A SIUC student is asking local businesses to only offer straws upon request. So far, businesses that have signed on for "Straws Upon Request" include Longbranch, Reemas, Tres Hombres, Quatros and El Greco's. Starbuck's is already phasing them out. Going strawless appears a national movement as there are several dozen communities that have either voluntarily or by ordinance made straws available only on reques.
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Monday, April 27, 2015
Koppers
For those following the Kopper's site cleanup, here is the latest update on how it is progressing:
Items Performed/Completed Since Previous Report:
On March 5, 2015, USEPA provided written comments on the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA)
that was submitted by Beazer on November 26, 2014.
On March 24, 2015, the Carbondale City Council approved a Special Use Permit for a commercial solar
energy facility at the Site.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on March 12
and 26, 2015.
USEPA and ARCADIS participated on a conference call on March 19 to discuss USEPA comments
related to developing a revised groundwater monitoring program for the Site.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 87 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 46
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through March 2015 are 19,190 gallons from the barrier trench and 7,673
gallons from RW-23.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next One to Two Months:
Beazer, USEPA and others will work on action items from the February 18, 2015 meeting, as
documented in a February 23, 2015 letter from Beazer and as discussed during the March 12, 2015
conference call.
Beazer will submit a revised HHRA to USEPA.
USEPA will provide comments on the October 2008 Draft Groundwater Monitoring Plan.
Beazer and USEPA will participate in a conference call to discuss an ecological risk management
approach for the Site.
Beazer will propose a draft scope of a monitored natural recovery (MNR) program for residual impacted
sediment areas.
Beazer, USEPA and others will continue to participate in corrective action coordination conference calls.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next Two to Six Months:
Beazer will continue to advance proposed future Site uses, including conservation land use and
commercial solar energy.
USEPA will conduct a public meeting in Carbondale.
Items that May Cause Delay in Implementing Future Activities and Efforts (if any) to Limit Such
Delays:
None.
Items Performed/Completed Since Previous Report:
On March 5, 2015, USEPA provided written comments on the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA)
that was submitted by Beazer on November 26, 2014.
On March 24, 2015, the Carbondale City Council approved a Special Use Permit for a commercial solar
energy facility at the Site.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on March 12
and 26, 2015.
USEPA and ARCADIS participated on a conference call on March 19 to discuss USEPA comments
related to developing a revised groundwater monitoring program for the Site.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 87 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 46
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through March 2015 are 19,190 gallons from the barrier trench and 7,673
gallons from RW-23.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next One to Two Months:
Beazer, USEPA and others will work on action items from the February 18, 2015 meeting, as
documented in a February 23, 2015 letter from Beazer and as discussed during the March 12, 2015
conference call.
Beazer will submit a revised HHRA to USEPA.
USEPA will provide comments on the October 2008 Draft Groundwater Monitoring Plan.
Beazer and USEPA will participate in a conference call to discuss an ecological risk management
approach for the Site.
Beazer will propose a draft scope of a monitored natural recovery (MNR) program for residual impacted
sediment areas.
Beazer, USEPA and others will continue to participate in corrective action coordination conference calls.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next Two to Six Months:
Beazer will continue to advance proposed future Site uses, including conservation land use and
commercial solar energy.
USEPA will conduct a public meeting in Carbondale.
Items that May Cause Delay in Implementing Future Activities and Efforts (if any) to Limit Such
Delays:
None.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Koppers Update
Here's an update from Beazer on the company's activity cleaning up the former Kopper's site:
On September 5, 2014, USEPA provided preliminary comments on Attachments 1 and 2 of the Human Health Risk Assessment Work Plan (HHRA Work Plan).
On September 11, 2014, Beazer submitted a letter to USEPA responding to USEPA’s August 19 and September 5, 2014 comments on the HHRA Work Plan.
On September 19, 2014, USEPA submitted a follow-up letter to Dr. Brian Klubek (Concerned
Carbondale Citizens), providing a modified response regarding groundwater sampling for dioxins/furans.
On September 26, 2014, USEPA approved Beazer’s September 11, 2014 responses to USEPA’s
comments on the HHRA Work Plan, and requested a revised/final HHRA Work Plan by October 17,
2014.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on September 4 and 18, 2014.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal, CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 86 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 28 gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through September 2014 are 18,530 gallons from the barrier trench and
7,504 gallons from RW-23.
On September 5, 2014, USEPA provided preliminary comments on Attachments 1 and 2 of the Human Health Risk Assessment Work Plan (HHRA Work Plan).
On September 11, 2014, Beazer submitted a letter to USEPA responding to USEPA’s August 19 and September 5, 2014 comments on the HHRA Work Plan.
On September 19, 2014, USEPA submitted a follow-up letter to Dr. Brian Klubek (Concerned
Carbondale Citizens), providing a modified response regarding groundwater sampling for dioxins/furans.
On September 26, 2014, USEPA approved Beazer’s September 11, 2014 responses to USEPA’s
comments on the HHRA Work Plan, and requested a revised/final HHRA Work Plan by October 17,
2014.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on September 4 and 18, 2014.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal, CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 86 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 28 gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through September 2014 are 18,530 gallons from the barrier trench and
7,504 gallons from RW-23.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Koppers Cleanup Update
For those following the cleanup at the old Koppers railroad tie manufacturing plant, even more important now because of the desire of Brightfields to install a solar array there for energy production, here is the most recent status report on the cleanup. Beezer is the company handling the actual cleanup:
On July 14, 2014, Beazer submitted to USEPA tables and a figure summarizing available soil sample
data for the railroad property and 35-foot Beazer-owned swath located south of the Site.
On July 28, 2014, Beazer submitted to USEPA a Human Health Risk Assessment Work Plan.
On July 29, 2014, USEPA responded to questions received from the Concerned Carbondale Citizens.
On July 30, 2014, Beazer and Brightfields conducted a public information session for solar land use at
the Site.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on July 11
and 24, 2014.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 70 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 20
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through July 2014 are 18,321 gallons from the barrier trench and 7,438
gallons from RW-23.
On July 14, 2014, Beazer submitted to USEPA tables and a figure summarizing available soil sample
data for the railroad property and 35-foot Beazer-owned swath located south of the Site.
On July 28, 2014, Beazer submitted to USEPA a Human Health Risk Assessment Work Plan.
On July 29, 2014, USEPA responded to questions received from the Concerned Carbondale Citizens.
On July 30, 2014, Beazer and Brightfields conducted a public information session for solar land use at
the Site.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on July 11
and 24, 2014.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 70 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 20
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through July 2014 are 18,321 gallons from the barrier trench and 7,438
gallons from RW-23.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Koppers Update
Given the amount of controversy the Concerned Carbondale Citizens group has ginned up in the past several months over the BrightFields Solar Array project on the Koppers site, I found the most recent report provided by Beazer, the company tasked by the EPA with cleaning up the site, interesting reading.
Items Performed/Completed Since Previous Report:
On December 3, 2013, a group of local residents known as Concerned Carbondale Citizens submitted a
list of questions related to the Site and solar project to the Carbondale City Council.
On December 10, 2013, Brightfields submitted a letter to the City of Carbondale requesting that the City
Council temporarily postpone further consideration of Brightfield’s Special Use Permit Application until
after the two requested public meetings are held.
On December 20, 2013, FTS submitted the second 2013 semiannual RCRA groundwater sampling
data to IEPA.
On December 26, 2013, Beazer submitted the Shrew Population Pilot Study Report to USEPA.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on December
6 and 20, 2013.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 113 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 34
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through December 2013 are 17,641 gallons from the barrier trench and
7,228 gallons from RW-23.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next One to Two Months:
Beazer and Brightfields will continue to evaluate potential future solar land use at the Site.
USEPA will plan an additional public meeting.
Beazer and Brightfields will schedule additional public information sessions in conjunction with USEPA’s
public meeting.
Beazer, USEPA and others will participate in planned biweekly conference calls to discuss Site
corrective action and redevelopment activities.
Beazer and USEPA will participate in a meeting in Chicago to discuss various topics, including human
health and ecological risk assessments and the August 2012 sediment investigation findings.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next Two to Six Months:
Beazer will continue to evaluate potential future Site uses, including conservation land use and
commercial solar energy.
Items Performed/Completed Since Previous Report:
On December 3, 2013, a group of local residents known as Concerned Carbondale Citizens submitted a
list of questions related to the Site and solar project to the Carbondale City Council.
On December 10, 2013, Brightfields submitted a letter to the City of Carbondale requesting that the City
Council temporarily postpone further consideration of Brightfield’s Special Use Permit Application until
after the two requested public meetings are held.
On December 20, 2013, FTS submitted the second 2013 semiannual RCRA groundwater sampling
data to IEPA.
On December 26, 2013, Beazer submitted the Shrew Population Pilot Study Report to USEPA.
Beazer, USEPA and others participated in corrective action coordination conference calls on December
6 and 20, 2013.
Beazer continued post-construction OMM activities (e.g., DNAPL thickness measurements/removal,
CAMU leachate monitoring/removal, Site inspections, etc.).
Beazer collected approximately 113 gallons of DNAPL from the barrier trench and approximately 34
gallons of DNAPL from recovery well RW-23 during this reporting period. The approximate total
DNAPL volumes collected through December 2013 are 17,641 gallons from the barrier trench and
7,228 gallons from RW-23.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next One to Two Months:
Beazer and Brightfields will continue to evaluate potential future solar land use at the Site.
USEPA will plan an additional public meeting.
Beazer and Brightfields will schedule additional public information sessions in conjunction with USEPA’s
public meeting.
Beazer, USEPA and others will participate in planned biweekly conference calls to discuss Site
corrective action and redevelopment activities.
Beazer and USEPA will participate in a meeting in Chicago to discuss various topics, including human
health and ecological risk assessments and the August 2012 sediment investigation findings.
Items Anticipated to be Performed/Completed over the Next Two to Six Months:
Beazer will continue to evaluate potential future Site uses, including conservation land use and
commercial solar energy.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Crab Orchard Economic Impact
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge attracts about 1.2 million visitors annually and generates between 22 and 25 million dollars for the region, or roughly $14 in revenue for every $1 invested in the refuge. Not a bad return on our money.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sustainable City
This Wed. at 4 p.m. Awkward title though:
STATE OF THE SUSTAINABLE CITY
An Address by The Carbondale Climate Action Network
Wednesday December 9th 2009 4 pm
Civic Center, Room 118 Carbondale, IL
What is a sustainable city and why is it important that Carbondale become one? Furthermore, how would the city go about doing it? That is the focus of the State of the Sustainable City Address to be presented by The Carbondale Climate Action Network on Wednesday, December 9th at 4pm at the Civic Center.
The State of the Sustainable City Address will introduce ways our city can reduce its carbon footprint with the support and participation of its leadership, citizens and businesses. The State of the Sustainable City Address draws upon the key points of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, endorsed by the 73rd Annual US Conference of Mayors in 2005, and signed by Carbondale’s mayor Brad Cole. The Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement outlines the actions a municipality can take to reduce emissions. Using this Agreement as a starting place, we can create a vision and plan for Carbondale to become a model city of innovation, sustainability, stewardship and action.
Representatives from some of Southern Illinois’ leading environmental groups will discuss the work of their organizations, and the challenge and possibility created by climate change. The address event kicks off two weeks of activities in conjunction with thousands of cities around the world on the occasion of the International Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen.
The press and public are encouraged to attend.
The address starts at 4pm with a question and answer session to follow.
Carbondale Climate Action Network
State of the Sustainable City Address
Carbondale Civic Center, Room 118
Wednesday, December 9th , 4:00 PM
Saturday, August 29, 2009
SIUC Grant Award
SIUC has won a grant to train additional researchers in the field of watershed science. Looks like it should bring about $3 million in grant money to the university and attract around 20 top PhD candidates. Good job(s).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This is interesting. The Center for Neighborhood Technology is producing maps comparing overall greenhouse gases produced by a region to greenhouse gases emissions per household. Nothing for southern Illinois, since downstate doesn't exist when most organizaitons look at Illinois, but here's St. Louis.
Friday, August 28, 2009
SIUC a Failure
At least in the eyes of the Sierra Club, it is.
Edit: Ed points out that here is the link to the actual SC post listing the three worst schools, along with comments from people defending them
Edit: Ed points out that here is the link to the actual SC post listing the three worst schools, along with comments from people defending them
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Green Retreat
The rescheduled Green Retreat is this weekend:
Shawnee Energy Fest -June 27 & 28, 2009
GreenRetreat
(South of Murphysboro)
Over 30 workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy for your home, local foods and organic gardens will be the focus of this festival. We hope to save you money, reduce our use of fossil fuels and introduce you to local resources. Workshops will include low-tech geothermal, solar, wind turbines, living off -the-grid, permaculture, solar hot water, local foods, green investing, greeing your business and much, much more!
In addition to educational workshops and vendor showcases, the weekend will feature speakers, tours of the Green Retreat, music, food, a kid’s activity tent, wine tasting, massages and a whole lot more! Save some $$ by purchasing tickets online: $7 per day or $10 for the entire weekend on the website with a credit card or PayPal. $8/ day at the gate, 12 years and under are admitted FREE.
This is a family-friendly event. The Kids Tent will have educational and fun activities, including the Energy Bike, Emriver River Model, PBS KIDS Literacy Van, Earth Rhythms and MORE hands-on activities. Children 12 years old and under are FREE and will be well supervised at the Kids Tent.
Parking will be at the SIU arena, with a shuttle provided to the venue every 15 minutes. There will be wine tasting, local BBQ, and other great food, plus bands to entertain you. The Energy Fest hours will be Saturday, 10 AM-6PM and Sunday, 10AM- 5 PM. Rich Whitney will give a keynote address on Saturday at 11 AM. An Earth Appreciation service will take place on Sunday at 11 AM
For more information, to reserve space for a commercial information booth, to conduct a workshop or for general information, contact Aur at tech@aessolar.com or 618-893-1717. More information and online ticket sales available at
Monday, June 15, 2009
Burke Branch Winderness Designation
The Shawnee Chapter of the Sierra Club is looking for people to help conduct a survey of the Burke Branch area:
Wilderness Survey – Can you Help?
One of the main obstacles to moving forward with our longstanding Wilderness proposal for Burke Branch is the Forest Service insistence that the area doesn’t qualify for Wilderness designation because it contains too many roads and too many pines. We dispute the validity of these claims, but we need documentation to prove that Burke Branch not only qualifies as Wilderness, but deserves to be protected as such.
To that end the Illinois Chapter Shawnee Wilderness Campaign is organizing a one-day photo documentation survey of this huge, 6000+ acre area, which is located in far southeastern Illinois. To cover this ground and accomplish the task in one day we need a cadre of strong hikers with digital cameras.
The survey will take place on Monday, June 29 beginning at 8 a.m. Specific logistics will be determined after we know how many people we have participating. To sign up for this unique opportunity to help out the Wilderness Campaign please contact Barb McKasson at 618-529-4824 as soon as possible. (You may also contact Terri Treacy at terri.treacy@sierraclub.org, but she will not be able to respond until June 23). For those of you traveling a distance also let Barb know if you will need a place to camp or lodging recommendations.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Energy Festival Postponed
The Green Retreat announced today that the Shawnee Energy Festival (warning: automatic voice starts speaking when you land on the page) has been postponed due to the weather
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Carbondale Foundation for a Better Environment
Never can tell what you're going to run across when poking among old files. I found these records of meetings of the Carbondale Foundation for a Better Environment on SIUC's website. The organization started off as the Mayor's Beautification Committee in 1968 and gradually morphed into the CFBE about 1970, which influenced the creation of Turley Park, the Green Earth organzation and the designation of C'dale as a Tree City during the early 1980's before going defunct in 1985. The influence of the CFBE can still be seen in Keep Carbondale Beautiful, the Student Environmental Center and the beautification projects of Carbondale Main Street
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