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Update on Oil Spill Prevention
Feds Drop Challenge to State's Financial Assurance Provision; Court Hears Arguments on Escort Tugs and Enhanced Manning
The Commonwealth's requirement that every barge transiting Buzzards Bay and carrying 6,000 barrels of oil or more provide evidence of financial assurance to the State in the amount of $1 billion prevails in litigation.
This provision insures that in the event that an oil spill occurs, that money (which can be in the form of insurance or bond), is available to the State for response and clean up. The State also has the authority to reduce that amount based upon a vessel's safe history, and practices.
"This is a sound victory for Buzzards Bay," said Korrin N. Petersen, Esq., Advocacy Director for The Coalition for Buzzards Bay. "It is unfortunate that the United States continues to challenge other common sense oil spill prevention measures like tug escorts for double hull barges and increased manning..." Read more here
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 Turn the Tide Newsletter: Bacteria Studies Completed in Dartmouth and New Bedford
The Turn the Tide partners, a partnership between the The Coalition for Buzzards Bay, town of Dartmouth, The Lloyd Center for the Environment, and the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology, have completed an assessment of bacteria pollution in the Slocums and Little Rivers and Apponagansett Bay.
The reports identified the various locations and sources of bacteria to these water resources in both the town of Dartmouth and City of New Bedford. A newsletter, in English and Portuguese, summarizing the findings of the report, will be distributed to more than 12,000 households within these two watersheds in the next couple of weeks.
Preview the newsletter here
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 Valuable Waterfront and Wildlife Habitat Protected in Mattapoisett
107 acres of salt marsh and coastal forest, known as West Hill, along Brandt Island Cove, has been permanently protected by the Mattapoisett Land Trust with critical help from the Coalition.
West Hill contains sensitive habitat which supports threatened and endangered species such as diamondback terrapins as well as shorebirds like American bitterns and roseate and least terns.
This, the largest single parcel ever protected the Trust, along with the previously-protected Field Farm, will protect the upper portion of Brandt Island Cove. "The Coalition was very pleased to collaborate with the Mattapoisett Land Trust on the acquisition of the West Hill tract and to support the Mattapoisett Land Trust's continued work to preserve critically important habitat in the Town for the benefit of wildlife and Buzzards Bay itself," said Allen Decker, Coalition Land Protection Director.
The Trust is planning to create walking trails in order to provide public access to the property for passive recreation including what we expect to be fantastic bird watching... Read more here
Photo: West Hill Eastern Shoreline, The Coalition for Buzzards Bay
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7 Environmental Organizations + 3 Workshops
+ 1 Location = Shrink Your Footprint
The Coalition, in collaboration with the Buttonwood Park Zoo, Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Lloyd Center for the Environment, Massachusetts Audubon Society, SEEAL, and Westport River Watershed Alliance, will host three workshops exploring how we all might save the planet (and Buzzards Bay) by shrinking our carbon footprints. All workshops will be held on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to Noon at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford. All workshops are free and open to the public.
Growing Green (February 16) will focus on reducing water use, energy use, and carbon and nutrient input in our everyday actions. Marci Cole-Ekberg, coastal geologist for Save the Bay, will give a presentation on xeriscaping or landscaping with reduced or no watering. Carol Steinfeld, local author, will talk about fertilizer use. Hank VanLaarhoven, Director of New Bedford Waste Management, will discuss composting... Read more here
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 Fish Buzzards Bay
The
Coalition for Buzzards Bay invites you to an afternoon of lectures on
fishing, Saturday, March 8. Fish Buzzards Bay will provide recreational fishing
enthusiast a great chance to hear from local experts on one of the best
ways to enjoy our Bay... Read more here
Illustration by Bill Shattuck
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Call for Monitoring Volunteers
Become a monitoring volunteer and you will make a difference in the future of Buzzards Bay. Join other people in the community who are volunteering in the Coalition's fun and exciting monitoring programs. We are always looking for people who have interest and time to become trained citizen volunteers for monitoring the condition of local water quality, streams, and fish populations.
The Coalition will use the data you collect to assess the overall condition of our streams, harbors, and fisheries and help determine Bay and watershed management initiatives to protect these habitats and estuaries for Buzzards Bay. You will get to experience the environments of Buzzards Bay as you use scientific monitoring skills and do actual field work to collect this important data... Read more here
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 Warehouse for Sale or Lease at Acushnet Sawmill
In need of a big metal building? The Coalition has a l2,000 sq. ft. metal warehouse (60' x 200') for sale. Relocation of the building, which is located on our Acushnet Sawmill property, would be required as part of the sale. A lease option is also available and comes with some additional outside space.
Located in Acushnet on the New Bedford border, near I-195, the warehouse includes an inside office, two overhead doors, 20' ceilings and an insulated unfinished interior heated with gas forced hot air. The site is secured with a lock fence and alarm. To view the building or discuss an offer please contact Heidi at the Coalition at 508-999-6363 x213.
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Join the Coalition's Advocacy Team
The Coalition is seeking a highly-motivated, talented, and articulate Advocacy Specialist to provide policy and legal support to help save Buzzards Bay. If you have the right skills, the right experience, and especially the right commitment, check out the job description and contact Korrin Petersen.
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Items of Interest to CBB Members
Learn About the Phase II Stormwater Permit
The Westport River Watershed Alliance is hosting a Stormwater Phase II workshop with David Gray from US EPA on Wednesday January 30 at 7:00 PM. The workshop will be held in the Westport Town Hall Annex, 856 Main Rd. Mr. Gray will discuss the Phase II permit program and answer questions that town boards and municipalities may have in implementing the permit. The workshop is open to the public.
For additional information and to RSVP, call the Westport River Watershed Alliance at 508-636-3016 or email director@wrwa.com.
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CBB in the News
Much of the Coalition's work puts us at the
forefront of the region's top environmental issues.
Here are a few recent stories that mention our efforts. |
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