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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 11
www.GreenForNewEngland.org

OCTOBER 13, 2000
In this issue:
    1 - Friends of New England
    2 - Foliage Fun
    3 - Seize Today
    4 - AWEsome
    5 - Just Across the Way
    6 - Calling All Chestnuts

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1 - Friends of New England
Congratulations to the winners of the Fourth Annual Environmental Friend of New England Awards!  In the Business Category, American National Power (www.anpower.com) and Beals and Thomas (www.btiweb.com) were cited for their dedication to environmental concerns and Julie Belaga, former Regional Administrator of EPA - Region 1, was the Individual Category recipient.  All three winners will be honored at the Awards celebration on Wednesday, October 25, 2000, at the Wyndham Boston Hotel.  For more information contact the Environmental Federation at (617) 542-3363 or via e-mail at awards@GreenForNewEngland.org.

2 - Foliage Fun
We all know that New England has the best Fall foliage.  So naturally, you should go out and enjoy it.  If you do, keep a few things in mind, courtesy of the Appalachian Mountain Club: (1) bring clothing for a variety of temperatures and weather conditions, including a rain coat, an umbrella, and layers for those cool autumn nights, (2) consider familiarizing yourself with the many types of leaves to better understand and appreciate this seasonal extravaganza, (3) watch out for moose!  There are many more moose around these days, don’t forget the safest place to take a picture is from your car.  For these and many other useful foliage trip-planning ideas, visit www.outdoors.org.

3 - Seize Today
Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?  PG & E National Energy Group was recently forced to answer this question.  In an agreement with the Conservation Law Foundation and the MA Department of Environmental Protection, PG & E announced that it would remove unlined wastewater basins at two of its power plants, Salem Harbor Station in Salem, MA, and Brayton Point Station in Somerset, MA.  PG & E, which purchased the power plants two years ago, had intended to replace the basins within a five-year period, but now must do so immediately.  The basins contain fossil fuel combustion waste, including plant wastewaters, plant washwater and coal pile rainwater run-off.  Of particular concern to CLF was the risk to aquatic life in a Brayton Point estuary as well as in Salem Harbor.  PG & E, which has already spent over $500,000 in water quality monitoring and analysis, expects to invest $21 million in the new wastewater system using technologies that will minimize its environmental impact.   For more information, contact CLF at (617) 350-0990 or visit www.clf.org.

4 - AWEsome
Oh, to be a kid again.  Not only could we play in that freshly raked pile of leaves, but we could also take part in the Active Watershed Education Program (AWEsome), funded by the Narrow River Preservation Association.  The curriculum is geared for grades K-8 and informs kids about the importance of their natural resources.   Teachers and their students study watersheds by participating in hands-on science projects and investigating local environmental issues.  Topics include estuaries, non-point source pollution, wildlife inhabitants, and what we can do to help.  If you are interested in instituting this program in a school near you, contact NRPA at (401) 783-6277 or visit www.narrowriver.org.

5 – Just Across the Way
Next weekend consider leaving New England for a quick trip across Lake Champlain to New York.  Join the Lake Champlain Committee for their 37th Annual Meeting on October 21, 2000 at the Sunnywood Estates in Chazy, NY from 10:30 AM until 4:30 PM.  Tours and workshops abound, including nature walks along the Walker Botanical Trail and at 840-acre Point Au Roche State Park, a canoe trip to Isle LaMotte, and roundtable discussions on environmental issues facing the Lake in the 21st Century.  A lunch buffet will also be served, featuring delicacies from local Lake-area proprietors such as Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Klinger's Bread Company, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Prays Farmer's Market, and the Vermont Butter and Cheese Company.  For more information, contact LCC at (802) 658-1414.

6 - Calling All Chestnuts
For most people, ‘chestnuts’ bring to mind Christmas and Nat King Cole's classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)."  Did you know, however, that the American Chestnut Tree was the dominant and most valuable tree species in the eastern United States prior to 1900?  That was until disease struck in 1904 and wiped out over three billion chestnut trees.  Today, the American Chestnut Foundation is trying to locate and preserve the surviving trees that are located throughout the New England area.  If you know of any in your area, or think you might but need help in distinguishing between the different types (American, Chinese, European, and Japanese), contact the ACF at (413) 789-0803 or via e-mail at machapter@acf.org.

RSVP Reminder
The Environmental Federation's Fourth Annual Environmental Friend of New England Awards celebration will be on Wednesday, October 25 at 5:30 PM at the Wyndham Boston Hotel.  If you have not already done so, please RSVP by October 23 at (617) 542-3363 or via our website at www.GreenForNewEngland.org.

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