link is here: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2011/01/24/news/doc4d3ccac1afcb8535104540.txt?viewmode=fullstory

By Mid-Hudson News Network

ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a new regulation that prohibits the feeding of black bears by people. The regulation stems from the increasing number of conflicted between the big, furry animals and humans.

Previously, the agency prohibited the intentional feeding of bears in proximity to certain locations. The new rule now prohibits the intentional or incidental feeding of bears. That means it is now against the law to leave out garbage, refuse or bird seed that might attract the animals. The regulation gives the agency the authority to require removal of those and other food attractions when bears become problematic.

The agency encourages discontinuing bird feeding activity in the spring when bears emerge from their dens and natural food for bears is not abundant and natural food for birds is becoming more available.

The Central Catskills Collaborative has settled on a name for a 45-mile stretch of state Route 28 that the group hopes will receive a scenic byway designation from New York state....

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August 4, 2010: Stunning 11th Hour Victory- NYS Gas Drilling Moratorium Passes Senate
Specifically, the measure (S.8129B) places a moratorium on new fracking permits in the Marcellus Shale and other similar formations until May 15, 2011, “to afford the state and its residents the opportunity to continue the review and analysis of the effects of hydraulic fracturing on water and air quality, environmental safety and public health.”  The bill passed on the senate floor at 12:30pm in a 48-9 vote.
Wes Gillingham, the Mountainkeeper  Program Director was in Albany on the Senate Floor lobbying for passage of the moratorium at that early hour this morning.  We are deeply proud of his efforts and those of our coalition friends, our members and all of you who worked so hard to get this historic bill passed.  COME BACK FOR BREAKING NEWS UPDATES ON THIS STORY

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For Release: IMMEDIATE        

Contacts: DEC Maureen Wren (518) 402-8000          

DAM Jessica Ziehm (518) 457-3136            

Thursday, July 22, 2010      

EMERALD ASH BORER DETECTED IN STEUBEN AND ULSTER COUNTIES

Additional Investigation Planned After Invasive Beetles Found in Traps 

      New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis and state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced the discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on private properties in the Town of Bath, Steuben County, and Town of Saugerties, Ulster County. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black, and blue ash....

    

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I feel like I'm living in a dream world. What is wrong with you people? All you people who call yourselves environmentalists, conservationists etc etc etc? Am I hearing this correctly? You want a moratorium on drilling in the Catskills? Thats akin to saying hey we are going to remove your genitals, but we will give you 120 days to try and figure out how best to regulate it... 

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Plum Island is a part of Southold, New York in Gardiner Bay, off the eastern end of the North Fork coast of Long Island. When America's age of internal paranoia set in during the Cold War, the island was the known center for a military base and animal disease center called "Lab 257". When Lab 257 was fully operational, access was limited only to select scientists and special guests. Popular word is that strange animal experiments were the work of its shadowy operatives. Lab 257 is where some individuals believe the Montauk Monster originated. But those glory days are (allegedly) long gone. Plum Island is up for sale, reports local WCBS TV. Article Resource: Plum Island - Want to purchase a former animal disease center Somebody who cares about myths, will you please buy Plum Island? Plum Island is a hot topic of discussion, as the General Services Administration is taking the temperature of public opinion. Numerous feel that its place as a natural habitat for various birds should lend itself to the creation of a federal park and nature preserve. Nevertheless, the security of the previous chemical facility at Lab 257 has Homeland Security's bells ringing. Various substances that could kill people – let alone livestock – were once produced there on a regular basis. It could be a target for terrorist attack, the government worries. The possibility of relocating Lab 257 to inland Kansas has been announced by the government. According to New York (and Plum Island) Rep. Timothy Bishop, selling the island for $ 50 to $ 60 million wouldn't come close to helping with relocation costs. The costs of relocating Lab 257 would be significantly a lot more, more than $ 650 million. Installment loans would be necessary. Plum Island resources should resume on Plum Island, instead of New York leaping into that financial quagmire, says Bishop. Did the Montauk Monster come from Lab 257? This Lab 257 yarn has filled the days of New York and New Jersey fishermen with no shortage of good humor. When Plum Island legends sound better, the truth may very well be that the Montauk Monster is a smelly dead raccoon or sea lion. It is infinitely more glorious that one set of New York fishermen claim to have pushed the carcass out to sea and set it ablaze, a la Beowulf. Truth tends to get within the way of enjoyable hyperbole here. This very human form of legend-making is in numerous ways a lot more important than objective truth. Those who talk of Plum Island and Lab 257 may stretch the truth, but nobody is harmed by this. That's enough to entertain generations of children around the campfire on a summer evening. Read a lot more on this topic here WCBS TV http://wcbstv.com/local/plum.island.animal.2.1705004.html

Spring Screenings http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/wp/2010/05/03/spring-screenings/>

Josh will be screening Gasland and speaking in these towns in May and June.  Check back for updated information and additional venues.

May 23 – Narrowsburg, NY http://www.damascuscitizens.org/GASLAND2.html>  (Josh will not be in attendance)

May 28 – Telluride, CO http://www.mountainfilm.org/>

May 29 – Paonia, CO http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/111972>

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