In This Issue:

Commuter Rail Is the Answer for the I-287 Corridor

Commuter Rail Is the Answer for the I-287 Corridor

FCWC members have been singing this title as a song for several years and it is our official position. The agencies working on the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project Study plan to make their decision on which transit mode to choose for the corridor by the end of May. The cost of commuter rail is the highest of the three proposed transit alternatives, which include bus rapid transit, and light rail. However, the cost of not doing this crucial rail link is far greater: e.g., every year, our metropolitan region loses between $13-$17 billion because of congestion on the roadways, accidents, and lost wages, appointments, late deliveries, etc. We believe the reasons to choose commuter rail are overwhelmingly persuasive. Our transit advocate, Board member and past president Maureen Morgan, has effectively made the case in public meetings, Op Ed, and Westchester Environment articles, as has Carolyn Cunningham, as our representative to the Rockland/Westchester TZ task force.

As we enter a sustained era of high gas prices, FCWC believes we must link the five north/south commuter rail lines with an east/west line (thus linking four states: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania) or deal a devastating blow to the future of our region economically. New commuting patterns and projections of increased vehicle congestion on I-287 all support the choice of commuter rail. In addition, the environmental impacts of this mode of transit are among the least, in terms of fuel efficiency, and production of green house gases per passenger mile.

FCWC will co-sponsor a meeting on the “Environmental Impacts of the TZ Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project on May 2nd featuring Michael Anderson, the Project Director of the TZ Project, and a project consultant. Speakers will also include Gerry Bogacz from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, Robert Goldstein from Riverkeeper and Maureen Morgan from FCWC. The meeting is another in the series of “Conversations on Conservation” also sponsored by the Westchester County Parks Department, Teatown, and Pace, which is held as a “café” from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. at Pace Pleasantville. For information or to register call (914) 864-7047 or email mqs5@westchestergov.com.

“Yonkers: Gateway to the Hudson Valley” Symposium is a Success

Many regional municipal and conservation leaders gathered at the Yonkers waterfront to hear speakers and panelists from NRDC, Scenic Hudson, the NYS Department of State, and Regional Plan Association discuss land use, transportation and conservation aspects of proposed waterfront development plans. Yonkers Committee for Smart Development, FCWC, and Scenic Hudson sponsored this well-attended environmental and economic summit, on March 20, which met with widespread acclaim.

The highlight of the meeting: a brilliant keynote address by architect and urban planner Harris Steinberg, Executive Planner, Civic Vision for the Central Delaware Riverfront in Philadelphia, who stressed the need for public involvement. Terry Joshi, coordinator for YCSD, said, “The symposium was designed to bring the topic of the Hudson River Valley and its environmental requirements into the forefront of the Yonkers’ discussion about its redevelopment plans. The kind of development that eventually occurs in Yonkers could have a lasting effect on the region’s environment. We have a responsibility to consider the wider environmental consequences of local actions.”

Eco Tips – Going Green

Don’t flush drugs (medicines) down the toilet. There is increasing evidence that even minimal estrogen levels in the drinking water feminize aquatic wildlife, and they may also have a human impact.

Shop for local produce. Eating regional food means you eat fresher food, in season. A typical carrot in your supermarket travels 1,838 miles before it ends up on your table.

Recycling is the law. Help increase the tonnage that the County recycles as a homeowner. business, or institution. Keep glass, plastic (except #1, #2 plastic), metal and paper out of your garbage. Donate old computers and cell phones. Visit www.westchestergov.com/globalwarming.

Travel smart: take the train, or bus, and car pool. Create new walking and bike paths in your community. When driving accelerate gradually, drive smoothly, keep tires full of air, and save gas; treat your car to regular servicing.

“Think globally, act locally”. Teach everyone about global warming and the benefits of green living and get them excited and involved.

“Attendees listen to moderator, Cesare Manfredi,
FCWC president, at Beczak Environmental Center
in Yonkers at waterfront development symposium.”
Photo credit: Jeff Anzevino of Scenic Hudson.

By Cesare Manfredi

FCWC Opposes Broadwater

FCWC has long been disturbed by environmental and other issues raised by the Broadwater natural gas terminal proposed to be anchored in Long Island Sound. We submitted several important questions to the agencies early in the reviewing process, which we feel have not be satisfactorily answered. These are: does/will the U.S. Coast Guard have adequate resources to provide the security it has said will be necessary for such a terminal – a potential terrorist target? Does industry have the right to prohibit the public from using 1.5 square miles of open water at no cost, while the public is investing millions to clean up that same water? What precedent will be set? Will the ecosystems of LIS and the shoreline be affected by such a venture? Does this fill a real energy need?

I also raised some additional FCWC concerns in an interview for Channel 12 with Mayor Steve Otis of Rye, who is opposed to the project. 1) The people of Westchester will be spending up to $500 million on advanced sewage treatment to remove nitrogen and improve the water quality of LIS. It would be unfair to exclude those same Westchester people from 1.5 square miles of LIS to allow for an industrial use. The project itself and the precedent it would set would be unfair to the people of Westchester. 2) The USCG responded that they could not predict what increased resources it will have to cover the Broadwater project. Will Coast Guard forces be removed from the Westchester area to protect Broadwater and not be replaced, leaving Westchester boaters on their own?

Since Broadwater has been approved by the Federal Energy Commission, it is now up to the states to weigh in. NYS must determine whether the project is “consistent” with our Coastal Zone Management Plan. FCWC believes it is not.

Board News: Roberta Wienick Retires from FCWC Board

The Board has reluctantly accepted Roberta Wiernik’s resignation. We have benefited for many years from her knowledgeable, effective service. She was an in-house expert on pesticide matters, a chair of our Program Committee, and ever willing volunteer on a host of FCWC events and activities. We wish her well and she will be greatly missed.

Greening The County

New Castle Becomes a First in Westchester

New Castle became a statewide leader in February in efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses and efforts to combat climate change by adopting a resolution and forming a partnership with New York State DEC’s new Office of Climate Change. DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said, “We applaud the Town of New Castle and Supervisor Barbara Gerrard for taking this important step toward local action to fight climate change …… New Castle is the first of what we hope will be many “Climate Smart Communities” that will explore new and collaborative ways to address challenges of climate change.”

By partnering with the state, New Castle will have access to the new Climate Change Office’s technical staff of engineers, economists, and researchers. These experts will assist the Town at no additional cost, while also helping to explore potential new sources of funding to assist in the implementation of new measures the Town commits to adopt.

Westchester Business Council adds Green Aisle to its “Mega Mixer”

On March 7 the Business Council’s sixth Mega Mixer featured over 200 businesses at the Marriott Hotel, but for the first time it included a “Green Aisle” of 20 businesses offering environmental services of various types. FCWC applauds the Business Council for this addition and hopes to see the number of Green businesses represented grow each year. On this years’ Aisle: a county solar energy company, a green insulation provider, heating and air conditioning contractors, a green roof provider, an oil company that also supplies alternate energy programs, a consulting engineering firm “dedicated to sustainable solutions.” Also represented were organizations such as Metropool and Nuride (providing ride sharing programs to companies and organizations), and the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The names of participants can be obtained from the Westchester Business Council.

Rye’s New Environmental Advocacy Group

We founded Environmental Advocates of Rye during the summer of 2007 in hopes of consolidating some of the positive environmentally minded energy being generated at a number of existing Rye organizations. Members of the Garden Club, Conservation Commission, Rye Nature Center, Wainwright House, the PTOs and PTSAs as well as other groups and concerned citizens have joined forces to try to enact some meaningful change in Rye. This winter we hosted an environmental forum, during which we discussed pesticide use, recycling, leaf blowers and idling. Rye’s mayor, Steve Otis, attended, along with several council members. The purpose of the forum was to share information with members of our community, receive their input on how to address environmental issues, and demonstrate to our elected officials that we are all concerned about these challenges.

We are currently supporting legislation for a seasonal (May 1 through September 30) leaf blower ban. A public hearing and vote will be held on April 2. Interested Rye residents may contact: Ashley Craig at ashleycraig@verizon.net or (914) 329-9056.

“Sustainable Rivertowns” Start Up

“Sustainable Hastings” and “Sustainable Dobbs Ferry” are more new groups, which are responding to the challenges of global warming, (or climate change) with local action. “Sustainable Dobbs Ferry,” concerned about carbon emissions, has proposed a seasonal leaf blower ban to its Board of Trustees to reduce impacts to health from the carbon emissions and from blowing dust full of pesticides, herbicides, animal waste and other elements into the air. The group welcomes residents interested in working for a greener more energy efficient Dobbs Ferry. Contact them at ninaorville@gmail.com or allegrad@aol.com.

“Sustainable Hastings” has planned an entire “Climate Action Week” in Hastings from April 1-7 with something going on every day. Speakers, a film, a green living fair and workshops, and a solar powered rock group are some of the attractions. For a full schedule of the events go to http://www.sustainablehastings.org/Climate_Action_Week.html.

Old Truths About Flooding

After last year’s storm many communities in the county have been looking for ways to reduce or prevent flooding in the future. Some have rediscovered the truth that besides being ecologically wise, the least expensive way to prevent flooding is to preserve wetlands. FCWC would welcome examples of this from your towns.

FCWC also encourages newly active environmentalists and new environmental organizations to join our coalition as members. There is strength in numbers and we will accomplish more if we all work together to green our County.