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 Rochester
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Photograph: Putting in near Cuylerville
Clean Water
by Laura Arney
Water is the next currency; in other words,
gold. In fact it is worth more than gold. All human, animal and plant processes
are dependent on abundant clean water.
World population is growing and putting
pressure on all water resources. People live in regions of drought and desert.
People live in areas where well water is depended on. City and Towns utilize
water from lakes and rivers. Governments develop public services which ensured
water is clean and available to the community. This water hasn’t always been
free but it hasn’t been commercialized and sold to the highest bidder, until
recently.
Privatizing Water
PBS recently broadcast a POV (Point of View)
program July 13, 2004, called Thirst. It showed demonstrations going on right
now around the world-India, South America, Africa. Some cities and Villages have
sold their water systems to private businesses. As a result some people who used
to get water easily cannot afford to buy it. They feel that their water has been
taken away from them, and so they protest.
Our Lakes
When we talk about Clean Water, it is not just
another pretty slogan by environmentalists. Clean Water is the one resource that
historically has determined where people lived. Rochester’s adjacent lakes made
this region a desirable place to live. In this year of plenty of water, we could
easily dismiss the issue as irrelevant. But even in this plenty, water that
falls from the sky can already be contaminated and is quickly mixed with water
in lakes and streams that are often polluted. Water is still vulnerable.
Protecting our Water
Where are those people who want clean water in
Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, Conesus Lake? These are all drinking water
sources. Fishing is prime. Who wants industry, (including local Eastman Kodak)
to be held accountable for taking clean water and returning dirty water? If we
do not have on-the-ground watchers, citizens and DEC alike, who else will care
enough for our water?
Please find time in your busy day to write to
DEC at both the state and local levels to call for more testing and monitoring
oversight at places such as Kodak King’s Landing waste water treatment plant. Be
sure to include your own specific concerns. Address your letters to the
officials listed below. E-mail message may be made at the DEC website:
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/about/emailform.html .
Clean Air and Clean Water
Book Report
Lost Mountain, A Year in the vanishing Wilderness, radical strip mining and the
devastation of Appalachia.
Author, Erik Reece, forward by
Wendell Berry
Riverhead Books (Penguin Group
USA, Inc.), New York 2006
Kentucky mountaintop coal mining put on display
by English prof who visited worksites and witnessed the removal of forests,
bulldozing of topsoil and overburden, shoving it over the ridge into the valley
and waterways-creeks-which are headwaters of river. Insult to economy and
environment, putting homes and lively hoods of residents and stripping the area
of habitat and sustainability. It is written as an experience with limited
history and technical information. Important book for showing what we do when we
accept coal-generated electricity. Easy quick read. Recommended by Laura E.
Arney
Issues we are working on:
- Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, a
Watershed Conservation Issue? Should we preserve the special
protection both lakes have had over the years now that they are at risk
because of developmental pressures and city debts? Hemlock and Canadice
Lakes, the minor or “little finger” lakes, are in the western side of the
Finger Lakes region. They are currently water supply sources for the city of
Rochester, NY, some 29 miles to the north.
- Genesee River Recreation - The Rochester Regional Sierra Club project for
Rediscovering the Genesee River began in 2001 as a way to highlight the
recreational opportunities for our closest waterway. The Adirondacks and
Finger Lakes are wonderful New York state assets but why is our Genesee River
not utilized for recreation? After several years of canoeing the various
sections on the river, I have come to realize that there are many people who
love this river, paddle it, and are fascinated by its variability by season
and its personality by region.
My philosophy: In order to make any difference, I want my committee to work
on specific and concrete items. Theoretically, air emissions (by industry)
permitting can be negotiated between the EPA/DEC and industry. Basically
industry tells the regulators what they want and the regulators seek to
accommodate them. However, that leaves out the general public. Air pollution is
generally not thought of as a serious problem in Rochester, Monroe County. The
air does not look dirty, cloudy in specific areas, or smoggy. Perceptions are
everything. In actuality, there are several plants that emit TONS of air
pollutants. I will seek to make a case for clean air for everyone, especially
those people that live close to industrial and electric generating power plants.
Activity: Air Quality is not just an
issue for people in Los "Angeles or Houston, it is an issue for the people in
New York State as witnessed by the acid rain which affects Adirondack lakes and
the people of Rochester who continue to suffer from asthma. This committee
is embarking on an effort to improve Rochester air quality by participating in
the air emissions permit renewal process is presently underway.
Title V of the Clean Air Act
intends to "improve the compliance with existing air regulations" This is
the year for the power plants at Kodak and RG&E to seek re-authorization for
their air discharges under Title V. The federal EPA the the NY State DEC
have incorporated citizen participation in their regulatory scheme.
Furthermore if citizens do NOT participate, it will be assumed that the citizens
approve of the measure taken by these agencies. It is in the interests of
the environment and democratic government that we be a part of the solution to
our pollution problems.
Specifically, we need
reviewers, people willing to learn about the issues and the generalities.
Study and commenting can be done at home with telephoning and e-mail
conveniences. Face-to-face meetings will be limited. Our goal
with be to submit written comments on permits to the DEC as a committee.
The philosophy of "think globally, act locally" can be put into action.
Please call Laura E. Arney at 334-8548 to help this committee make a difference.
Measurable outcome:
- PAST- Gathering historical data on the air quality monitoring in the
Rochester region.
- PRESENT- Produce a public comment document to present to the DEC outlining
public interest in improving current air quality in the Rochester region.
- FUTURE- Set up network (especially Sierra Club) through the NY region to share
information on air quality.
        
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