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Entries from February 24th, 2011

DEC Region 5 Forest Ranger Activity Report

February 24th, 2011 · No Comments · News

The latest report of Adirondack search and rescue incidents is a good sampling of the usual hijinks, with snow and cold temperatures thrown in for fun:

  • Slip n’ Fall at AMR
  • He sprinted up Whiteface, then couldn’t feel his hands.
  • Bivouac in the Dix Wilderness
  • Left at Noon and got Trapped on The Dyke.
  • Her group ditched her for the summit.
  • Bonked on Ampersand
  • Fell in a brook, spent the night with a Space Blanket!
  • Collateral-damage from snowmobiling
  • ADK Outing Group splits and leaves senior skiers

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DEC Accepting Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards

February 24th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Annual Competition Will Recognize Innovative and Sustainable Practices

NYSDEC LogoApplications are now being accepted for the 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The program recognizes businesses, governments, not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals in New York State that are achieving environmental excellence through innovative and environmentally sustainable practices or partnerships.

DEC is especially interested in acknowledging projects that achieve significant environmental benefits through: innovative and cutting-edge pollution prevention technologies; manufacturing process improvements; initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; projects using green infrastructure practices; programs that make schools and businesses more “green;” energy conservation and green energy production efforts; waste reduction and recycling efforts; innovative approaches to stormwater management and watershed planning; environmental protection and restoration efforts; and land conservation.

Previous award winners have helped improve New York’s environment through initiatives that have eliminated 2.10 million pounds of hazardous waste, saved 26 million kilowatt hours of electricity; reduced water use by 15 million gallons, recycled 382.5 million pounds of solid waste, and preserved 149,000 acres of open space.

Applications for the awards must be post marked no later than Friday, May 20, 2011. Information about the award program, the application materials and information on past award winners is available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/945.html; or by writing to:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Pollution Prevention Unit
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750

Or by phone to DEC’s Pollution Prevention Unit at (518) 402-9469; or by email to eeawards@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Examples of previous winners include:

The Golden Arrow Resort in Lake Placid instituted green programs on a variety of fronts to reduce the environmental impact not only of the hotel, but also of the traveler. The resort features a “green roof” – a rooftop expanse of native plants that provides wildlife habitat, reduces water runoff and helps keep the inn warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The limestone beach reduces the impacts of acid rain.  Guest rooms feature in-room recycling, insulated windows, energy-efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Garlock Sealing Technologies of Palmyra voluntarily eliminated 119 tons of toluene emissions in the manufacturing of fiber sheet gaskets. By using a non-hazardous solvent to produce a viable product, they provided the industry with a new benchmark for environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. The new gasket is being made at a comparable price and seals even better than its solvent-containing predecessors. This has additional benefits for the environment since tighter seals mean less fugitive emissions and a healthier work environment for employees. Other highlights of this innovative pollution prevention project include a reduction of fire risk and the ability to recover and recycle over 95 percent of the non-hazardous solvent.

Monroe Industries in Livingston County exemplifies how a small, family-owned business of nine employees, can achieve environmental excellence, serve as a model of innovation and sustainability, and enter emerging markets for green products. The company custom manufactures cast-polymer countertops, shower walls and floors, and vanity tops. Traditionally these products are made with a variety of mined minerals and gemstones, such as granite and quartz and are typically mixed with a liquid polyester resin and binder. While developing the Robal Glass product line, Monroe identified a supplier of bio-based resins which resulted in a more sustainable product. This innovative product line uses 60,000 lbs. of recycled glass each year.

Town of North Hempstead was honored for a groundbreaking recycling partnership program involving 8 of the 11 school districts within the Town.  More than 28,000 students have been involved with this comprehensive recycling program. Each classroom in every participating school maintains statistical records of the recyclables collected. As a result, students are becoming environmental stewards; taxpayers are saving money, school districts are receiving the benefit of a worthwhile service they otherwise would have to pay for and 279 tons of material has been diverted from landfills.

2011 Application Brochure (PDF)

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New Logo Unveiled to Celebrate Re-Opening of Lake Champlain Bridge

February 17th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Design Created by 16-Yr-old Hannaford Career Center Student

Lake Champlain Bridge CommunityCrown Point, N.Y./Addison, Vt. – The Lake Champlain Bridge Community, the grassroots organization entrusted to create, plan and lead the public festivities that will celebrate the replacement and re-opening of the Lake Champlain Bridge, is pleased to unveil the logo design that will be used to promote the event.

The Lake Champlain Bridge Community solicited Vermont- and New York-based professional and student graphic artists to submit prospective designs, pro bono. The selected design was created by Linus Biederman, a junior in the Design & Illustration Program at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury, Vt. Linus is a Middlebury resident and the son of William Biederman and Gloria van den Berg. He is also an active member of the Middlebury Union High School varsity boy’s lacrosse team.


The logo will be used on the Community’s website, letterhead, marketing collateral, event materials, and commemorative merchandise promoting the re-opening festivities for the Lake Champlain Bridge.

“We couldn’t be happier with the design chosen. Linus captured the essence of what the Community is all about—the new bridge and its importance in the reunification of the regional communities of Crown Point and Addison, as well as bordering towns on both sides of Lake Champlain,” said Lorraine Franklin, co-chair of the LCB Community and co-owner of West Addison General Store.

Website Design Donated by Wolpin & Associates

A new website design is underway and will be launched by the end of February 2011. The design work is being donated by Wolpin & Associates, based in Bristol, Vt. Wolpin & Associates is the consulting practice of Joyce Wolpin, a marketing and computer specialist. Ms. Wolpin’s skills combine 28 years of direct marketing experience with web site design and development expertise.

“As an unfunded grassroots organization, we don’t have the resources to hire the expertise we needed to give us a presence on the Web,” said Sue Hoxie, communications chair of the Lake Champlain Bridge Community. “Joyce stepped forward and volunteered her services, which we greatly appreciate. Having a professionally-designed website to promote the celebration activities will help educate and attract nearby residents as well as out-of-town visitors to this important regional event.”

About the Lake Champlain Bridge Community

Members of the Lake Champlain Bridge Community include area residents, representatives from local business, historical sites, local governments, and chambers of commerce. The Community can be found on the Web at www.champlainbridgecommunity.org.

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