April 27, 2022

For the past several years, we've all been working together to advance the Birds and Bees Protection Act in the New York State Legislature. This bill bans the use of seeds coated with toxic insecticides called neonicotinoids or "neonics" and prohibits neonic use for ornamental and turf applications.

Today, the New York State Assembly, led by Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright, passed the bill.

This is a huge step toward protecting our bees, butterflies, and birds from being poisoned by toxic neonics and it would not have been possible without your help--thank you for sending emails, calling your legislators, and organizing in your communities to promote the bill.

Mountainkeeper staff have been tirelessly advocating for the measure in the Capitol, and in the coming weeks, we'll need your help again. In order for the bill to become law, it now needs to pass in the Senate before it can go to the Governor's desk for her signature.

Stay tuned--we'll be sending an action alert to make it easy for you to weigh in with the Senate. We're up against BIG chemical industry and industrial agriculture, and those industries are spending serious money to try to stop the bill. We'll need your help to get the Birds and Bees Protection Act across the finish line.

But today, we celebrate. Thank you again for all of your work, thanks to our Assemblymembers who voted to protect our health, clean water, and pollinators, and to all of our colleague organizations who are fighting with us.

With thanks,

Ramsay Adams, Executive Director

Assemblymember Lupardo, environmental justice advocates, and community residents spoke to media in advance of public hearing on the Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan

"In New York, we're lucky--we're up against a climate emergency, but we're not stuck sitting around waiting for solutions," said Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper's Associate Director. "The Climate Action Council's final plan must focus on solutions we can implement now, identify how to pay for the transition New Yorkers need and deserve, and prioritize justice for all New Yorkers. We have the law and the process to transition away from fossil fuels that are destroying our planet, health, and lives. Today, the focus is on how to make this transition a reality."

Click 'read more' for the full release from April 12, 2022's press conference at the Climate Action Council's public hearing.

Activities at the site contaminated water bodies and wetlands on site at the eastern gateway to the Catskill Park 

March 28, 2022 Town of Kingston, NY—A resident of the Town of Kingston and two nonprofit organizations whose staff and members regularly use the Bluestone Wild Forest today filed an Article 78 action against the Town of Kingston’s Zoning Board of Appeals, Robert Cologero, in his role as Code Enforcement Officer, 850 Route 28 LLC, U.S. Crane and Rigging LLC, and Thomas Auringer for construction activities and illegal storage of cranes, rigging, vehicles, and industrial equipment at 850 Route 28.

Posted by Katherine Nadeau · April 12, 2022 12:24 PM

Mountainkeeper Joins Binghamton Residents to Promote Climate Plan Based on Jobs, Justice, and Energy Security

Posted by Katherine Nadeau · April 12, 2022 12:09 PM

Mountainkeeper Sues to Stop Development at 850 Route 28 in Town of Kingston

Posted by Katherine Nadeau · April 01, 2022 2:07 PM

Department of Environmental Conservation Requiring Additional Analysis Around Alternatives to Ashokan Reservoir Releases, their Drinking Water Impacts, and How Climate Change Will Affect Releases

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced today that it is sending the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) back to the drawing board for further analyze the adverse environmental and human impacts of muddy releases from the Ashokan Reservoir.

“Requiring further analysis is absolutely the right move,” said Kathy Nolan, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Senior Research Director. “We need the strongest plan possible to address releases from the Ashokan Reservoir; one that explores all available options to prevent muddy water from harming streams and rivers, one that protects drinking water supplies, and one that mitigates challenges that the climate crisis is imposing on communities and waterways.”

Click "Read More" for Mountainkeeper's full release.

Albany, NY - On February 1, 2022, Mountainkeeper's Deputy Director, Katherine Nadeau testified on the Governor's 2022 Executive Budget. Our testimony highlights the need to fully fund the Catskill Park and Region, the urgent need for $15 billion for climate justice and a just transition to NY's renewable energy future, support for the governor's proposal to protect wetlands, and more. Click "Read More" for our full testimony. 

New York State still needs Birds and Bees Protection Act to protect state’s water, land, and people from neonicotinoids’ toxic harms

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)’s announcement that it will limit the unrestricted use of pesticides that harm bee and other pollinator populations is very welcome: neonicotinoids kill New York’s pollinators, including birds, bees, and butterflies, and they threaten our food, food production, and public health. The new restrictions eliminate the most common neonicotinoid insecticides from consumer products and non-professional residential uses, yet much more needs to be done. We look forward to working with NYSDEC and the state legislature to pass the Birds and Bees Protection Act to remove neonic-treated seeds from New York, one of the most common pathways for the toxins to enter our food and water.

The more we learn about jumping worms--also known as crazy snake worms, Alabama jumpers, and Asian worms-- the more concerned we are.

Nearly all earthworms found in the Northeast today are non-native, but jumping worms (Amynthas species) are extra concerning because they gobble up organic matter more quickly than their European counterparts, stripping the forest of the layer critical for seedlings and wildflowers. Jumping worms grow twice as fast, reproduce more quickly, and can infest soils at high densities. In areas where there is a heavy infestation, native plants, soil invertebrates, salamanders, birds and other animals may decline.

Mountainkeeper is following the invasion, and have complied resources and assembled experts. You can watch our panel discussion from December 7, 2021 here. Click "read more" for a jumping worm Q&A and additional resources.

Ramsay Adams for the Times Herald-Record

The NY State Department of Transportation recently completed a study on the proposed widening of Route 17 from two to three lanes on the 47-mile stretch between the Harriman interchange and Liberty under the guise of easing congestion and promoting economic development.

Catskill Mountainkeeper commented on the draft phase of this report, which is seriously misguided and should be reconsidered. Widening Route 17 in this area will likely increase traffic and congestion, and will certainly contribute to local air pollution while deepening New York’s dependence on climate-destroying fossil fuels. This unnecessary project will contribute to sprawl and does not address the problem of transportation inequity. Click "read more" to check out the entire op-ed.