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New Jersey Enlists Help to Combat Invasive Species TRENTON, New Jersey, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - Invasive plants, insects and other organisms not native to New Jersey are so damaging to the state's biological diversity and economy that on Friday, Governor James McGreevey established the New Jersey Invasive Species Council to develop comprehensive measures to fight them.“Ensuring the protection of New Jersey’s rich biological diversity is an essential component of my smart growth initiatives. The health of our natural environment is essential for our quality of life and for our economic vitality,” said McGreevey, signing the Executive Order that established the council. The new Invasive Species Council, co-chaired by DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell and Department of Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus is expected to develop a New Jersey Invasive Species Management Plan to be submitted to the governor by June 2005. The governor signed the Executive Order after accepting a new Department of Environmental Protection report that, for the first time, details the substantial problems posed by harmful invasive plant species, which crowd out native species and damage wetlands, uplands, lakes and rivers. There are more than 1,000 nonindigenous plants in New Jersey that have been introduced from Europe and Asia. The report includes fact sheets on 29 nonindigenous plants documented to invade and establish native plant communities in New Jersey. The governor said that establishment of the Invasive Species Council will ensure that a comprehensive approach by all affected state agencies, as well as the horticultural, conservation and academic communities, is taken to address the serious economic and ecological threat. Invasive species threaten New Jersey’s agricultural resources through lost production and marketability for agricultural products. McGreevey did not give a precise figure for New Jersey, but nationally, damage from invasive species cost $123 billion annually. The hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid like insect native to China and Japan, poses a catastrophic risk to all 26,000 acres of hemlock forest in the state. Among the plant species detailed in the new report is the Norway maple tree, which is still one of the most commonly planted street trees in New Jersey. Unlike most invasives that move into habitats disturbed by people, the Norway maple also invades undisturbed habitats and outcompetes other species. The Norway maple is highly effective in replacing diverse native hardwood forests because of its prolific seed production, tolerance to shade and aggressive competition. Purple loosestrife is one of the most widespread invasive plants in New Jersey, invading wetlands and posing a direct threat to several state and federally endangered species. It occurs abundantly in wetlands throughout the state, except in the Pine Barrens where it occurs only rarely, in ditches and recently disturbed wetlands. Some invasives are commercially sold, including Japanese barberry, offered as an ornamental shrub. Since it can tolerate low light, it invades deep into forests with closed tree canopies. The most efficient way of controlling invasives, says the DEP, is to prevent them from entering the state or eradicating them before they become entrenched and prolific. The report, An Overview of Nonindigenous Plant Species in New Jersey, is available on the DEP’s website: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/InvasiveReport.pdf
New Mexico Embraces Renewable Energy SANTA FE, New Mexico, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - In the state of New Mexico, a new law requires that renewable energy must make up no less than five percent of retail electricity sales by 2006, increasing at one percent per year and leveling off at 10 percent by 2011.Called a renewable portfolio standard, the state joins others such as Texas in requiring investor-owned electric utilities to make a serious commitment to renewable energy. It does not apply to rural facilities or urban municipal utilities. Governor Bill Richardson, a former energy secretary in the Clinton administration, was delighted with the new law, which he signed Thursday at the New Mexico Audubon Society’s Randall Davey Center in Santa Fe. “I am here today to say New Mexico can have it all," Richardson said. "We can build a prosperous, high wage economy, we can become a leader in renewable energy production, we can have responsible development and create beautiful parks to honor our history and culture and provide recreation for our families. We can do all this, and protect and preserve our environment and precious natural resources." Richardson also signed into law the Advanced Energy Technology Development Act which sets up an investment program to fund hydrogen and other cutting-edge energy technologies. "Through this energy fund, we are going to convert schools, state buildings, and non-profits to clean energy sources," the governor said. Another clean energy bill became law, too, the Excise Tax Abatement for Fuel Efficient Vehicles. "We’re going to encourage people to use more fuel-efficient vehicles, and we’re going to give them money to do it, in a way, said Richardson. "This does several things at once - helps reduce pollution, invests in new technology, and saves people money." Richardson also announced an investment in state parks, $5.7 million dollars in capital and operating costs to create, expand, and improve state parks across New Mexico. The state has appropriated $1.7 million to purchase land for new parks or expand existing parks. In addition, $2 million was earmarked to build and operate New Mexico’s 33rd state park - Mesilla Valley Bosque Park in Dona Ana County. "We are working to build a partnership among the State Parks Division, private landowners, the International Boundary and Water Commission, Bureau of Land management, and the Elephant Butte Irrigation District to manage the park," the governor said.
Oregon Water Quality Standards Upgraded PORTLAND, Oregon, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the water quality standards for the state of Oregon submitted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), both agencies announced last week.The revisions, which include a complete update of water temperature standards to protect salmon and trout, are the result of years of work among federal, state and tribal officials, scientists, industry, and public interest groups. The new standards take effect immediately. DEQ Director Stephanie Hallock said new standards are the culmination of "long term efforts between EPA, federal fisheries agencies, DEQ and others to address serious water quality and fish habitat issues in Oregon and make significant improvements." As a result of the new standards, all water quality permits in Oregon will, upon renewal, need to meet more protective targets for temperature. The new temperature standards lower the acceptable temperature in many rivers and streams, and raise the temperature limit for other streams, based on the latest reliable scientific data. Previously, DEQ used a temperature standard of 64 degrees Fahrenheit on most of the state's streams and rivers. The DEQ will use the new temperature standards in its future listing of impaired water bodies in the state and for its issuance of pollution load limits (known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Oregon rivers and streams. The new standards will affect virtually all point of discharge pollution and all nonpoint pollution sources in the state, including agriculture and forestry. The new standards also include methods that implement Oregon's anti-degradation policy, which requires that proposed new or increased pollution discharges must go through a water degradation review by DEQ before they're allowed to occur. The review balances the need for the discharge against the water quality degradation that might occur as a result of the discharge. The revised standards approved March 2 clarify that policy. In addition, the new standards include revisions to criteria for inter-gravel dissolved oxygen levels for further protection of salmon and trout spawning. The new standards are the result of extensive public review and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Northwest tribal governments, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the DEQ.
EPA's approval of the DEQ Standards, which were adopted by the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission last December 4, means that EPA does not need to issue final water quality standards for the state. In response to a March 2003 court decision, EPA was directed to either approve revised state standards or issue federal standards by March 2, 2004.
Gateway to Westchester Preserved as Open Space ALBANY, New York, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - Nearly 200 acres of open space in the Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, will be preserved as parkland and protected from future development, Governor George Pataki said Friday. The unique parcel, known as Taxter Ridge, is the largest undeveloped tract of land in Westchester County. Known as the Gateway to Westchester it features natural rock ledges, woodlands, streams, and wetlands.“By acquiring this land, the largest open and undeveloped space in Westchester County, we are safeguarding precious natural resources while expanding outdoor opportunities for families in and around the region,” Governor Pataki said. More than 320 years old, Westchester County, just north of New York City is filled with ranch homes, split levels, and clapboard and stone colonials. Commuters entrain to the city daily and return to the leafy suburbs at night. But developers are always seeking new land, and the state is cooperating with the county and conservationists to preserve this unique remaining parcel. The governor was joined in making the announcement by local officials from Westchester County, the Town of Greenburgh and the Village of Tarrytown, as well as representatives from the Trust for Public Land, and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano said, “This culminates a three year effort by the county to preserve this property, one of the largest undeveloped parcels in lower Westchester. It is superbly situated to link existing nearby major trailways and parkland - the Old Croton Aqueduct State Trailway, the county's RiverWalk along the Hudson River, the Greenburgh Town Nature Preserve, the county's V.E. Macy Park and the recently acquired Westwood Property. Thanks to the team effort of the state, county, town and village, an incredible parcel of land has been preserved.” Paul Feiner, Town of Greenburgh Supervisor, said, “This is one of the most important parcels of land to preserve in the entire region. It is one of the largest tracts of open space available. It's great that we are able to keep it from being developed. I'll be asking the town board within the next month to pass legislation so that it will remain as permanent parkland.” The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national non-profit land conservation organization, negotiated the purchase agreement among the State, Westchester County and the Town of Greenburgh, with each contributing one-third of the purchase price. The Village of Tarrytown also will acquire a 17-acre portion for $26,115 as part of the agreement. The state’s share of the total $10.9 million purchase is $3.6 million, which will be provided through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. Kate Garrett, project manager for TPL, said, “The size and value of this property made a partnership critical for its protection. We are delighted that this important resource is now available for generations to come, linking to and expanding existing recreational resources in Westchester County.” Danny Gold, Chairman, Committee to Preserve Taxter Ridge, said, “The citizens of our community are extremely grateful for the tremendous support we have received from our New York State officials, our Westchester County leaders and our local Town of Greenburgh officials. Their efforts to preserve 200 acres of open space that will be parkland for our children and grandchildren and many generations to come is something we can all be very proud of.” In his State of the State message in January, Governor Pataki set forth an ambitious goal to acquire one million acres of open space by the end of the decade.
Guilty Plea Resolves Dry Cleaning Solvent Case LOS ANGELES, California, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - A West Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to five environmental crimes related to a conspiracy to improperly store and transport hazardous chemicals, primarily the dry cleaning solvent known as PERC, a cancer causing chemical that is the number one contaminant of groundwater in southern California.The crimes involved AAD Distribution and Dry Cleaning Services, Inc., one of the largest handlers of dry cleaning waste in California until it was shut down in January 2001. Behzad Kahoolyzadeh, who also used the names Behzad Cohen and David Cohen, pleaded guilty Thursday in United States District Court in Los Angeles to two counts of illegal transportation of hazardous waste and two counts of illegally storing hazardous waste. The guilty pleas were announced by Thomas Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, and Debra Yang, the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles. Kahoolyzadeh and two co-defendants were associated with AAD based in Vernon. The company charged dry cleaners to pick up, treat and arrange for the disposal of perchloroethylene (PERC). According to a plea agreement, Kahoolyzadeh began negotiating to purchase the company from president Homayoun “Harry” Pourat and vice president Hormoz Pourat in January 2000. At that time, the AAD facility had been cited repeatedly by state and city inspectors for storing more hazardous waste than was allowed under the facility’s hazardous waste permit. To hide additional permit violations from inspectors, Kahoolyzadeh joined the Pourat brothers and ordered AAD employees and others to load drums filled with PERC waste onto trucks, transport them off-site, and then store them at other facilities, including sites in Chino and Paramount, California that were not permitted to store hazardous wastes. The cleanup costs for AAD and the other facilities that were illegally storing AAD's PERC wastes totaled more than $1 million, Sansonetti said. Kahoolyzadeh pleaded guilty before United States Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski, who is scheduled to sentence the defendant on August 24. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of the five felony charges. He could also be fined up to $250,000 for each violation and ordered to pay restitution for the cleanup costs at AAD and other facilities. Hormoz Pourat of Encino previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced by United States District Judge Consuelo Marshal on December 2, 2003 to 37 months in prison. Homayoun Pourat fled to Scotland after indictment and committed suicide in February 2003. “The EPA. and other agencies regulate the transportation and storage of hazardous wastes for a reason - they are dangerous chemicals that can harm the environment and human health,” said Yang. “Ignoring our nation’s environmental laws can lead to serious injury and can land the perpetrators in prison.
False Pet Pesticides Ordered Off the Market SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - Counterfeit flea and tick pesticide products for use on pets are on the market in California and Hawaii, but not for long. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered distributors and retailers in these states to stop selling the counterfeit products and is warning retailers and consumers against purchasing any counterfeit pesticide products.The order applies to Advantage and Frontline products for control of fleas and ticks on dogs and cats allegedly sold by Pang & Son, a company in Honolulu. The counterfeit pesticides appear to have been unlawfully imported and packaged in retail cartons designed to look similar to legitimately registered pesticides sold in the United States. The EPA's investigation indicates that the counterfeit products have been sold to distributors and retailers throughout the country. "Without proper pesticide registration, we just don't know what is being sold," said Pam Cooper, the EPA's pesticide section chief for the Pacific Southwest region. "Consumers want to be assured that the product they purchase will be effective and meets U.S. product guidelines." The only way to determine a legitimate Advantage product from a counterfeit product is by examining the actual applicator tubes that are inside the carton, the EPA says. Since the directions for use on the outer box and instruction leaflet of the legitimate product and the counterfeit product are identical, check the language that is printed on the applicator tubes. The legitimate Advantage products all contain applicator tubes that are printed in English. The most obvious sign of a counterfeit product is that the applicator tubes are printed in a foreign language, most likely French or German. The legitimate applicator tubes include the EPA Registration Number, the signal word WARNING, and the child hazard warning - Keep Out of Reach of Children. Counterfeit applicator tubes may lack this information. In addition, the consumer cannot be assured that the pesticide dosage is correct for the animal described on the retail carton. Pet owners who are concerned about their animals should contact their veterinarian. Legitimate Advantage and Frontline products that have undergone the EPA's comprehensive review process are registered for use in the United States, and are not affected by this action. The EPA is continuing its investigation of other potential counterfeit and illegal products on the market being sold through other distributors and retailers. The EPA has alerted Bayer Corp. and Merial Ltd., makers of Frontline and Advantage, regarding the flood of counterfeit products currently on the market. The counterfeit products may be different from legitimate Advantage and Frontline products in several ways. EPA has posted detailed information, including photos of legitimate products, at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm.
Pet Birds from U.S. Banned Abroad WASHINGTON, DC, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - Americans planning to travel out of the country with their pet birds are advised that because of avian flu concerns, many countries have temporarily banned the importation of birds, including pet birds, from the United States.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it is still issuing permits under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for the export of pet birds, but the agency encourages international travelers to contact the country or countries they plan on visiting regarding any new restrictions. European Union member nations Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia either temporarily have banned or may ban the importation of such birds until further notice. Contact information for most foreign authorities may be found on the CITES website at: http://cites.org/common/directy/e_directy.html. Additional information and updates may also be obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov; click on "hot issues."
Koko and Robin Williams Team to Save Gorillas WOODSIDE, California, March 8, 2004 (ENS) - Koko, a gorilla famous for her communication skills, shares the spotlight with actor and comedian Robin Williams in a new ad campaign for the Gorilla Foundation."Meeting Koko was unforgettable," said Williams. "Koko used sign language to ask me to play with her. We shared interspecies laughter. I realized how important the work of the Gorilla Foundation is for the future of Koko and her species." Williams has since become an Honorary Co-Chair for the Gorilla Foundation's campaign to create the Maui Ape Preserve. The preserve is planned for 70 acres of land provided by the Maui Land and Pineapple Company in a secluded location, and a unique high-tech Visitor Education Center in a convenient tourist location. It is intended as the first tropical gorilla sanctuary outside of Africa and will provide a suitable home for Koko, her family and other gorillas desperately in need of protection. The Gorilla Foundation is running the Koko-Robin Williams ad campaign to raise awareness of the serious threats to the survival of gorillas, an endangered species. All great ape species except humans are in imminent danger of extinction. Williams learned about the urgency of the situation after meeting Koko and Dr. Penny Patterson, president and research director of the Gorilla Foundation. Patterson has spent more than 30 years working with Koko as part of a two way communication project with gorillas. "Koko instantly connected with Robin," she said. "Koko, like us, can sense a person's nature and in this case, she was quickly drawn to Robin's warm heart." "Thousands of gorillas like Koko are killed every year by poachers in the illegal bushmeat trade," said Williams. "At this rate, free living gorillas could be wiped off the Earth in a few years." "We appreciate Robin's important contribution to our goal of raising awareness about the plight of gorillas and his interest in helping us develop a primate sanctuary on Maui. This preserve will become the home for Koko and her male companion, Ndume, and will be available as a resource for welfare and conservation management of endangered primates in the future," Patterson said. Koko uses a modified form of American Sign Language to communicate with humans. She knows over 1,000 words of sign language and has a working vocabulary of 500, which she uses in complex phrases. She also understands over 2,000 words of spoken English. Koko has become an ambassador for her species, says Patterson. As Koko herself says in sign language, "Koko loves gorillas ... people have to hurry!" Koko and Williams' public service announcement is airing on television and radio through May 1, 2004. It is also available in print. The spots invite the public to learn more about the impending extinction of gorillas and other great apes by visiting www.koko.org, where additional video of Williams with Koko can be viewed. The Foundation's website also offers a DVD/VHS gift premium entitled "Koko & Friends" with an hour's worth of Koko related content, including a five minute feature clip of Williams with Koko. The Foundation produced the PSA with pro bono assistance from creative giant Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Inc. and Dave West of Utah Film and Video. Koko loves to watch the PSA and plays it over and over again. This PSA represents a quantum leap in the Gorilla Foundation's mandate of "Conservation through Communication." The Foundation's mission is to bring interspecies communication to the public in order to save gorillas from extinction and inspire our children to create a sustainable future for all great apes. Find out more at: http://www.koko.org.
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