The Coalition and the Attorney General’s Office have appealed a U.S. District court decision that strikes down large portions of the state's Oil Spill Prevention Act, eliminating important safeguards and rendering Massachusetts waters vulnerable to future oil spills.

The District Court ruling, issued on July 24, removed essential protections regulating oil shipping in Buzzards Bay that included mandatory tug escorts and navigational routes, as well as minimum staffing on oil tankers and barges. The ruling also deemed major provisions of the Act unconstitutional because they covered areas of maritime law regulated by the Coast Guard... Read more [here]

Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce.

Former Environmental Affairs Secretary Stephen R. Pritchard issued a certificate last month on the environmental notification form (ENF) submitted in May by Buzzards Bay wind farm developer Jay Cashman. In it he and outlined a host of avian, navigational, and environmental studies to be performed to assess the project’s impact to Buzzards Bay and concluded that “the proponent proceeds at risk of denial of required permits on completion" of the state's environmental review of the project.

“The certificate points out several major issues that must be explored in a great deal of depth,” explained Coalition Advocacy Director Korrin N. Petersen, Esq. “The Secretary clearly states that this project, as proposed, is not permitable under the Ocean Sanctuaries Act. In addition, the proposed location of the wind farm—at sites off Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven, Barneys Joy in Dartmouth, and Naushon Island—is square within the breeding, nesting, and foraging habitat of the roseate tern, a state and federally protected endangered species...” Read more [here]

John D. Ross of Falmouth was elected President of the Coalition’s Board of Directors at the July 2006 Board meeting.

Ross lives on West Falmouth Harbor where he has summered all his life. After twenty years in investment banking, he changed careers to become a management consultant to non-profit organizations. He succeeds John K. Bullard of New Bedford who served as Board President from 2002-2006.

Ross’s interest in the restoration and protection of Buzzards Bay stems from his own local advocacy on West Falmouth Harbor... Read more [here]

Local farms are stewards of large areas of open space throughout the Bay watershed. Fall may be here, but there are still plenty of ways to "Buy Local" and support these local farm businesses. In this issue of The Bay Buzz, Sarah Kelley, Executive Director of Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), shares some picks for a fall farm tour that winds you along the shores of the Bay.

The apple and cranberry harvests will be in progress this month, and although some farmstands have closed for the season, those in or near the Bay watershed that are listed here remain open for the fall and offer a wide variety of farm products and experiences.

Noquochoke Orchards
594 Drift Rd. Westport
Phone: (508) 636-2237; http://www.noqorchards.com

This 105 year-old, 85-acre orchard features more than two dozen varieties of apples and makes delicious apple cider. Well over half of the acreage is along Buzzards Bay, which provides ideal conditions for growing apples—a temperate climate and a late frost. Noquochoke Orchards grow a whopping 70 different varieties of apples, ranging from tart to sweet, and from good eating to excellent baking apples. The orchard also grows a wide variety of other fall produce including butternut and Hubbard squash, Macomber turnips, and pumpkins.

Continue the fall farm tour [here] ...

Photo: Noquochoke apples, R. Connole

Find many more local farms by going to SEMAP's online Harvest Handbook. Visit the SEMAP website and click on the Harvest Handbook link. And stay tuned for an updated searchable Handbook coming next spring!

The Coalition’s Cape Cod Committee and staff hosted a “Meet the Coalition” event on the grounds of Parker’s Boat Yard on Red Brook Harbor in Cataumet, on August 4. More than 70 current and prospective members joined us for this inaugural event.

Coalition member and second-generation Boat Yard owner Bruce Parker remarked upon how easy it is for him to support the Coalition given his love of the Bay and his line of work and Coalition Executive Director, Mark Rasmussen, briefed the gathering on the recent victories, the disappointments, and the challenges the Bay faces. The ensuing “Q & A” confirmed that our members are well-informed, articulate, and eager to get involved in protecting and restoring this irreplaceable Bay.

For more information about joining the Coalition or to explore hosting a “Meet the Coalition” event at your club or organization, contact the Coalition’s Development Director, John Vasconcellos, at 508-999-6363, ext. 202.

Super-soft organic t-shirts, colorful Nalgene water bottles, and functional eco-totebags are just a few of the *new* Coalition merchandise items for sale. Members receive a discount on most products.

Demonstrate your commitment to the health of Buzzards Bay. Click [here] and start your shopping spree today!

The Coalition is a proud partner of the "Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change" conference, an internationally-acclaimed gathering of environmental, industry and social justice innovators who have demonstrated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and its inhabitants.

Join us October 20-22, 2006 at UMASS Dartmouth when more than 2,000 students, teachers, green business innovators, scientists, grassroots leaders and everyday folks from across the East Coast will gather to embrace, share, brainstorm, network, heal, learn, teach, celebrate, recharge and connect for change.

Click [here] for more information and to register or download a PDF version of the “Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change” brochure.

Attention Educators: Our colorful "One Bay, Our Bay" posters are a fun way to introduce your students to Buzzards Bay facts and watershed geography. Teach your students about the major threats to the Bay while engaging them on simple ways we can all save the Bay, everyday.

Large quantities of the free poster are available for classrooms or to pass out to your neighborhood group or club. To place your order, e-mail Donna Cobert or call 508-999-6363 ext. 209.

"One Bay, Our Bay" illustrations by Daniel Vasconcellos.

Meet Donna Cobert (left), our new Development and Finance Associate (and Volunteer Coordinator), and Heather Zine, our new Administrative Assistant.

*CBB Staff Position Available* We are looking for a Land Protection Specialist. Click [here] for a full job description.

The final Adopt-A-Shoreline beach cleanup of the 2006 season is scheduled for October 14 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Marsh Island in Fairhaven. To sign up or for more information, e-mail Donna Cobert or call 508-999-6363, ext. 209.

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.

• Koczera joins opposition to Aerovox cleanup plan
• Falmouth man to head board of Buzzards Bay Coalition
• State appeals to save oil spill act
• Wind farm faces serious hurdles
• EPA plan for Aerovox criticized

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.

email: e-newsletter@savebuzzardsbay.org

phone: 508-999-6363

web: http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org