tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27890271904157838972024-02-18T22:23:24.238-05:00Friends of the BayFriends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-50655075500007460072011-03-30T10:08:00.000-04:002011-03-30T10:08:20.647-04:00Moby Duck<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I just finished reading “Moby Duck”, which was recommended to me by Liz Roosevelt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a fascinating and enlightening book based upon what seems to be a slim premise – to find out what happened to 28,800 bath toys which were lost at sea just south of the Aleutian Islands on January 10, 1992. The author, Donovan Hohn was a high school teacher who learned of the toy spill through an essay written by one of his students. Hohn assigned his journalism students to write an essay on the “archaeology of the ordinary.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One student chose to write about his rubber duck which he carried for luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mentioned the toys spill, and that the toys were expected to have drifted through the Bering Strait, the Northwest Passage, the Canadian Arctic and the Labrador Sea, and down to Nova Scotia, arriving sometime in 2003.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And so the odyssey begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is more than just an indulgent quest to satisfy an individual’s curiosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hohn is a very talented writer whose inquiries lead him from manufacturing plants in China, on to remote beaches in Alaska to search for washed up ducks, on an ice breaker in the Northwest Passage, the vast Pacific Ocean off of Hawaii on a scientific research vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, readers learn about container vessels and how they are loaded, rogue waves, Irminger rings, the Great Pacific Gyre and some disastrous Arctic explorations of the 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His inquiries are wide ranging and thoughtful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He interviews scientists, environmentalists from across the spectrum, ship captains and crew, manufacturers and lawyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He examines plastics in all forms and shapes, and the catastrophic effect plastic is having on our oceans and environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So little is recycled, and so much winds up on our beaches (some beaches in Hawaii are composed almost entirely of plastic sand), in the ocean as microscopic particles where it is mistaken as food by sea creatures, or floating endlessly in the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is not a grim book, full of depressing facts and gloomy predictions for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a frequently very funny, always enlightening and completely original book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I very highly recommend it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-37250151214588520492011-03-09T22:01:00.001-05:002011-03-09T22:01:02.418-05:00John Turner Lecture<div class="MsoNormal">Friends of the Bay supporters had a virtual hike around Long Island at our lecture on Wednesday, March 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noted Long Island environmentalist John Turner read excerpts from his newly updated and revised edition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Other Island.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get to know the natural side of Long Island better, and there is no better guide than John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carl Safina considers John to be “the all-around most experienced, most knowledgeable and most devoted person I know with regard to scientifically appreciating , lucidly explaining and effectively helping to protect this fish shaped Island.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John told a story about an encounter with an individual in Yellowstone , who upon learning that John came from Long Island, mad e a disparaging remark about the environment on Long Island, and that there is very little worthwhile<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here in terms of the natural world (obviously that person never came to Oyster Bay).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admittedly, there are environmental challenges here, and there has been a lot of habitat destruction and compromise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if a person was to visit all the sites mentions in his book they would be rewarded with a whole new respect and understanding of Long Island’s great natural beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Other Island</i> is arranged by season, so an early March lecture was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>perfect timing to start a virtual hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John first read a quote about wildflowers from a book written in 1670:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“the country itself to send forth such a fragrant smell that it may be perceived at sea before they can make the land.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then began with the earliest of spring harbingers – the nesting of Great Horned owls, the emergence of tiger salamanders and spring wildflowers, the return of piping plovers and spring peepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our spring songbirds are already leaving their wintering grounds in South America to make their long journeys north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There haven’t been any ospreys seen in Oyster Bay yet, but they should be back in the next couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Birds are not the only animals that migrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alewives (or river herrings) will be returning to their streams to breed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the challenges they face are dams or other obstacles to their passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the actions recommended in the forthcoming Watershed Action Plan will be to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>install fish ladders or remove blockages to restore historic alewife runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The depth and breadth of John’s knowledge of Long Island’s environment was clear as he went through the seasons and around the Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think everyone in the audience learned something that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, I never knew that Long Island had once been one of the top five producers of cranberries in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last commercial cranberry bog , which was in Manorville, closed in 1975.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are sites on Long Island where cranberries still grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also learned that Woodcocks have the nickname of the “flying meatloaf”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve ever seen a woodcock, it makes perfect sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Max Wheaton, the Poet Laureate of Nassau County was in attendance at the lecture, and he was given a challenge of writing a poem to the milkweed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For so many who are allergic, milkweed may not be a thing of beauty, but the pods in late summer and early fall are really stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A recurring theme throughout the night was the need for responsible stewardship and appreciation of Long Island’s land and waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many simple actions that can be taken, recycling, using less water, not using plastic bags when we go shopping that seem small, but taken together, make a difference. Supporting organizations you believe in is critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quoting from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exploring the Other Island “</i>It is difficult for many of us to effect change in the decisions taking place in corporate board rooms and governmental committees due to the time and energy it typically takes to become involved in the political process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s where conservation and environmental organizations play a surrogate, yet critical, role to your direct involvement by reflecting and expressing your concern for the environment to corporate and political America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are able to marshal and focus your support for protecting the environment to achieve gains in protecting wildlife, preserving open space, promoting renewable energy, and in a whole host of other important conservation areas.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the current budget crisis playing out in Washington, local organizations are going to be taking on more of the work to protect and preserve our environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John autographed copies of his book and we do have a very few left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the proceeds will benefit Friends of the Bay, so if you would like a copy, please let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-62330013479720720042011-03-09T21:59:00.003-05:002011-03-09T21:59:48.632-05:00Congressional Funding<div class="MsoNormal">As I am writing this article, congress is debating a Continuing Resolution to extend government funding for the rest of the year. By the time you are reading this article, voting may have taken place. My column last week spoke of the use of Facebook in discovering interesting articles. This week, Facebook and other social media applications were key tools in helping to spread awareness of the need to make phone calls to help protect our environment. The astonishing spread of calls for freedom and less restrictive government in the Mideast is also testament to the efficacy of these tools. All the coverage I have seen gives credit to usage of Facebook,twitter , and email in arranging and coordinating the protests, and in allowing unedited coverage of these events to spread worldwide. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Long Island Sound Study is composed of groups from along the southern side of Connecticut and the north shore of Long Island who work together to protect the water quality of the Long Island Sound. There is a broad diversity of representation. Some of them members are locally based like Friends of the Bay or the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, there are municipal members like the Town of Oyster Bay, representatives from fishing associations, larger regional organizations like Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Audubon New York and Connecticut, and governmental agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Dcpartment of Environmental Conservation. All of us work together to protect the Long Island Sound and its watershed areas. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some of the larger organizations have staff members who closely follow what is occurring in Washington and report back to their constituents and to members of the Long Island Sound Study. This week the amount of urgent emails from environmental organizations was more than I have ever seen. An email Friends of the Bay sent began with “The environment is under assault in Congress right now”. These are difficult economic times, and tough choices have to be made. It seems though that cuts are not being made evenly, or with regard to damage that may be done that is irreversible. Once a habitat is destroyed, it is gone forever. As someone famously said “land – they aren’t making any more of it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the tables of funding appropriations that was circulated was astonishing to me: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">SF Bay<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$7m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$<span style="color: #1f497d;">4.84</span>7m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">Puget Sound<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$50m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$50m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">South Florida<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$2.168m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$2.<span style="color: #1f497d;">061</span>m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">Mississippi River Basin<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$0<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$6m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">Long Island Sound<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$7m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$2.962m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">Gulf of Mexico<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$6m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$4.464m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">Lake Champlain<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$4m<o:p></o:p></div></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="MsoNormal">$1.399m<o:p></o:p></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As you see, funding for the Long Island Sound was being cut by more than 50%, to 2.962 million. The most the sound ever received was $7 million. Our shellfishing industry alone contributes $7 million to our regional economy. $7 million was the most the Sound ever received. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Understandably, groups were very concerned about these deep cuts. It had been anticipated that funding would remain at the 2010 level, at $7 million. Emails were sent out by Audubon New York and Connecticut, requesting assistance in reaching out to legislators. Friends o f the Bay and Citizens Campaign for the Environment sent out eblasts to our membership and posted alerts on our Facebook pages, which were in turn shared by the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee and Boating Times Long Island. I heard from representative’s assistants that they were receiving phone calls as a result of these cooperative efforts. In these very difficult times, when government agencies and non profit organizations are stretched to the maximum, cooperation and support is key to achieving goals. Public support is crucial. Your legislators need to know what is important to their constituents. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As part of this cooperative between organizations, Sean Mahar of Audubon New York provided the following talking points to use when calling legislators regarding this Continuing Resolution – these can also be used as the basis of a letter or an email to your representative. The Continuing Resolution may have already been decided as you read this column. It is still very important to let your legislators know that the environment (and the jobs produced or protected, tourism income, etc) is important to you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Across the nation, our important water ecosystems like the Great Lakes and Long Island Sound are under constant threat from pollution and habitat loss. We face a massive backlog of projects to clean up and restore these important engines of the regional and national economy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The cuts proposed in this Continuing Resolution disproportionately target these important water and wildlife programs, that invest in programs that put people to work restoring the waters that millions of people depend on each day. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For example, in my district, Long Island Sound is a national economic and ecological treasure that contributes more than $8 billion per year to the regional economy from commercial and recreational fishing, ecotourism and other water dependent businesses. More than 28 million people, or nearly 10 percent of the population of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>, live within 50 miles of Long Island Sound, and the resultant development has led to increasingly poor ecosystem health.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the Sound, federal funding through the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Acts is desperately needed to reach the goals of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that has been developed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Yet this CR cuts this program by over 50%!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">This attack by the House Republicans on environmental spending is the wrong course, and does little to put our nation on the road to economic and environmental recovery. Investments in local environmental restoration jobs that cannot be exported elsewhere must be prioritized and not undone when the demand for this funding could not be greater. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">In <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> alone, over $70 million worth of projects was applied for in the first year of funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and while the $20 million in funding received by the state is just beginning to yield dividends, we cannot afford to lose ground. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">The longer we wait to reverse the decline of our coastal ecosystems like the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, and other of our nation’s great water ecosystems, the costs to bring these places back increase drastically, greatly decreasing the returns on our nation’s investment. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Therefore I urge you to vote against these cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Restoration and Stewardship Acts and other EPA Water Programs are the wrong course, and amendments that would handicap the EPA to protect the water and air resources we all depend on. </div><div class="MsoNormal">In addition, I urge you to oppose the elimination of funding for the State Wildlife Grants Program, the nation’s core program for keeping species from becoming endangered and keeps people working to monitor and improve the habitats that our fish and wildlife rely on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">This proposed elimination comes at a time when bird and wildlife watching is the fastest growing outdoor recreation bringing in billions in revenue from this ecotourism. Our state wildlife agencies and organizations need this which every state and territory in the nation gets their share of the funding based on a formula. Therefore every state benefits and every state will be negatively impacted by this program’s elimination.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is why I urge my colleagues to vote against this assault on environmental programs, and take a scalpel to our systemic budgetary problems, instead of a hatchet to funding for our forest, water and wildlife. The health of our economy, future generations and the planet depend on it.”</div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-25191013907842622172011-02-10T16:03:00.000-05:002011-02-10T16:03:32.329-05:00Oysters to the Rescue in New York<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Facebook is something people either seem to love or hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few people are neutral<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be a huge distraction, but used properly, it can be a very informative and engaging tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides connecting with family and friends, more and more organizations and businesses are using facebook to reach out and spread messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its less technologically challenging than an RSS feed, and easy to set up and subscribe to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, Friends of the Bay has a facebook page, so if you are on Facebook, become a fan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the articles which was posted on my facebook page concerned a lecture given at the Museum of Modern Art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum held an exhibit called Rising Currents, which featured plans for dealing with the impacts of coastal sea level rise on New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of this exhibit, a lecture was given by Kate Orff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate is a landscape architect and Assistant Professor at Columbia University, and is a founder of a firm called SCAPE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate’s work at Columbia focuses on the integration of design disciplines and earth sciences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kate explained in her lecture that she is passionate about the how the geography of America has shaped history and the American character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is attempting to blend the fields of urbanism and ecology to address sea level rise and climate change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her efforts to do so she has found a “new hero in the global climate change war, and that is the eastern oyster…albeit a very small creature and very modest, this creature is incredible, because it can agglomerate into these mega-reef structures, it can grow, you can grow it, and did I mention its quite tasty.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(well, we knew that!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate used the oyster as a basis for a design project she calls oyster-tecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crux of this very interesting idea is to utilize the power of oysters, eel grass and mussels to help combat sea level rise and cleanse even the infamous Gowanus Canal of pollution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one time, oysters the size of dinner plates grew in the canal, so this is kind of a back to the future idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate believes that by developing an oyster reef in the harbor, the islands that were in New Harbor at one time would be re-created and would help to serve as wave buffers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oysters, of course, would provide water filtration and cleansing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate certainly gives a lot of credit to the role of oysters in New York’s history – stating that New York was built on the backs of oystermen, and the streets built on oyster shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She goes on to describe how artificial reefs might be built using ropes, and how possibly the reefs could even become a public space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flupsys (floating upwelling systems) are a key part of her plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the same flupsys that can be seen at The WaterFront Center, or lining the side of Mill Neck Creek by Frank M. Flower and Sons hatchery in Bayville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oyster gardens are also part of her plans for the canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a very interesting concept, and one that should be explored further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The full lecture can be seen from a link at the Friends of the Bay blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-76500270417699845322011-01-20T11:34:00.000-05:002011-01-20T11:34:31.980-05:00Long Island Sound HealthThe 2010 Edition of Long Island Sound Health is out - it is a wealth of information for anyone interested in Long Island Sound. Its especially valuable for students! <a href="http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2010/12/sound-health-2010/">Long Island Sound Health </a>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-42518333492520239622011-01-12T11:15:00.000-05:002011-01-12T11:15:47.137-05:00Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee Coordinator Position<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><b></b></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></b></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Oyster Bay / Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Oyster Bay, New York<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Oyster Bay/ Cold Spring Harbor watershed located on the north shore of Long Island, New York is a 40 square mile watershed that has been subject to increasing environmental threatsin recent years. These include illegal dumping, polluted stormwater, development pressureand impairments to shellfishing, public bathing, fish consumption, habitat/hydrology, aquatic life and recreation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In order to help protect andenhance the water quality of these two harbors and their tributaries in the most cost-efficient and effective manner, awatershed-wide inter-municipal committee was recently formed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sixteen (16) of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eighteen (18) municipalities located within the watershed have so far agreed to join the committee, which is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>known as the Oyster Bay / Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee (OB/CSH PC).</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Town of Oyster Bay (one of those municipalities) has secured a grant under the Long Island Sound Futures Fund which provides funding to hire a part time Coordinator to facilitate the further development of the Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Responsibilities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Duties include but are not limited to the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Advance the current steering committee to a working committee<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Develop a mission statement, a needs statement, and a work plan<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investigate various options for OB/CSH PC’s legal structure, decision-making, future funding mechanisms and procedures for those municipalities who want to join the partnership, develop grant proposals as appropriate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investigate Inter-Municipal Agreement (“IMA”) structures and develop an IMA for the municipalities to sign and join the partnership <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conduct educational outreach and coordinate among the municipalities<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Develop a website<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coordinate with the Friends of the Bay in the development of a <u>Watershed Action Plan</u>. The Plan will lead to future actions that improve water quality, protect habitat and living resources, educate and involve the public, improve the long term understanding of how to manage the Long Island Sound and its embayments, monitor progress and redirect management efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to the <u>Watershed Action Plan</u>, compile all existing plans related to the harbor complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investigate the establishment of model codes for the participating municipalitie</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Develop grant proposals as appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">To the extent that time is available within the established hours, additional duties may be determined by OB/CSH PC.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The position may require attendance at evening meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; page-break-after: avoid; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Office space for the Coordinator will be available at the Friends of the Bay offices located in the hamlet of Oyster Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In addition to the amount described above, the Coordinator will have a budget for contractual services, supplies and materials and travel to carry out the duties described above.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Qualifications<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The criteria to be used by the Town in evaluating these proposals shall be the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The magnitude, scope and complexity of the services to be rendered<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The experience of the Proposer in assignments of similar size, scope and complexity<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Special knowledge relevant to the project<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 27.0pt .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Proposer's knowledge and experience with municipal governments; with Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbors; with federal, state and local laws and regulations aimed at protecting watersheds and water quality and with various stakeholder and interest groups that are likely to be involved with the mission of OB/CSH PC.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 27.0pt .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 27.0pt list .5in left 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -21.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Proposer’s writing and public speaking abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in left 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -21.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Proposer’s past performance with the Town and/or any of the other Committee municipalities or other municipalities facing similar needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in left 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -21.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time constraints and deliverability service; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in left 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -21.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ability of the Proposer to work by himself or herself; and<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-hyphenate: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in left 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in; text-indent: -21.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Experience using Microsoft Office (including Word and Excel), internet. GIS a plus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.5in 2.5in 3.5in 4.5in 5.5in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Compensation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The value of the Coordinator’s contract shall not exceed $41,615 over a period of 15 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Coordinator will be paid on an hourly basis. It is anticipated that the Coordinator will work an average of 20 to 25 hours per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Coordinator shall work as an independent contractor for the Town of Oyster Bay and shall be paid upon submission and approval of a Town claim form, time sheets and any other backup determined necessary by the Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benefits are not included with this position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The position will be subject to quarterly reviews.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Closing Date<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The closing date and time are Friday, January 28<sup>th</sup> at 4:00 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proposals must be RECEIVED by that time. Proposals must be submitted in hard copy and mailed or hand-delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No electronic proposals will be considered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Additional Details<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Additional details can be found in the Request For Proposals (RFP) package that will be provided upon request.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To Apply<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Contact Eric Swenson at (516) 677-5790 or </span><a href="mailto:eswenson@oysterbay-ny.gov"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">eswenson@oysterbay-ny.gov</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to request a Request For Proposals (RFP) package.<o:p></o:p></span></div></b></span>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-52305816017785310122011-01-07T14:46:00.000-05:002011-01-07T14:46:34.202-05:00Bottled Water Report from the Environmental Working GroupThe Environmental Working Group has just published its survey of 173 bottled water products. No surprise - tap water is best! Read the full results and compare your brand here - <a href="http://breakingnews.ewg.org/bottled-water-2011-home?inlist=Y&utm_source=bottledwaterrelease&utm_medium=email&utm_content=first-link&utm_campaign=water">Environmental Working Group Bottled Water Survey</a>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-35614293902064817682010-12-29T12:09:00.000-05:002010-12-29T12:09:56.550-05:002010 Stormwater ReportThe Town of Oyster Bay has published their draft stormwater report, it is available on the Town of Oyster Bay website.Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-54113451924183833522010-12-29T12:05:00.002-05:002010-12-29T12:05:57.187-05:00OB/CSH Protection Committee featured in Talk of the Town!Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-85945868971509844672010-12-29T11:17:00.000-05:002010-12-29T11:17:22.791-05:00Update on Centre Island Property<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">On December 27, the Centre Island Zoning Board of Appeals denied the applicants request for several variances that would have allowed for the building of a house on an environmentally sensitive Centre Island Beach.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">According to state law, three members of the five-member board have to vote in favor of the variances in order to approve them. Because one recused himself and another has moved from Centre Island, only three members voted. Two voted in favor of the variances. One brave member voted against them to prevent this potentially harmful development. </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The ZBA member that acted to protect the beach said there were several factors in her decision. She noted that the entire parcel of land is below the 12-foot elevation required by the Village of Centre Island’s building code. She also pointed out that the proposed septic system would be built on a beach situated between Oyster Bay and a tidal wetland that is regularly flooded. </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">This same ZBA member, who has lived on Centre Island for 33 years and served on the board for many years, also pointed to what appear to be inconsistencies between the plot plans that the applicant presented to New York’s Department of Conservation in his application for a wetland permit and those he sent to the Village. </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Village Attorney noted that the applicants lot did not meet the legal requirements for Centre Island lots when it was created in the 1950s. The Village Attorney also said he could not find any evidence that a variance was granted at that time.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It is not clear what will happen next. The applicant has engaged a law firm that prides itself on its ability to use the court system to overcome local opposition to developing controversial projects. During the hearings that came before this week’s decision, the applicant's lawyer made it clear that they were prepared to litigate if the Village did not provide the requested variances.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This is good news for the moment. We will keep you apprised of changes if they occur.</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thank you for your support. </span>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-32478177309919650542010-12-21T14:57:00.002-05:002010-12-21T14:57:25.775-05:00Christmas Greetings<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of us at Friends of the Bay wish you the best of health and happiness in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year, with new opportunities to protect and preserve our beautiful harbor and upland areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Watershed Action Plan will be completed in 2011. It will provide a roadmap for on the ground initiatives that will address many of the issues identified in the State of the Watershed Report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a vision for the future that is being developed by the community.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the programs and initiatives we are looking forward to working on include a restoration of Beekman Creek, developing an Information Resource Center, planning a Blueway Trail, fish passage projects and creation of bio-retention basins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, we will continue to monitor the water in our harbor, ponds and streams, perform beach cleanups and conduct our lecture series.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These projects will all be accomplished in partnership with local municipalities, other organizations and with support from volunteers and residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends of the Bay believes that when citizens and communities are informed and engaged in local decision making a powerful vision for the future can be developed and environmental issues can be resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Working on the Watershed Action Plan has been both a humbling and energizing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very grateful to all of you who have come to the planning meetings, submitted comments and offered expertise and energy to this project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have shown yourselves to be deeply committed to your community and to protecting this beautiful part of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-46067951166625936012010-12-21T14:56:00.002-05:002010-12-21T14:56:36.045-05:00Concerned Citizens of Centre Island<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Concerned Citizens of Centre Island have asked us to help spread the news regarding the development of an extraordinary and environmentally sensitive property on Centre Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A decision on the proposed development is forthcoming from the Centre Island Zoning Board of Appeals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.25pt 0pt 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The property, located at 223 Beach Road, is a narrow piece of low-lying sandy beach at the base of Eastover Road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lies between one of the largest tidal wetlands on Long Island’s North Shore and Oyster Bay itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the denial of a building permit, the owner now seeks substantial variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to develop this sensitive site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sewage system to this property would be built less than two feet underground and would be below the ten year flood elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It poses a strong risk of sewage spills directly into Oyster Bay and the nearby wetland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Village of Centre Island’s own engineer has expressed his reluctance to allow the waiver of state and county sewage requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coastal sea rise also has to be considered, since this construction will be so close to the shoreline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.25pt 0pt 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As environmental caretakers and stewards, Friends of the Bay is deeply concerned regarding this property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For over 20 years, Friends of the Bay has zealously protected the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor estuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The estuary is the cleanest of all the 13 embayments on the north shore of Long Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Residents and visitors can safely swim, fish and boat in these waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The possibility of having sewage discharges into the harbor is one which we take very seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our waters are home to an economically significant and environmentally sustainable shellfishing industry, as well as being a recreational resource for swimmers and fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a home for thousands of migratory waterfowl, and has been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.25pt 0pt 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County are making a substantial investment in connecting an inadequate sewage treatment facility in Locust Valley (the Birches) to the sewage treatment facility in Glen Cove in order to remediate sewage discharages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To allow another sewage overflow situation to possibly develop does not seem to be a wise course for the Village of Centre Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends of the Bay is not anti-development, provided that projects address environmental concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some proposals, such as the one at 223 Beach Road, are so environmentally sensitive that these concerns cannot be alleviated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This property should be considered for acquisition and preservation.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.25pt 0pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.25pt 0pt 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Concerned Citizens for Centre Island have created an online petition which can be found at </span><a href="http://www.karma411.com/concernedcitizens"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.karma411.com/concernedcitizens</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The petition, as well as more information regarding the site, can be found there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-62658143625667453722010-12-21T14:55:00.002-05:002010-12-21T14:55:33.811-05:00Mill Pond Overlook<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Members of the Oyster Bay community came together in the Friends of the Bay office on the evening of November 18 to review conceptual plans prepared by Cameron Engineering for the Mill Pond Overlook property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plans were developed in consultation with an advisory committee which consisted of representatives from the Town Of Oyster Bay, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Shore Land Alliance and Friends of the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cameron Engineering considered the topography and ecology of the site in developing their plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some magnificent beech, tulip and black walnut trees, as well as some remnant ornamental species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invasive species, like Norway Maples, Asian bittersweet, and English Ivy would need to be removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many bird species utilize the woods, especially during the spring and fall migrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are interesting man-made features on the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them, an old concrete pad on the lower part of the wetland may have been a cow barn at one time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember seeing a picture of cows grazing on the property in the early 1900s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone has knowledge of this, or has any information on this concrete pad, your assistance would be appreciated in clarifying what purpose this served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also an old chimney which has toppled over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are challenges and opportunities in developing a conceptual plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are steep slopes between the upper meadow and the lower edge of the property bordering the Mill Pond, as well as erosion and illegal dumping activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are multiple opportunities for educational activities, and passive recreation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were two conceptual plans presented by Cameron Engineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both plans call for signage and educational materials which will be used to highlight ecological and historical features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The signage would be vandal resistant, and possibly podcasts or audio walking tours could be developed to further inform visitors to the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A split rail fence along the lower property edge was proposed to form a boundary with the Refuge property and protect habitat, as well as a fence along the slope at the hill top for safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some trees (Norway Maples) would be removed and others limbed up to allow open views to the pond and encourage understory growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sufficient tree cover would be retained to prevent erosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The major differences in the plans are the way in which parking is designed, and the manner in which the upper meadow area is utilized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complete presentation, including the draft conceptual plans, can be viewed on the Friends of the Bay website at </span><a href="http://www.friendsofthebay.org/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.friendsofthebay.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the presentation, attendees divided into three groups to consider the conceptual plans, comment upon them and make suggestions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The general consensus of the group present seemed to be that the best use of the space would be for passive recreational activities and education and that “less is more.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you wish to submit a comment, or make a suggestion about the way in which the Mill Pond Overlook could be utilized, you may do so at Friends of the Bay’s blog, which can be reached from our website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Barry Lamb, President of the Board of Friends of the Bay said “It was evident that the conceptual plans presented were already very in tune with what the community had in mind for this property; low impact access that allows for the enjoyment of this beautiful area. The community members who attended offered some very insightful ideas, many of which will likely be incorporated into the final plan.”</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The next step in the process is to incorporate the public comments into the draft final plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comments on the Mill Pond Overlook Plan can be submitted until December 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-81603719688591196032010-11-23T14:26:00.001-05:002010-11-25T08:34:29.260-05:00Draft Watershed Action Plan<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A draft Watershed Action Plan document has been circulated to the Steering Committee. This document is not a draft of the actual Watershed Action Plan but an outline of the plan goals, objectives, and action items as a starting point for discussion with the steering committee. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
We expect this draft to evolve based on feedback from the steering committee. Once the group reaches consensus on the goals, objectives and action items, we will begin to write the actual plan, which will be formatted similar to the Nissequogue River Stewardship Acton Plan and will also contain other items to meet the EPA nine elements - priorities, responsibilities, schedule, outcomes, load reductions, etc. We will also be developing site specific and targeted restoration concepts as the plan develops.</span></div><br />
You may post comments on this blog, or submit them directly to me at <a href="mailto:p.aitken@friendsofthebay.org">p.aitken@friendsofthebay.org</a>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-43212817668651381382010-11-20T07:35:00.000-05:002010-11-20T07:35:13.986-05:00Mill Pond Management PlanThank you to all who attended the mill pond overlook meeting. The comments submitted were thoughtful and well considered. For those of who were not able to be there, we have posted a copy of the presentation which was given by Cameron engineering. You may download a copy of the powerpoint presentation here - <a href="http://www.friendsofthebay.org/pdfs/MPO_Public_Meeting.pdf">Mill Pond Overlook</a>. Please submit comments, we welcome your input. Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-5827746888583006572010-11-18T18:27:00.001-05:002010-11-18T18:28:33.088-05:00How's The Water - The Wave by Susan Casey<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I seem to finally have some time to catch up on some reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it is that I am no longer lured outside by light, and now that the night comes early, I am more inclined to stay inside and read some of the books that have caught my attention and put on my “read later” list.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of these books is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wave</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Pursuit of Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean </i>by Susan Casey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a examination of the huge “rogue waves” that were once regarded as mariner’s tales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casey starts the book with describing a harrowing voyage taken by a British research ship in the North Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scientists aboard and their equipment were battered and damaged, but the equipment kept working and recorded seas at 60 feet, and some waves of 90 feet or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waves of 87 feet or more were also recorded by instruments on an oil platform in the North Sea.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">The two disparate groups interviewed by Casey about the phenomenon of rogue waves each bring their own insight and impressive knowledge of the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would know and watch the sea better than competitive surfers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may not have scientific degrees (although at least one surfer pursued his love and wish to understand the sea better to acquire a doctorate in physics) but surfers have an ability to read the wind and the waves, and draw on their experience to judge the big waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They too increasingly avail themselves of satellite tracking and technology to monitor the weather and ocean currents, to know where the next big waves will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if surfing were not inherently dangerous enough, the most highly competitive surfers now use jet skis to have themselves towed out to the highest and most dangerous waves, some 80 feet or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all speak of the thrill and rush of successfully surfing such a wave, but when they falter the consequences are catastrophic and can be deadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laird Hamilton, a champion surfer followed by Casey in her research, has had over 1,000 stitches and multiple broken bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">The physicists and oceanographers all seek to understand how rogue waves work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, there is no universally accepted description for what even a simple wave, such as we see lapping the shores in Oyster Bay harbor, is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many complex forces at work, the interplay of wind, gravity, climate and physics, which make waves hard to understand, mode and define.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important to better understand waves, since every week at least two ships are lost at sea worldwide and never heard from again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rogue waves are believed to be the cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casey makes an interesting visit to Lloyd’s of London, which insures so many international vessels, and describes the mournful ceremony of striking the Lutine bell every time a ship is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost in human life is substantial, as is damage to the environment from the cargoes spilled into the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">The climatologists, oceanographers and physicists all agree that we know and understand the surface of the moon better than we know our oceans and sea floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They predict that with climate change there will be more rogue waves as the ocean warms, and storms become stronger and more frequent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a wave hits a populated area, as evidenced by the Indonesian Tsunami, the damage will be catastrophic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">This is a very interesting and challenging book and would make a great addition to your winter reading list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-46982064815281292012010-11-04T19:37:00.000-04:002010-11-04T19:37:57.701-04:00the Public is Invited....<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 28pt;">PUBLIC MEETING</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><stockticker w:st="on"><span>MILL</span></stockticker><span> POND OVERLOOK</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Habitat Management Plan</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, November 18, 7-9 PM</span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span>At the offices of Friends of the Bay</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><street w:st="on"><address w:st="on"><span>111 South Street, Suite 2</span></address></street><span> <street w:st="on"><address w:st="on">Townsend Square</address></street> <place w:st="on">Oyster Bay</place></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span>Join your neighbors and friends to provide input regarding the Habitat Management Plan for the Mill Pond Overlook property on Mill River Road.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span>The meeting will include a presentation by the Town of Oyster Bay’s</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span>environmental planning consultants,</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span>followed by the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span>regarding the preliminary concepts shown in the presentation.</span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-21604913922225347122010-11-04T19:30:00.000-04:002010-11-04T19:30:40.176-04:00Book Review - Four Fish by Paul Greenberg<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Four Fish</i> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Future of the Last Wild Food </i>by Paul Greenberg is a beautifully written examination of the complexities involved in our relationship with fish as a food source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The four fish referred to in the title are salmon, cod, tuna and sea bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greenberg raises many questions – the depletion of fish stocks by overfishing to the point where the survival of species is questionable, and the practices of fish farming, which can spread disease to wild fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount of wild fish necessary to feed the fish being farmed is considerable, and depletes another stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He examines each of these four fish species, and the possibilities of whether or not they can be farmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the greatest challenges posed is the very nature of the fish themselves – they roam the world’s oceans across international boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to protect fish stocks, nations must agree on when and where, and what methods should be used to harvest fish, if they should be harvested at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greenberg makes a convincing case that it may be already too late to save bluefin tuna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author writes lyrically “If salmon led us out of the Neolithic caves in the highlands down to the mouths of rivers, if sea bass and other coastal perciforms led us from the safety of the shore to the reefs and rocks that surround the coasts, and if cod and the gadiforms led us beyond the sight of land to the edges of the continental shelves, tuna have taken us over the precipice of the continental shelves into the abyss of the open sea – the final frontier of fishing and the place where the wildest things are making the last argument for the importance of an untamed ocean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He questions whether fish are wildlife that are sensitive to our actions and merit our sound protection and propagation in the way we take care of our terrestrially farmed animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For too long seafood was thought of as a crop that grows back every year and never required planting. The ocean seemed to be a limitless resource, but relentless and unsustainable industrial fish harvesting and habitat loss has taken its toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, as many as 100 million Atlantic salmon larvae hatched in the Connecticut River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dams and overfishing have destroyed that fishery, and there is no longer any wild Atlantic salmon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of the book, Greenberg suggests four actions which need to be taken to restore the health of fisheries:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. a profound reduction in fishing effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The United Nations estimates the fishing fleet is twice as large as the oceans can support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fleets are subsidized by governments and consequently, wild fish are unreasonably cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there should be a conversion ofsignificant portions of ocean ecosystems to no-catch areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Key fish breeding and nursery habitats must be preserved as safe havens if fish stocks are to rebuild harvestable numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, only one percent of ocean habita t is protected</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gloobal protection of unmanageable species – species or stocks that straddle too many nations, like Atlantic bluefin tuna is necessary</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protection of the bottom of the food chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small forage fish like anchovies, sardines, capelin and herring, are a huge portion of fish caught. Removing the basic food source of the ocean can cause a fisheries collapse from below.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a marvelously written book which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>raises many thoughtful and important questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be up to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us to determine how important it is to preserve the last truly wild food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1.5pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baywatch stayed at the dock not last week, not due to wind or weather conditions, but due to an engine malfunction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the boat’s – I was in Syracuse for my niece’s wedding and my car broke down on the way to her reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I had the car towed, and spent a little time longer in Syracuse than I had planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, my niece and her new husband are a wonderful couple, and it was a lovely wedding, and family is what it is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to the next wedding already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Friends of the Bay volunteers are the best, and we will be extending our season by one week to get in another round of water quality monitoring to end out our year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-32685313472355792372010-10-17T21:25:00.001-04:002010-10-17T21:25:50.248-04:00The Majestic Plastic Bagthis is an eye opening mockumentary about the migration of a plastic bag - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw</a>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-87111101458266792112010-10-17T19:28:00.000-04:002010-10-17T19:28:14.876-04:00Watershed Action Plan MeetingThe next meeting for the Watershed Action Plan will be held on <strong>Wednesday, December 1</strong>, <strong>in the library of Oyster Bay High School at 7:00 pm. </strong>Please join us there. <br />
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The powerpoint presentation which was given at the meeting on October 12, and the survey, can be accessed through the Friends of the Bay website. (<a href="http://www.friendsofthebay.org/">http://www.friendsofthebay.org/</a>) Please take the opportunity to view the presentation. We have received well thought out and informed responses to our survey. This is your opportunity to voice your concerns about the watershed. If you have not already done so, take a minute to fill it out. Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-34432753878880545922010-10-07T10:29:00.000-04:002010-10-07T10:29:59.598-04:00Plum IslandYesterday I had the opportunity to visit Plum Island. Its a beautiful place. There are many reasons to preserve it, which are all listed on the website for the Preserve Plum Island website - <a href="http://www.preserveplumisland.org/">http://www.preserveplumisland.org/</a>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-81480630831957782102010-10-04T13:22:00.001-04:002010-10-04T14:48:35.480-04:00Watershed Action Plan Public Meeting Rescheduled - New Date, New Venue<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watershed Action Plan Public Meeting Rescheduled: Tuesday, October 12, 7:00 pm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Venue! - Oyster Bay High School, 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and its watershed have been facing increasing challenges in recent years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends of the Bay is committed to the protection, preservation and restoration of the watershed area and is actively involved in water quality issues, watershed and wetlands conservation,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and land use planning., Research, education, community action and advocacy are at the core of FOB’s mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Steering Committee will work with the project team to identify, discuss and evaluate strategies to address the watershed management goals and objectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Watershed Action Plan will be developed consistent with EPA and NYSDEC guidance for the development of watershed-based plans, which includes nine key elements that establish the structure of the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These nine elements include specific goals, objectives, and strategies to protect and restore water quality; methods to build and strengthen working partnerships; a dual focus on addressing existing problems and preventing new ones; a strategy for implementing the plan; and a feedback loop to evaluate progress and revise the plan as necessary. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends of the Bay has received some very interesting, well considered and thought provoking responses to our survey. If you have a few minutes, please fill it out - <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/773Q8ZX">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/773Q8ZX</a>. If you are planning on attending, it would be better to have your responses ahead of time. And if you cannot attend, you will still be able to have your voice heard. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those individuals interested in participating on the Steering Committee should be available to attend three meetings to be scheduled between September 2010 and early January 2011, and to review and provide comments on various draft project documents during the planning process.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information regarding the Steering Committee or to volunteer to participate in the Committee, please contact Ms. Patricia Aitken, Executive Director of FOB, at (516) 922-6666 or by email at p.aitken@friendsofthebay.org.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please place “Steering Committee” in the subject line of the email.</span></div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-89161629744451229442010-10-01T13:47:00.000-04:002010-10-01T13:47:05.128-04:00Watershed Action Plan RescheduledThe Watershed Action Plan Public Meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 12 at 7:00 pm.<br />
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CHANGE OF VENUE: The meeting will be held in the library at Oyster Bay High School, 150 East Main Street, Oyster Bay.<br />
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Please confirm that you will be attending this meeting. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Friends of the Bay is committed to the protection, preservation and restoration of the watershed area and is actively involved in water quality issues, watershed and wetlands conservation, and land use planning. Research, education, community action and advocacy are at the core of FOB’s mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are reaching out to the community to know what concerns you have about the environment within our watershed area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Steering Committee will work with the project team to develop prioritized action items and measurable goals to protect and improve the health of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor watershed and estuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For more information regarding the Steering Committee or to volunteer to participate in the Committee, please contact Ms. Patricia Aitken, Executive Director of FOB, at (516) 922-6666 or by email at p.aitken@friendsofthebay.org.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please place “Steering Committee” in the subject line of the email.</div>Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-1044524935590029382010-09-30T06:55:00.002-04:002010-09-30T06:55:31.480-04:00Watershed Action Plan Public Meeting PostponedDue to the inclement weather, the Watershed Action Plan Meeting has been postponed. Please watch the blog for a reschedule date. Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2789027190415783897.post-22017770655812331112010-09-28T11:04:00.000-04:002010-09-28T11:04:15.557-04:00Watershed Action Plan SurveyThe public is invited to attend the Watershed Action Plan Meeting on Thursday, September 30 at Christ Church, 7:00 pm. Even if you can't make it, please take a minute to fill out a short survey <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/773Q8ZX">Watershed Action Plan Survey</a>. Friends of the Bay wants to hear your voice. Friends of the Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744754401164427400noreply@blogger.com0