hike is more to your liking, drop by Green Hill Park in Worcester, MA at 2:00 PM and see what the East Side Trail has to offer. Guided by a member of the Regional Environmental Council, you will summit Chandler Hill with its sweeping views and stroll along the meandering Coal Mine Brook. For more info call (508) 799-9139 or visit www.ma.ultranet.com/~rec.

2 - Blame It On The Rain
We often hold Mother Nature responsible for many of the problems we face throughout the year. From mud slides and flash flooding to wet basements and bad hair days, we sometimes go overboard in assessing blame. However, it seems that Atlantic salmon may have a case as it relates to their reproductive efforts. For the second year in a row, attempts at restoring Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River have been met with adverse weather conditions. Two years ago, there was not enough rain. This year, there has been too much of it. The effect of this extreme fluctuation has cut the number of spawning salmon 50% over the two year span. For more information on the Connecticut River and its other hard-to-please inhabitants, call the Connecticut River Watershed Association at (413) 529-9500 or visit www.ctriver.org.

3 - Lifeguard On Duty
The dreaded swim test. Most of us had to pass it at one time or another. But has your favorite beach passed its own swimming test? The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with MASSPIRG, has been advocating that strong beachwater quality testing programs be implemented across the state. The programs would require frequent testing using strong, health-based standards, and mandate that the public be informed when the water fails to meet these standards. ELM recently issued a new report on the status of many of the beaches throughout Massachusetts, including health threats, recommendations and survey summaries. Details can be accessed by visiting www.environmentalleague.org or by calling (617) 742-2553.

4 - Bigfoot Beware
Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster would not stand a chance against Vermont's most recently discovered creature. Sightings of Chomp, the "sprawl monster," have been reported throughout the summer, increasing awareness about the planned 16-mile, four-lane Chittenden County Circumferential Highway. According to the Vermont Transportation Alliance (VTA), a coalition of citizens, businesses and environmental organizations, the "Circ," if completed, will cause a slew of environmental problems, including loss of green space and farmland, elimination of irreplaceable sandplain habitat, and damage to over 40 wetland areas. With a current price tag of close to $170 million, the VTA believes that there are better ways to alleviate traffic concerns, including alternative modes of transportation. Instead of additional roads, the VTA would like to see the state make rail, buses, biking, and walking more safe, convenient, and attractive. For more info contact the Vermont office of the Conservation Law Foundation, a member of the VTA, at (802) 223-5992 or visit www.clf.org.

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