May 4, 2023

Hi Team,

Did you know that BEAT is hiring? We are looking for a collaborative, responsive, and effective strategic thinker for Deputy Director, who will work closely with our Executive Director, Jane Winn. The Deputy Director is a leadership position with tremendous responsibility within our organization, and we are looking for someone who will take on increasing responsibility over the long term. Click here to view the full job description. Please help us spread the word by sharing this with anyone you know who might be a good candidate for this position!

We are delighted to welcome Lucas Duval as our Air Quality Monitoring Project Manager. Under a grant from the EPA, Lucas will monitor particulate matter and nitrous oxide in Pittsfield with a focus in environmental justice neighborhoods. We're glad to have you, Lucas!

Quick update: During May, our weekly invasive kiwi removals will be on Sundays from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.

In other big news - renovations to our Environmental Leadership & Education Center have begun! THANK YOU to all of you who have helped make this possible. The current renovations will make the street level fully accessible with a new sloped walkway, accessible bathroom, and an accessible balcony over the riverbank!

That's it for now. Thanks for all you do to protect the environment!

Jane, Rose, Chelsey, John, and Lucas

A Message from No Coal, No Gas:

Here in New England, we have to pay 10-20% of our utility bills just to keep fossil fuel plants on the grid. Through a system called forward capacity payments, our grid operator funds dangerous and out-of-date energy providers. For the first time, the Merrimack Station coal plant was excluded from these funds, but it's time to turn our attention to the underlying structural problem that was propping up Merrimack Station: the Forward Capacity Market.

The New England electrical grid operator (ISO-NE) is seeking approval for the full results of this year's Forward Capacity Auction (FCA 17), which will award $946 million in subsidizing payments from our electric bills to power plants three years from now. Many of these funds will go to power plants called base load generators, which run all the time every day and don't need subsidies to be profitable. If the results of FCA 17 are approved, ISO-NE will continue to use our electrical bills to provide bonus payments to those already profitable plants.

Until May 5 we're in a brief Public Comment Period where we can contest this decision--and more than that, the process behind it. FERC, the federal agency that oversees ISO-NE, is currently reviewing the auction results. Unlike our grid operator, it's required to take comments from people like us, but it doesn't get many about forward capacity payments. Instead, the damage being done to the earth and to our communities gets to hide behind complicated bureaucracy. That's why we're submitting as many public comments as we can: if ISO-NE is trying to make us pay for fossil fuel subsidies, they should know that we are watching--and determined to disobey.

We've built a thorough how-to guide. Head there to learn more about the Forward Capacity Auction comment process and submit a comment!

If you need any help or have questions during the writing or submission process, feel free to reach out to Marla at [email protected].

You can also attend our comment writing party:

Thursday May 4 at 11am

COMING UP WITH BEAT

VOLUNTEER WITH BEAT: INVASIVE HARDY KIWI PLANT REMOVAL

Sunday, May 7th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

at Onota Lake Boat Launch, Burbank Park, Pittsfield, MA

VOLUNTEER WITH BEAT: INVASIVE HARDY KIWI PLANT REMOVAL

Sunday, May 14th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

at Onota Lake Boat Launch, Burbank Park, Pittsfield, MA

IN THE NEWS

Pittsfield celebrates Arbor Day with a Springside Park tree planting ceremony

Meg Britton-Mehlisch | The Berkshire Eagle

"Reading off of a tree benefits calculator, McGrath said that the young tree is expected to capture nearly 250 pounds of carbon and avoid 484 gallons of runoff over the next two decades.

"There is a real true dollar value to the trees as much as there is the aesthetic value and all of the other ecological values that the trees provide," McGrath said.

The manager marked the planting and the history of preservation, conservation and restoration at Springside Park as part of the guiding ethos of the city and his department.

" READ MORE

What hazardous materials are trains carrying through the Berkshires? After the recent train derailments, we asked and this is what we found out ...

Heather Bellow and Greta Jochem | The Berkshire Eagle

"“You don’t want to know,” said Richmond and West Stockbridge Fire Chief Steven Traver when asked what’s coming across the New York State border at West Stockbridge by rail.

“We have 100 or so cars per train.”

He’s talking about the ethanol trains that come from the Midwest and run up to Pittsfield before heading east then south to Rhode Island to what he says is the largest gasoline distributor in the country.

Such trains carry what could be upwards of 9 million gallons of ethanol through the heart of Pittsfield each week, according to a 2018 state plan for responding to an ethanol derailment. They come through the Berkshires two or three times a week; it’s possible the number of those trains has since increased." READ MORE

Egremont Green News: 67 rain barrels now in action

Egremont Green News

"If you would like a barrel, we anticipate running the program again in 2022. We are participants in a statewide program offering discounted barrels to store roof runoff and recycle our rainwater. The program is available to all cities, towns, and villages in Massachusetts. Spread the word!" READ MORE

If it breaks, this Pittsfield dam could devastate a nearby neighborhood. Engineers say it looks like it might

Heather Bellow | The Berkshire Eagle

"The state considers Bel Air a “high-hazard” dam. This means that when water levels held back by the levels are high, a failure “may cause loss of life and substantial damage to downstream buildings, roadways, and other infrastructure,” according to a November 2022 status summary of the dam by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — of which the Office of Dam Safety is a part.Given these hazards to people and property — which in this case includes Berkshire Medical Center — the city and state have prioritized the dam for action and federal and state funding." READ MORE

Berkshire Environmental Action Team is turning its Pittsfield headquarters into a Resilience Hub for extreme weather events

Matt Martinez | The Berkshire Eagle

"The change come via Communities Responding to Extreme Weather, or CREW, who work to convert libraries, churches and other facilities into likewise resources. The series of renovations is expected to take three to five years to complete, as the organization plans to make building entrances more accessible, install a new roof and put solar panels atop it — putting its environmental advocacy into practice. It will also remove the unused pulpit in the building in order to install an accessible balcony overlooking the Housatonic river, as well as put a bathroom on the first floor.

The headquarters will provide a battery backup, heat pumps and insulation for residents as a “temporary day shelter” for emergencies, in addition to giving them a place where they can charge their electronics. Resilience Hubs also provide education for residents on extreme weather.

“We would be able to provide heating, cooling and electricity even if the grid goes down,” said BEAT Executive Director Jane Winn.

" READ MORE

Tell Your Legislator – Restructure MassSave!

Newly proposed bills could be a game-changer.

Energy efficiency is crucial to cutting climate-destroying emissions. Common problems with Mass Save, like trouble getting an audit scheduled, finding a participating contractor, finding information on energy efficiency incentives, getting the rebates you’re owed and understanding interconnected agency processes for lower income customers, stem largely from the unwieldy, decentralized structure of the MassSave program. Right now, the MassSave incentives and programs are designed and run by the various utility companies across the state. Entrusting our energy efficiency performance to the very for-profit companies that sell us the energy we’re hoping to conserve is a conflict of interests at best. Two bills currently proposed in the Mass State Legislature - one proposed in the Senate and one in the House - call on wholesale restructuring of the MassSave program, taking it out of the hands for the utility companies and putting it under the control of a Board of diverse stakeholders. The Board would elect an Executive Director to manage the program, putting a central office in control. Please use the link below to call on your Massachusetts State Legislators to co-sponsor the bills.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-legislators-restructure-masssave-newly-proposed-bills-could-be-a-game-changer/

US plans new forest protections, issues old-growth inventory

Matthew Brown | The Associated Press

"U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands combined have more than 50,000 square miles (129,000 square kilometers) of old growth forests and about 125,000 square miles (324,000 square kilometers) of mature forests, according to the inventory.

That’s more than half the forested land managed by the two agencies, and it covers an area larger than California. Yet officials say those stands of older trees are under increasing pressure as climate change worsens wildfires, drought, disease and insects — and leaves some forests devastated.

Older forests “are struggling to keep up with the stresses of climate change,” said USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Homer Wilkes. "We must adapt quickly.”

" READ MORE

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

We list events from a variety of local and regional organizations and individuals.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

Vernal Pool Plunge — Plainfield

FRIDAY, MAY 5

Kidleidoscope Story Hour — Turner Falls

Nice & Easy Walk — Turner Falls

Owls and the Full Moon — Cropseyville, NY

SATURDAY, MAY 6

When Bugs Bite! — Lenox

Woods Walk: Forest Health and Climate Resilience at Town Farm Forest — Conway

Community Science: NestWatch Volunteer Training — Richmond

Hoffmann Bird Club's Annual Meeting and Banquet — Great Barrington

SUNDAY, MAY 7

Nature Scavenger Hunt — Adams

Volunteer with BEAT: Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Pull — Pittsfield

Great Hall Reception + Fundraiser: Visions of the Connecticut River Valley — Turner Falls

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Tuesday Treks — Cropseyville, NY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Pollinators and Pollutants Public Hearing — Online, in-person Boston

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Stressed Out Soils with Jane Lucas — Online, in-person Millbrook, NY

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Nice & Easy Walk — Turner Falls

Kidleidoscope Story Hour — Turner Falls

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Art Naturally — Turner Falls

Mount Greylock Photo Group Meet-Up: Watershed Moments! — Adams

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Nature Scavenger Hunt — Adams

Volunteer with BEAT: Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Pull — Pittsfield

See Calendar for More

JOBS

We list jobs related to the environment from a variety of organizations.

BEAT is hiring!

Deputy Director | Berkshire Environmental Action Team | Pittsfield

Berkshire County Postings

Seasonal Steward – Notchview | The Trustees of Reservations | Windsor | deadline 5/31/23

Farm Crew Coordinator | Greenagers | South Egremont

Field Teacher/Environmental Educator | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Berkshire Clean, Cold and Connected Restoration Coordinator | The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) | Stockbridge

Lead Education Coordinator – Camp & School Environmental Education Programs | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Visitor Services Representative | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Crew Leaders & Assistant Crew Leaders | Greenagers | South Egremont

Lead Day Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary | Pittsfield

Day Camp Environmental Educator | Mass Audubon’s Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary | Pittsfield

Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary | Pittsfield

Preschool Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Lead Day Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Day Camp Environmental Educator | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Assistant Day Camp Counselor | Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | Lenox

Pathways to the Trades Director | Greenagers | South Egremont

Education Coordinator | Greenagers | South Egremont

Postings with Deadline

Legal Intern for Water Resource Protection | NEIWPCC | Lowell | deadline 5/07/23

Ecological Restoration Program Manager – Cranberry Bogs | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 5/12/23

Ecological Restoration Program Manager – Dam Removal | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 5/12/23

Ranger – Recreation Maintenance | FirstLight Power | Northfield | deadline 5/12/23

Campground Recreation Technician | FirstLight Power | Gill | deadline 5/12/23

Assistant Director of Land Stewardship | Winnakee Land Trust | Rhinebeck, NY | deadline 5/12/23

Environmental Educator | Wright-Locke Farm | Winchester | deadline 5/15/23

Research Biologist | Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation |Saranac Lake, NY | deadline 5/15/23

Community Outreach and Education Member | American Conservation Experience | Brookline | deadline 05/18/23

Seasonal Stewardship Position: Aquatic Invasive Plant Removal | FirstLight Power | Turner Falls | deadline 5/19/23

2023 Preserve Steward Internship | Pound Ridge Land Conservancy | Pound Ridge, NY | deadline 05/19/23

Community Outreach and Education Member | American Conservation Experience | Brookline | deadline 05/21/23

Seasonal Land Management Field Crew | Town of Wayland Conservation | Wayland | deadline 5/30/23

Director of Land Stewardship | Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy | Kent, CT | deadline 5/31/23

Senior Land Protection Specialist | Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy | Kent, CT | deadline 5/31/23

Senior Statistician | Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. | Remote | deadline 06/01/23

Power Infrastructure Specialist | Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. | Remote | deadline 06/01/23

Ecological Restoration Technical Services Branch Manager | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 6/05/23

Summer Camp Assistant | The Nature Museum at Grafton | Grafton, Vermont | deadline 06/07/23

Ecological Restoration Specialist – Dam Removal | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 6/10/23

Executive Director | New England Fishery Management Council | Newburyport | deadline 6/11/23

Ecological Restoration Specialist – Coastal Wetland Restoration | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 6/14/23

Stream Crossing Specialist | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Westfield or Boston/Hybrid | deadline 6/18/23

Recent Postings

River Stewards of Tomorrow 2023 Internship | Housatonic Valley Association | Cornwall Bridge, CT

Invasive Plant Internship | Town of West Newbury | West Newbury

Community Conservation Coordinator | Connecticut Land Conservation Council | Middletown, CT

Climate Smart Stewardship Coordinator | Connecticut Land Conservation Council | Middletown, CT

Visiting Faculty: Environmental Law for Policy | Bard College’s Center for Environmental Policy | Annandale-on-Hudson, NY

Regional Planner V (Branch Chief, Municipal Waste Reduction) | Mass DEP | Boston

Regional Planner IV (Recycling Grant Manager) | Mass DEP | Boston

Lead Nature Preschool Teacher | Boston Outdoor Preschool Network | Framingham

NESS AmeriCorps STEM Educator | New England Science and Sailing Foundation, Inc. – AmeriCorps | Stonington, CT

Research Fellow Timber Products Output | University of Massachusetts | Amherst

Avian Point Count Technicians | Cornell University | Statewide, NY

Northeast Campaign Coordinator, Offshore Wind Energy | National Wildlife Federation | Boston

Executive Director | Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) | Remote MA

Wildlife Technician | Meridian Bird Removal | Hartford, CT

Development Manager | Kestrel Land Trust | Amherst

Executive Director | Eagle Eye Institute | Holyoke

Orange County Food Pantry Coordinator | Franklin County Community Meals Program (FCCMP) | Orange

Connecticut Watershed Manager | The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) | Cornwall, CT

Biological Field Intern | Trout Unlimited | Lock Haven, PA

Assistant Farm Manager | Bardwell Farm | Hatfield

Farmstand Crew | Bardwell Farm | Hatfield

Earthwatch Facilitator for Teen Teams | Earthwatch | Newton

Tree Worker / Arborist | New Leaf Tree Services | Hudson, NY

Contracted Farm Manager | The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Cultivating for Community | Hadley

Environmental Analyst III – Bureau of Air and Waste (BAW) Hazardous Waste Programs | MassDEP | Boston

Executive Director | Franklin County Community Meals Program (FCCMP) | Greenfield

Farm & Food Business Finance Specialist | Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) | Anywhere in MA | Remote/Hybrid

Massachusetts Energy Policy Advocate | Green Energy Consumers Alliance | Boston

School Liason and Event Coordinator | Cooler Communities | Western MA

Development Coordinator | Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | Western MA

Program Coordinator | Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | Western MA

Click Here for More Jobs

Environmental Monitor

April 26, 2022

The Environmental Monitor provides information on projects under review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, recent MEPA decisions of the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and public notices from environmental agencies.

Berkshire Index:

Lenox – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – 1 Melville Court invasive species removal without herbicides – submitted 4/26/23
Great Barrington, Lenox, Sheffield, Lee, Pittsfield, Stockbridge – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – Housatonic Railroad – comments due 6/9/23
Many towns – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – Eversource – comments due 5/24/23-this may just be an update to the one below?
Many towns – Eversource – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/5/23
Many towns – Pam Am Railways – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/5/23

CT River Valley Index:

Granby – Lots C7 and C8.12 Kendall Street – ENF – site visit 5/4/23 – comments due 5/16/23
Many towns – New England Central Railroad – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/24/23
Many towns – Eversource – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/24/23 (maybe just an update to the one below?)
Many towns – Eversource – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/5/23
Many towns – Pam Am Railways – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – comments due 5/5/23
South Hadley – Buttery Brook Watershed Restoration – FEIR Rollover – comments due 5/10/23

Statewide Index:

• MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program – ESPR – resubmitted 3/22/23 – comments due 4/21/23

• Notice of Federal Consistency Review – The United States Environmental Protection Agency intends to issue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit MAG640000 for discharge from Potable Water Treatment Facilities

Public Notices

Public Notices listed here are from a variety of sources, from town conservation commissions and select boards to state and federal agencies. These listings are for Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties. Listings are only posted if they are environmental in nature. You can find all public notices for Massachusetts here.

BEAT Public Notices PAGE

Berkshire Environmental Action Team

20 Chapel St., Pittsfield, MA 01201

(413) 464-9402

[email protected]

www.thebeatnews.org

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