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This week in conservation
AUGUST 24-30, 2009
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In This Issue:

Local News:
Some Thoughts on the Placement of Wind Turbines

Feature:
THROWING OUT THE THROWAWAY ECONOMY

Calendar:
KAYAK QUEST;
Down By The Shore;
Making Herbal Salves;
More...

Announcement:
Ocean Planning Alert;
Patrick Administration Appoints Advisory Committee to Assess Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Island Plan Update:
Island Plan Open Houses

Biodiesel Update:
A New Test for Business and Biofuel

Water Update:
Wrung-out NE council passes groundfish Amd. 16;
Study: More young sea scallops off northeastern US

Wildlife Update:
Which works better, teeth or hooks?

Climate Change Update:
The Climate and National Security;
The fight over health-care reform could hobble climate-change legislation.

Energy Update:
Drilling Ordeals Said to Delay Geothermal Project
LOCAL NEWS
Some Thoughts on the Placement of Wind Turbines
 By David Nash, VCS Board member
In the Bird News column in the Vineyard Gazette several weeks ago there was a mention of the possible impact of a newly erected land-based wind turbine on barn swallows in a nearby barn. This prompted me to comment that we should be careful where we put these terrestrial turbines. Sue Whiting, the column author, asked if I wanted to expand on my comment for her column with the condition that I keep my remarks directed primarily to avian impacts. The link below is to that column but there is a much broader issue at stake here. http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?22094

Many of us who fully support alternative sources of energy also believe that we must first make deliberate efforts to carefully plan how we impact wildlife, views and people before we cover the Vineyard landscape with wind turbines. Go to the Wind section for the rest of the article
Feature
THROWING OUT THE THROWAWAY ECONOMY
Lester R. Brown
The stresses in our early twenty-first century civilization take many forms—social, economic, environmental, and political. One distinctly unhealthy and visible illustration of all four is the swelling flow of garbage associated with a throwaway economy. Throwaway products were first conceived following World War II as a convenience and as a way of creating jobs and sustaining economic growth. The more goods produced and discarded, the reasoning went, the more jobs there would be.

What sold throwaways was their convenience. For example, rather than washing cloth towels or napkins, consumers welcomed disposable paper versions. Thus we have substituted facial tissues for handkerchiefs, disposable paper towels for hand towels, disposable table napkins for cloth ones, and throwaway beverage containers for refillable ones. Even the shopping bags we use to carry home throwaway products become part of the garbage flow.

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Books/Seg/PB3ch06_ss4.htm

Ideal Bite
Kick the Disposable Battery Habit
Americans buy about three billion household batteries (about 10 per person) annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency—and nearly all of them end up in landfills. The next time you need to power up your gadgets, choose rechargeable batteries instead. Unlike disposable alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries can be reused hundreds of times, which not only saves money and resources, but also reduces global warming pollution associated with battery manufacturing and transport.

Courtesy of Greentips online, Union of Concerned Scientists.

 

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Calendar
KAYAK QUEST
August—September, KAYAK QUEST, Felix Neck Sanctuary, Tuesdays & Fridays 1:00 - 3:30 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 9:00 - 11:30 am 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 1:30 - 4:00 pm Enjoy Sengekontacket Pond at your own pace on this self-guided tour. The Quest clues will help you uncover the story of the pond’s people, places and wildlife. Your Quest ends after you find the hidden Quest box. Kayaks, paddles, lifejackets and Quest materials are all included. Fee: $30M, $40NM per boat (all equipment included)
Down By The Shore
Mon, Aug 24, Down By The Shore: an outdoor nature program for adults and children begins at 10 a.m at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown. Also on Wednesday and Thursday. Cost is $9, $6 for Mass Audubon members. Children under 3 free. For details call 508-627-4850.
Making Herbal Salves
Tues, Aug 25, Making Herbal Salves, Polly Hill Arboretum,1pm–3pm Holly Bellebuono of Vineyard Herbs returns to PHA for her popular salve making workshop. This fun hands-on workshop starts with a walk to identify and collect medicinal herbs. Afterwards participants make their own oil infusions and beeswax-based ointments. Learn practical knowledge on when and how to use herbal slaves, and take home your useful creation. Supplies included. $40/$35 for PHA members. Please register in advance.508-693-9426.
Creature Feature: Clams
Tues, Aug 25, Creature Feature: Clams. Kid's program includes story, craft, and live creatures from 10 a.m. to noon at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary for ages 3 to 5 with a parent or friend. Cost is $9, $6 for members For details, call 508-627-4850.
Guided Kayak Tour at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Tues, Aug 25, Guided Kayak Tour at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about the natural history of saltwater communities found on Martha’s Vineyard. Cost is $28 for members, $35 for non-members. Registration is required. For details, call 508-627-4850.
Down Island Farmer's Market
Tues, Aug 25, Down Island Farmer's Market is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is at the Tisbury Wharf, 144 Beach Road. Fresh produce, prepared delicacies, local cheeses and Island-made dog biscuits. For details, call 508-693-9300.
Marine Discovery Tour of Oak Bluffs Harbor
Tues, Aug 25, Marine Discovery Tour of Oak Bluffs Harbor with Felix Neck in a Coast Guard licensed vessel, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40, $30 for Mass Audubon members, $4 for children 8 and under. Registration required, call 508-627-4850.
Creature Feature: Hermit Crabs
Wed, Aug 24, Creature Feature: Hermit Crabs 10:30–11:30 am, Felix Neck, Edgartown. Close-up look at native creatures; ages 3-5 with guardian. $9; $6 members. 508-627-4850.
Corn Husk Figurine Craft
Wed, Aug 24, Corn Husk Figurine Craft 1–3 pm, Aquinnah Cultural Center. $10. 508-645-7900.
Toddler Time
Wed, Aug 24, Toddler Time,10 a.m. to noon at Native Earth Teaching Farm, 94 North Road in Chilmark, with animal visits and farm crafts. Weather permitting. The farm is also open for tours Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details, call 508-645-3304 or see nativeearthteachingfarm.org.
If Trees Could Talk
Thurs, Aug 27, If Trees Could Talk, Polly Hill Arboretum 10–11:30amDawn redwood, dove tree, and franklinia are just a handful of the trees growing at the Arboretum with engaging stories of how they secured a place in gardens and in the history of plant exploration. If our trees could talk, they might share accounts of faraway forests, botanical adventures, and intrepid plant explorers. Join Collections and Grounds Manager Tom Clark on a walking tour of the Arboretum where he will reveal some of the fascinating stories behind these and other beloved plants. $5/free to PHA members.
Sheriff's Meadow Foundation Monthly Walk Series
Thurs, Aug 27, Sheriff's Meadow Foundation Monthly Walk Series will be held at Phillips Preserve in Tisbury at 10 a.m. Guided walk led by executive director Adam Moore. Pre-registration required; call 508-693-5207 to register and get directions.
Marine Discovery Tour of Oak Bluffs Harbor
Thurs, Aug 27, Marine Discovery Tour of Oak Bluffs Harbor with Felix Neck in a Coast Guard licensed vessel, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40, $30 for Mass Audubon members, $4 for children 8 and under. Registration required, call 508-627-4850.
Corn Husk Figurine Craft
Sat, Aug 29, Corn Husk Figurine Craft 1–3 pm, Aquinnah Cultural Center. $10. 508-645-7900.
Wampanoag Tool Demos
Sat, Aug 29, Wampanoag Tool Demos 11 am–3 pm, Aquinnah Cultural Center. Pipe carving and Muhsh8n burning with Jonathan Perry. 508-645-7900.
Alpaca Farm Open House
Sat, Aug 29, Alpaca Farm Open House 12 noon–4 pm, Island Alpaca Company, Oak Bluffs. Walking tour, video presentation, meet baby alpaca. $5. 508-693-5554; islandalpaca.com.
Alpaca Farm Open House
Sun, Aug 30, Alpaca Farm Open House 12 noon–4 pm, Island Alpaca Company, Oak Bluffs. Walking tour, video presentation, meet baby alpaca: $5. Beginning knitter’s workshop: $45. 508-693-5554; islandalpaca.com.
 
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Announcement
Ocean Planning Alert
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
August 17, 2009

A fifth formal public hearing on the draft management plan has been scheduled. Formal public hearings for the draft ocean management plan have been scheduled as follows:

  • September 14
    7:00 pm
    Exchange Conference Center, Boston Fish Pier 212 Northern Avenue, Boston
  • September 15
    7:00 pm
    New Bedford Public Library, Main Meeting Room 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford
  • September 16
    7:00 pm
    Tilden Arts Center Main Theater, Cape Cod Community College 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable
  • September 17
    7:00 pm
    Kyrouz Auditorium, Gloucester City Hall 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester
  • September 23
    6:00 pm
    Katharine Cornell Theater 51 Spring Street, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven)

Public comments on the draft ocean management plan are currently being accepted and, pursuant to the Oceans Act of 2008, must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, November 23, 2009 (please note that this new deadline reflects the addition of the September 23 public hearing). *The draft plan includes the possibility that up to 170 wind turbines could be located off Martha's Vineyard.

Submit written comments on the draft plan to:
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Re: Draft Ocean Management Plan
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114

To provide online comments on the draft plan, see the Ocean Plan Public Input Portal comments page at http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/mop/commentonline.aspx. The draft plan is available online at http://www.mass.gov/eea/mop.
Patrick Administration Appoints Advisory Committee to Assess Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Group will advise on ways to protect coastlines, resources, and infrastructure, and to strengthen the Commonwealth's economy in the face of climate change

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles today launched a new Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee to advise the Commonwealth on strategies for adapting to sea level rise, warming temperatures, increased incidence of flood and drought and other predicted effects of climate change.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoeeapressrelease
&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eoeea&b=pressrelease
&f=090604_pr_cca_committee&csid=Eoeea
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Island Plan Update
Island Plan Open Houses

Find out about the draft version of the Island Plan and discuss it with members of the Steering Committee at one of three open houses to be held on:

Wednesday August 26 from 4 to 7pm, Saturday, August 29 from 10am to 1pm, or Monday, August 31 from noon to 3 pm.

The Open Houses will be held at the Martha's Vineyard Commission offices, 33 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs.

The draft version of the Island Plan was released last week. Copies are available online at www.islandplan.org, as well as from town halls, libraries, and the MVC offices.

For information, please go to the website or call 508-693-3453. The Island Plan Steering Committee invites comments on both the content and the presentation of this Draft version of the Martha's Vineyard Island Plan from town boards, Island organizations, and members of the public by the end of September 2009, so the document can be revised and finalized by the end of the year.

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Biodiesel Update
A New Test for Business and Biofuel
By KIRK JOHNSON
Published: August 16, 2009
NY Times

IGNACIO, Colo. — An unusual experiment featuring equal parts science, environmental optimism and Native American capitalist ambition is unfolding here on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in southwest Colorado.

With the twin goals of making fuel from algae and reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases, a start-up company co-founded by a Colorado State University professor recently introduced a strain of algae that loves carbon dioxide into a water tank next to a natural gas processing plant. The water is already green-tinged with life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/
business/energy-environment/17algae.html?_r=1&hpw
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Water Update
Wrung-out NE council passes groundfish Amd. 16
 Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 36 Number 12
August 2009

PORTLAND, ME – Roughly 200 exhausted people sat in a hotel meeting room June 24-25 as the New England Fishery Management Council worked its way through dozens of decisions for Amendment 16 to the federal groundfish plan. It was an awful two days.

With each successive vote, the groundfish fishery moved closer to what it will look like in 2010, when fishermen will be split between sectors and the common pool.

http://www.fish-news.com/cfn/editorial/editorial_8_09/
Wrung-out_NE_council_passes_groundfish_Amd_16.html
Study: More young sea scallops off northeastern US
By MICHELLE R. SMITH
Associated Press Writer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A survey of the sea scallop population off the Eastern seaboard released Monday shows an upswing in the number of young scallops in a key fishing area in the Northeast, which could be a good sign for several years to come.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/
R/RI_SCALLOP_SURVEY_MAOL-?SITE=MAHYC
&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
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Wildlife Update
Which works better, teeth or hooks?
By Marnie Stanton, Vineyard Conservation Almanac
This summer once again I took the opportunity to do my annual trek up to Alaska to meet my husband in his second home. As a retired electrician he typically spends from early June until mid-August up in the “Great Land.” His original connection with Alaska goes back to the 1970’s and the building of the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay, ‘the slope,’ north of the artic circle, all the way down through multiple mountain ranges to the port of Valdez. It is truly a huge feat for mankind, given the treacherous terrain, long distances and temperatures that plummet to –70 below.

Alaska is magnificent in its grandeur and just about everywhere you look you can see snow covered mountain ranges, glaciers and wildlife. Surprisingly the wildlife sightings are particularly prevalent in Anchorage where the grizzly bears have been known to hang out in the parks, and the moose bed down in your yard. Go to the Wildlife section for the rest of the story
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Climate Change Update
The Climate and National Security
Editorial
Published: August 17, 2009
NY Times
One would think that by now most people would have figured out that climate change represents a grave threat to the planet. One would also have expected from Congress a plausible strategy for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that lie at the root of the problem.

That has not happened. The House has passed a climate bill that is not as strong as needed, but is a start. There are doubts about whether the Senate will pass any bill, given the reflexive opposition of most Republicans and unfounded fears among many Democrats that rising energy costs will cripple local industries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/
opinion/18tue1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Cap and Rage
Editorial
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Washington Post
The fight over health-care reform could hobble climate-change legislation.

THE RANCOROUS debate over health reform has given voice to considerable uneasiness among Americans. Many are worried about how a new system will be paid for in an economy that has unraveled, and they are anxious about a kudzu-like expansion of an already unwieldy bureaucracy. Given the herculean effort it will take to get President Obama's vision of reform through Congress, we're not convinced that the Senate will have the stomach to tackle cap-and-trade legislation this fall. The growing agitation within the chamber over the creation of another complex system to buy, sell and trade pollution credits only adds to our doubts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702477.html
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Energy Update
Drilling Ordeals Said to Delay Geothermal Project
By JAMES GLANZ
Published: August 19, 2009
NY Times
The Obama administration’s first major test of geothermal energy as a significant alternative to fossil fuels has fallen seriously behind schedule, several federal scientists said this week, even as the project is under review because of the earthquakes it could generate in Northern California.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/
us/20alta.html?_r=1&hp
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