Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A state judge has dismissed two lawsuits challenging New York’s delay in finishing its health and environmental analysis of the potential impact of fracking in the state. Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough dismissed both lawsuits, a move state attorney general Eric Schneiderman says is “an important victory in our effort to ensure all New Yorkers have safe water to drink and a clean, healthy environment.” The lawsuits claimed the Department of Environmental Conservation had abused its discretion in delaying completion of its environmental review, which began in July 2008. The suits were filed on behalf of the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Lions, tigers and bears were seized from a Chautauqua County sanctuary. The Department of Environmental Conservation seized 20 exotic animals, saying the owners of JNK’s Call of the Wild Sanctuary in Sinclairville had lost their license in February because the animals were not being properly housed or cared for. The three lions, 12 tigers, three bears, along with two wolves, have already been placed in licensed facilities outside of New York State. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More hemlock woolly adelgid have been found on the Allegheny National Forest. The invasive insect from Asia was found in the West Fork area of the Tionesta Research Natural Area by DCNR personnel on November 20 and confirmed by the state Department of Agriculture on Monday. The hemlock woolly adelgid threatens trees and the biodiversity they support in parks and forests, according to the US Forest Service. An infestation causes environmental changes for some wildlife, fish and plants because of increased light and warmer temperatures when hemlock trees die. The insect was found in Cook Forest and Clear Creek state parks this past spring, and on the forest near the Clarion and Allegheny rivers and Webbs Ferry. The forest service is partnering with The Nature Conservancy, DCNR, game commission, New York Department of Environmental Conservation and New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to develop a strategy for the high Allegheny Plateau of Pennsylvania and Ne...

A Falconer man is facing more than 50 charges in connection to deer jacking. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police have charged 60-year-old Bruce Giddy with 46 violations of environmental conservation law as well as eight counts of reckless endangerment. The investigation started on November 25 of last year when police got a report about a deer being shot and left on school property in Jamestown. Witnesses said the man shot the deer from his vehicle in a residential area and on school property. After DEC Police tracked down Giddy, they linked him to similar incidents where deer had been shot in residential areas and left behind. Each misdemeanor carries a jail term of up to one year and fines range from $200 to $2,000 per charge. He will be arraigned later this month. http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/90233.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Although there is still a moratorium on fracking in New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation has updated the list of drilling companies it may issue permits to if and when the ban is lifted. In Cattaraugus County, Vertical Resources of Sugar Grove intends to drill a Marcellus Shale well in Knapp Creek. Pan Energy Company of Orchard Park intends to drill a Marcellus well in Cherry Creek in the Town of Dayton. DEC says these notices pertain to well spacing requirements only and do not necessarily mean that permits are ready to be issued. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Cattaraugus County couple picked the wrong place to have sex. Sheriff’s deputies say 35-year-old Robert Beatman of Olean and 41-year-old Beckey Livingston of Hinsdale were seen at the New York State DEC fishing access site on Gile Hollow Road at 9:30 Wednesday night engaging in sexual conduct. They were charged with engaging in obscene or indecent conduct at a fishing access site, and issued appearance tickets for Town of Hinsdale Court. The case has been turned over to DEC law enforcement. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

New York environmental regulators are seeking $187,500 in fines against a gas-drilling company for polluting a stream in Allegany State Park. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has filed an administrative complaint against U.S. Energy, saying that storm water runoff from the company’s roads and well pads in the Allegheny National Forest washed a large amount of mud into nearby waterways, including Yeager Creek in the state park. DEC also is requiring US Energy to install storm water and erosion controls to prevent any future water quality damage. http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/79850.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The New York Water Rangers have launched a TV commercial about fracking as the deadline approaches for the comment period on the issue. The Water Rangers is a partnership of environmental and community groups working to protect the state's waters and communities. The commerical will air in Albany during the final week of the public comment period on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation draft drilling proposals, the revised draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement and proposed regulations, both of which would guide fracking if it's permitted in New York. The comment period ends on January 11. "Just like the tens of thousands of New Yorkers calling on Governor Cuomo and other state leaders to slow the rush to 'frack' for the gas trapped under our feet, this six-foot-three water ranger demands your attention and respect. And while this particular New York Water Ranger is funny, fracking is not," said Rob Moore, Executive Di...

A 59-year-old Randolph man has turned himself into authorities after accidentally shooting a school bus Monday morning. William Squire turned himself in this afternoon. He is charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and a DEC violation of firing a shot across a highway. The school bus was hit while traveling along Route 241 in Conewango Monday morning. None of the 35 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade or the bus driver were injured.

A West Valley man is facing charges for trying to shoot a turtle. Sheriff’s deputies say they were questioning 51-year-old John Kiouses about a menacing complaint when he admitted to trying to shoot the reptile . He’s charged with Taking Small Game Out of Season. Kiouses was issued an appearance ticket and the case was turned over to the New York State Department of Conservation Police. Deputies didn’t say how big the turtle was.

As part of its Tree Campus USA initiative, St. Bonaventure University has appointed a Campus Tree Advisory Committee and planned an Arbor Day observance. As announced earlier this semester, St. Bonaventure has earned Tree Campus USA recognition for 2010, capping a yearlong effort to demonstrate its commitment to promoting healthy management of its campus forests and engaging the campus community in that effort. The University is among only about 100 campuses to have received the designation since the program began in 2008. The University’s Arbor Day tree planting will take place at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 29. A sapling donated by Schichtel’s Nursery of Springville will be planted near Shay-Loughlen Hall (parking lot adjacent to the Rathskeller). The University community and the public are invited to attend. To renew the Tree Campus USA designation, the University must annually demonstrate standards of tree care and community engagement. A Campus Tree Advisory Committee was establish...

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C, I-Olean) today said new outdoor wood boiler regulations hurriedly forced by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) without public scrutiny is a travesty that may be illegal. “This is one of the most egregious and appalling regulatory action by a state agency that I have ever witnessed. DEC’s actions are another blow to the upstate economy that hits people and small businesses at a time when they cannot afford more expenses,” Senator Young added. “It's another example of big government gone wild, failing to follow through promises and shoving another expensive mandate down the throats of our struggling taxpayers,” Senator Young added. On Sunday December 19th, the New York State Environmental Board announced a last minute Board meeting on Wednesday to vote on regulations for outdoor wood boilers. Senator Young said the vote took place on a few days notice and just before the Christmas holiday so it would not ...

ALBANY, NY -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the Environmental Board today approved a new regulation that sets stringent performance standards for new outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) sold in the state. The regulation will go into effect 30 days after it is filed with the Secretary of State. The stricter guidelines will ensure that new OWBs burn at least 90% cleaner than older models. "This is about ensuring that new outdoor wood boilers burn cleaner -- not only for people who buy OWBs and their families, but also for their neighbors. It's not unlike the switch to cleaner cars," said Acting DEC Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz. "It's also to ensure that OWB stacks are high enough to disperse emissions rather than having them blow directly into houses and other dwellings. That's important for public health. Also, we have listened to the agricultural community and made appropriate exceptions for farming operations....

New York Governor David Paterson has signed an executive order to stop hydraulic fracturing until July 1. The governor’s order prohibits fracking until the state Department of Environmental Conservation completes a comprehensive review of the fracking process. But, Paterson also vetoed legislation that would have placed a moratorium on high-volume, horizontal hydraulic drilling and more conventional vertical drilling. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/121110PatersonExecutiveO-HydraulicFracturing.html

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says more trees in the Randolph area have been infested with emerald ash borer, a tree-killing beetle first confirmed in New York last year. DEC foresters have detected emerging insects on private woodlands south of Interstate 86, but within the previously established quarantine area. The emerald ash borer is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. Since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, the emerald ash borer has spread to 13 states, including Pennsylvania, and two Canadian provinces and is responsible for the destruction of 70 million trees in the United States alone. After the insect was discovered in Cattaraugus County last year, a multi-agency effort was undertaken to attempt to control its spread. An informational meeting was held last night in Randolph and DEC officials say property owners, and communties, should be read...

More trees in the Randolph area are now infested with the Emerald Ash Borer beetle. In mid-June of last year the New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the destructive beetle had infested about 30 trees just south of Interstate 86. Today, DEC said more trees in the same area are infested. Foresters have detected the insect on private woodlands south of Interstate 86 in an area where trees are already quarantined. The beetle infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. So far, it’s spread to 13 states and two Canadian provinces and is responsible destroying more than 70 million trees. The invasive beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2007 in Butler County, and subsequently was found in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Indiana, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, Mifflin, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Emerald ash borer traps (those purple boxes hanging from trees) can be seen throughout...