Section: Croton-on-Hudson Environment
May 1, 2008
Arrests Made in Connection with Metro North Fuel Spill
The Westchester County Department of Public Safety today filed criminal charges against the Metro-North Railroad and one of its supervisors in connection with a fuel spill at the Harmon Yard in Croton-on-Hudson.
The charges follow an investigation by the county police Environmental Security Unit into a 17,000-gallon spill that occurred on March 29 at the railroad’s Harmon Yard. The investigation revealed that a pipe, which leads to a holding tank system designed to contain such a spill, had been disconnected.
“Protecting the environment and our natural resources is one of our most important responsibilities,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “The Environmental Security Unit, which I created, is one of the key ways we accomplish this.”
Metro-North and its employee are each charged with one count of Endangering Public Health, Safety or the Environment in the 4th Degree, a misdemeanor under New York State Environmental Conservation Law. The charges were filed after consultation with the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The employee who was charged is Kenneth McHale, 56, assistant director of environmental services and compliance. The corporation and McHale were issued appearance tickets requiring them to appear in Croton-on-Hudson village court on May 28, 2008.
The oil spill was discovered March 29 by a railroad employee. The county police Environmental Security Unit was alerted to the spill by the environmental organization Riverkeeper.
“This was a significant spill that occurred near the Hudson River and had the potential of contaminating groundwater in the area,” said Ron Gatto, director of the Environmental Security Unit.
Related:
- “Cleanup Underway at Major Diesel Fuel Spill at Metro North,” April 2, 2008
Tools: 
Print
| 
Comments (0)
April 30, 2008
To Everyone Concerned About Indian Point
To the editor:
Entergy, the multi billion dollar corporation which owns Indian Point has convened a panel to assess the conditions at Indian Point. It is important to understand that this is NOT the Independent Safety Analysis we have been calling for, nor does it have anything to do with re-licensing. However, this panel might be able to suggest improvements in day-to-day operations. The panel is designed to look at current operating conditions at both plants. They have asked that members of the public send their questions and concerns to safety@nyindianpoint.org.
Members of the IPSEC core group attended the meeting on the 28th to observe the proceeding and get a clearer picture of what might be possible and how honest it might be. Individual panel members have assured us that they take their job seriously and will report any safety issues they find. While this may or may not be true, it now seems strategic to give them as much grassroots input as possible. It can be done quickly and easily by email. It is necessary to do this NOW because their evaluations will begin on Monday, May 5th. Anything you can think of that may be a compromise of standards or an environmental threat should be submitted. In theory, the more they see, the more they will dig, and potentially correct.
Your response to this request is important and appreciated in the struggle to close Indian Point. Here is what you need to do NOW:
Continue reading "To Everyone Concerned About Indian Point."
Tools: Print
April 25, 2008
Plastic Bags...They're Everywhere!
Going green now includes new rules for recycling all those plastic bags. NBC’s (and Croton-on-Hudson’s) Rob Kaplan reports in the following video titled, “It’s in the Bag,” on April 24, 2008.
Locally, residents of Croton-on-Hudson can buy reusable shopping bags at ShopRite (South Riverside Avenue) and the A&P Supermarket (Albany Post Road North). As an alternative—and as part of their fundraising efforts—the Croton Free Library sells canvas tote bags while the Croton Harmon High School P.T.A. announced availably of “Croton Goes Green” shopping bags in December/January 2008 issue of CHHS News.
Tools: Print
| Comments (1)
April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day!
To the editor:
On Earth Day we are faced with the intransigence of the Bush Administration and the danger they are unleashing on the environment.
At the same time, we see a panoply of green solutions to our problems, and a growing majority in Congress and the public who are ready to take action.
The Bush EPA may refuse to produce an endangerment finding or regulations for CO2 emissions, but the Arlington High School Action Club did the legwork and brainwork to put photovoltaic solar power on the roof of their school.
The CEOs of the top oil companies testified with straight faces that they don’t know if there is demand for biofuels, but citizens from the 19th District have jammed every forum we have held on biodiesel and other alternatives.
Continue reading "Happy Earth Day!."
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
April 18, 2008
Like a Walk in the Park...for April 19
Photo: neatnessdotcom
Schedule of coming events for the Croton Point Nature Center, Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson.
Earth Day Shore Clean-Up
Join volunteers on on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and help to make a difference by pitching in to keep our Hudson River shorelines free from trash. Work gloves and trash bags provided. Refreshments served. Meet at the nature center.
Please call 914-862-5297 for more information.
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
April 16, 2008
Sustainability Fair Set for April 20th
To the editor:
In celebration of Earth Day, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Croton is sponsoring a Sustainability Fair on Sunday, April 20, from 1 to 5 PM at the Croton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2021 Old Albany Post Rd., Rt. 9A, across from Lupisello’s Garage, just west of the Montrose exit off Rt. 9 onto 9A. Admission is free.
It will feature exhibits and videos on:
- Home Insulation
- Renewable Energy
- Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
- Recycling
- Green Food Purchasing
- Green Home Cleaning and Beauty Products
- Composting
- Sustainable Schools
- Free Trade Coffee
The Westchester Raging Grannies will sing their latest earth-friendly tunes.
Four speakers (20-minute presentations) will discuss:
- Our Planetary Crisis with Peter Callaway
- Reducing Home Energy Costs with Lindsay Audin
- State Financial Help to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with NYSERDA
- Green Legislative Issues, Saving $$ with Sandy Galef
Westchester County’s Veggie Van (which runs on vegetable oil) will be on the site. It’s entertainment for whole family! Climb aboard and enter the world of recycling. For further information, please contact Michelle Rodriguez by email at rodrigoo@optonline.net or by calling 914-238-4181.
Best wishes,
Lindsay Audin
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
Volunteers Sought to Help with Plantings at Mayo's Landing
So, if you’ve been thinking, “Hey, I’d really like to help out on a reforestation project,” you’re in luck. As it happens, through a state grant, Chris Kehoe, Chairman of Croton’s Planning Board applied for a state grant—and received 139 small trees (approximately six inches in height) in addition to 439 shrubs—to be planted on Saturday, May 10, 2008, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Mayo’s Landing on Nordica Drive (map).
Some residents may recall that much erosion has occurred of late on the steep slope that leads Croton residents and anyone with a New York State Department of Environmental Protection (NYSDEC) fishing permit to the banks of the Croton River. The village-owned property remains a very popular destination for bathers and kayakers alike during the summer. As a result of foot traffic and runoff after rainstorms from nearby streets over the years, much of the hillside’s young vegetation has washed away—and in some places, erosion gulleys have been created.
But fear not prospective reforesters, the NYSDEC will have already dug all of the holes by the 10th—so all that remains is for volunteers to place them in the holes, cover them with soil and provide them some water. Those interested are encouraged to please call Janine King, the assistant to the village manager at 914-271-4848.
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
February 12, 2008
Saw Mill Audubon Announces Summer Environmental Scholarships
Saw Mill River Audubon is offering summer scholarships for adults and for youth, age 13 to 17, to pursue environmental studies. The application deadline for 2008 scholarships is March 15, 2008, with awards announced on April 1, 2008. The Audubon summer scholarships are not based on financial need. They are awarded based on the interest the applicant has demonstrated in the environment through schoolwork, volunteer work and other activities. Contact Saw Mill River Audubon at (914) 666-6503 for applications or download them from the Audubon’s web site.
Youth 13-17 years old may apply for Larry Light Memorial Scholarships to attend summer environmental study programs and camps. Established by the Light family and friends in 1980, the Larry Light Memorial Scholarship Fund assists young people who wish to attend a summer camp or seminar with an emphasis on the environment. Examples of programs funded in the past include environmental study trips, college level environmental classes, and camps with a primary focus on environmental study or natural history.
Continue reading "Saw Mill Audubon Announces Summer Environmental Scholarships."
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
February 8, 2008
Teatown's Annual EagleFest Takes Flight Saturday
Area eagle-watchers are invited to attend the Hudson River Eagle Fest, on Saturday, February 9, 11:45 AM at the “Eagle Theater” at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.
The event, presented by Teatown Lake Reservation (event flyer) and Westchester County Parks, runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine. Highlights of the day’s activities include a live birds-of-prey show with Bill Streeter of the Hudson Valley Raptor Center, an outdoor raptor program with falconer Jim Eyring of the Pace Environmental Center, crafts and activities for children, storytelling with master storyteller Jonathan Kruk, eagle’s nest building with Croton Point Nature Center staff, and guided eagle-spotting exploration with environmental educators.
Croton Point Park is located on Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson, Croton Point Avenue exit.
Also, just a stone’s throw away, is Van Cortlandt Manor, featuring Michael Natiello, who will be speaking about “Eagles in Early American Art” at noon and 3:00 PM. Michael is an interpreter at Van Cortlandt Manor, an artist, and the creative director of The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.
In addition, visitors are welcome to explore Van Cortlandt Manor’s grounds to try and spot wild eagles. Spotting eagles is unpredictable, of course, but they can often be seen at Van Cortlandt Manor. In the visitor center, folks can participate in a range of historic hands-on activities, including punching an eagle image into a tin plate and painting an eagle-themed tavern sign. Plus, visitors can write and sketch about their experiences with ink and quill pens. The site is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, while admission is free.
Video: Just a few dozen miles from Manhattan, bald eagles have been re-introduced and are thriving in New York’s Hudson River Valley.
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
October 24, 2007
How Many Crotonites Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
Turning off lights and appliances not in use is one great way to conserve. Using more energy efficient lights and appliances is another. Take the pledge and learn more today at “Change A Bulb.”
CFL bulbs use one fifth to one quarter of the electricity of an equivalent incandescent bulbs. An 11 to 14 watt CFL bulbs gives the same light output as 60 watt incandescent bulb. And CFL bulbs last 6 to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs and have no delicate incandescent filament to burn out.
CFLs are fine in all common light fixtures that presently use incandescent bulbs. They will yield the greatest savings, and avoid problems, if they are installed in indoor sockets where (a) lights are kept on for more than just a few minutes at a time (i.e. most locations except closets) and (b) lights are not controlled by motion sensors or photocells. They will work in outdoor sockets, but may not be as bright as expected when it gets very cold. Their long life makes them especially useful for hard to reach light fixtures.
Continue reading "How Many Crotonites Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?."
Tools: Print
| Comments (2)
October 9, 2007
5 Tricks for a 'Green' Halloween in Croton
Whether you will be be celebrating Halloween by visiting The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor (recently featured in a video from RNN TV), making yummy Halloween recipes, playing tricks, or all of the above, follows is a list of “Five Super-Simple Steps to green Trick-or-Treating” from Green Options, to help you keep it green while keeping it orange.
They say, “Getting your little ghosts and goblins ready for Halloween while attempting to minimize your impact might seem scarier than global warming, but it’s so simple: you’re probably already doing at least one of these things.”
Use reusable candy-collecting bags. Carrying a re-usable bag is a simple and easy while ensuring that large stashes of candy won’t end up all over the street from a less-than-durable plastic bag. Avoid those plastic pumpkins, too. They’re made of petroleum, and you can only use them once a year.
Give out candy alternative as treats. Kids will get enough conventional candy from others. Try healthier alternatives (for both kids and the planet) like honey sticks, fruit leather, granola bars, organic chocolate, or boxes of raisins. Or, avoid food altogether and give pencils, erasers, mini toothpastes, soy crayons, or stickers.
Walk. Don’t drive your kids around. Part of the fun of trick or treating for a youngster is the thrill of walking around the neighborhood at night. Save the gas and get your fill of the night air.
Make your own your costumes. Then, you can avoid the plastic and vinyl monstrosities at the discount store and create your own from things at your house or secondhand stores. Your costumes will cost less, look better, and your kid won’t be one of seventeen “Dora the Explorers” or “Thomas the Tank Engines” you run into.
Pick up after others. After trick or treating, bring a separate bag for your kids to pick up the inevitable candy wrappers left by less-savvy munchkins dressed as litterbugs.
Tools: Print
| Comments (0)
July 16, 2007
What's a Little Glass Between Friends?
Recently, Crotonblog commenter “Gut-C” mentioned four junked cars left in the parking area at Croton’s Echo Canoe Launch.
In fact, the junked cars, pictured below, were left by the Croton Fire Department for an upcoming training exercise.
|
|
|
|
Nearly three weeks later, the cars were removed from the area. However, another Crotonblog commenter, “TeaDrinker,” noticed that glass and auto debris remained scattered on the pavement and grass in the area.
Crotonblog went to the Echo Canoe Launch on Friday, July 13, 2007, found the parking lot conditions to be as described by “TeaDrinker,” and took these photos.
|
|
After leaving the area, Crotonblog stopped at the Department of Public Works to share our findings with them. As we were describing the dangerous and unsightly conditions to the office receptionist—who was unaware of the circumstances—Supervisor Ken Kraft yelled from his office, “I just sent crew down there to clean it after it was reported at 12.”
Since Crotonblog had just been in the area in question, we reiterated our findings. Looking up from his computer, Ken Kraft remarked, “A little bit of glass down there isn’t going to hurt anyone.”
Crotonblog reminded Mr. Kraft politely that any glass and auto debris on the ground was not acceptable in a village recreation area—especially one as sensitive as the Croton River estuary.
Perhaps perceiving that he had said the wrong thing, Mr. Kraft ended the exchange by saying, “I’m not going to go head to head with you. I’ll have to let the fire department know that they have to do a better job of cleaning up their area. Okay?”
As Crotonblog was taking notes outside, Supervisor Kraft appeared with a DPW laborer. Together they got into a DPW pickup truck and, without a word, sped off towards the southern end of the Croton-Harmon train station parking lot—presumably to do the job he had earlier dispatched a DPW crew to do.
See also:
Tools: Print
| Comments (3)