The DRBC has scheduled a special meeting on Nov 21, 2011 to consider adoption of the regulations. This meeting, open to the public, will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is [...]]]>

Delaware River Basin

The DRBC has scheduled a special meeting on Nov 21, 2011 to consider adoption of the regulations. This meeting, open to the public, will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the development and operation of natural gas projects. The commission received approximately 69,000 submissions on the draft natural gas development regulations that were originally published on December 9, 2010.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

On November 21st the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will vote to approve a plan that will allow for 20,000 or more fracked gas wells in the Delaware River Basin.

Below is an excerpt from http://savethedelaware.wordpress.com/.

THE CRUCIAL VOTE:

The DRBC is an interstate body with five voting members, the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey and the Obama Administration as represented by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Three out of five votes will either pass or reject the plan to frack the Delaware River.

It seems clear that the Governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania will vote to allow fracking on a huge scale in the River Basin, which is why we need all three remaining votes in order to prevail.

Not only is the Delaware River the source of drinking water for 16 million people (or 5% of Americans), it is a designated Wild and Scenic river, a tourist destination for 5.4 million people a year and a national treasure.  The proposed plan to frack the Delaware would forever industrialize and contaminate this precious and currently pristine watershed.  We can work together now to protect our water.

Two things you can do:

1) Make calls.  2) Come in a protest effort on November 21st.

MAKE CALLS RIGHT NOW:

Call the Army Corps of Engineers to urge them to vote no fracking in the Delaware River Basin.  Tell them you will hold President Obama accountable for the vote and make it clear that you know that it is his decision.  703 697 4672  Leave a message for Jo Ellen Darcy, Obama’s rep on the DRBC

Call Governor Jack Markell of Delaware.  Delaware has been sitting on the fence on fracking.  We need them clearly and unequivocally voting no.  Tell him to vote no fracking on the upcoming DRBC vote.  302-577-3210

Call Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York.  Tell him to oppose fracking in the Delaware River Basin watershed, just as he has in the New York city and Syracuse watersheds.  518-474-8390

PROTEST on NOVEMBER 21st in Trenton, N.J.

When: November 21, 8 am

Where: Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive Trenton, N.J.

For more information go to savethedelawareriver.com or visit delawareriverkeeper.org

In our busy lives it’s easy to put the trash out on the curb and forget about [...]]]> Earlier this month, Philadelphia Mayor Nutter presented his budget proposal to city counsel which included a $300 annual trash fee per household.  Other local municipalities, like Norristown, recently announced a trash hauling fee as well.

In our busy lives it’s easy to put the trash out on the curb and forget about it.  Don’t get me wrong, I have at times been a big fan of the ignorance is bliss philosophy.  When it comes to the challenge of trash, there are serious consequences that are not only affecting us now but will compound for our children and future generations.

From our curbs trash goes to landfills some of which are in our neighborhoods and in some cases, trash is hauled around the world on barges spilling into our oceans along the way.

I recently spoke with a resident of Norristown who was outraged that the borough would add expenses to struggling families in these economic times.  I listened and empathize with the financial burden on so many American families today and agree with my N-town neighbor…garbage costs.              

• It costs us all financially whether you pay a hauler yourself or pay a tax or fee to your local government.
• It costs us in land as this trash must be “stored” somewhere. Currently we fill and close one landfill a year in the U.S.
• It costs our health as these garbage “storage” facilities can and have polluted groundwater and air.  Landfill leachates rank as some of the most frequently recorded pollutants.  Emissions from landfills produce smog causing respiratory problems like asthma.
• It costs us environmentally by contaminating soil and producing powerful green house gas.  Decomposition in landfills can create methane gas.

In other cities in other parts of the world trash is handled quite differently it is common to pay to have your waste removed and the more garbage you produce the more you pay.  The incentive to produce less waste of is real and monetary.  Perhaps this model, would work well in U.S. cities.

There have been some brave experiments like that of “No Impact Man” and his family in New York City who spent a year of their lives working towards producing no trash.  To find our more about his project visit Colin Beavan’s blog.

The really good news is that we can make small changes which will help these waste woes.  Here are a few easy tips that will make a difference!

• Minimum Packaging – try to buy items with the least amount of packaging
• Preferred Packaging – if you buy packaged goods and we all do choose those packaged in recyclable materials like aluminum, paper and plastics #1 and #2
• Bring your own bags – millions of plastic bags are thrown away annually.
• Avoid disposables – Here are some tips that can really save you money.  Cloth napkins instead of paper, Rags instead of paper towels, Stainless steel lunch containers and water bottles.
• Donate or Freecycle.org – Don’t throw out items that still have some life left in them.  Someone else can benefit.
• Recycle – Every item that can be recycled or repurposed stays out of the land fill.

I have touched on a few happenings in the world of trash.  If you have ideas about garbage, let me know. 

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