CCFE PROGRAMS

Environmental Education

Aquifer Works!
In 2009 CCFE continued its work to educate school children and the community on the importance of protecting Long Island’s drinking water. This program uses a three-dimensional interactive aquifer model, created specifically to illustrate Long Island’s unique hydrological system. CCFE uses this 3-d model in presentations and talks throughout classrooms on Long Island. The model illustrates the unique properties and vulnerabilities of Long Island’s groundwater system and how pollution moves through the ground. As part of this program, CCFE staff also educates teachers to increase their understanding of Long Island’s unique groundwater system. Teachers have incorporated lessons from the aquifer model into their curricula for English, Science, and Civic classes. In 2009, we gave presentations in April, May, June, July, and September reaching over 1000 students.

Bayshore MGP Taskforce
The Bayshore manufactured gas plant (MGP) produced gas mainly from coal. The gas was used for lighting, cooking, and heating homes and businesses. The production of manufactured gas from coal created a legacy of waste byproducts and this pollution persists today. MGP waste products include:

• Coal Tar: Also called naphthalene, is a dense, oily liquid that would condense out of the gas at various stages during production, purification and distribution.
• Volatile (BTEX) compounds: This suite of chemicals includes Benzene, toluene, Ethyl benzene, and Xylene. These chemicals are known as Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs).
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) compounds: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that some PAHs may reasonably be expected to be carcinogens. Exposure to PAHs can occur by breathing air contaminated by coal tar.

CCFE works closely with members of the Bayshore community to establish a public participation program, designed to inform the public and urge National Grid and government agencies to clean up this site expeditiously and comprehensively. CCFE filed a Freedom of Information Request in the fall of 2006 with NYS to access all the past reports and documents on the Bayshore MGP site. CCFE helped the Bay Shore community establish The Bay Shore MGP Taskforce in November of 2007, charged with achieving a comprehensive and expedited clean up. To provide for adequate public participation, the Bay Shore MGP Task Force has established quarterly meetings with the New York State DEC, Department of Health, National Grid and the Suffolk County Department of Health. Remediation progress was made in 2008, including clean up of groundwater and soil in Operational Unit four, O2 injection systems fully operational in Operational Unit 2 and finally, after much negotiations, remediation began in Operational Unit 3. CCE worked with the community for years to generate clean up activity at this site. Much remains to do but progress has begun. Meetings were Jan 5, April 22, April 29, September 30, December 17, 2009.

Davids Island
Davids Island is a 78-acre former Army base located less than 15 miles from Manhattan in Long Island Sound. CCFE has been working for more than a decade to ensure perpetual preservation of the Island. CCFE, along with local environmentalists have been urging Westchester County to purchase the island from its current owner, the City of New Rochelle, to create a park to protect the already overstressed western Long Island Sound ecosystem. There have been several past and current development proposals that would destroy the natural state of the Island, and increase harmful pollutants to the Sound.

CCFE has educated residents of Westchester County on importance of the Island and the importance of preserving the Island. On September 16, CCFE attended a public hearing hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and submitted comments to ensure that the Island continues to be cleaned to a level where county residents can one day be able to enjoy the Island as a healthy public park.

Campaign for New York’s Farming Future
CCFE chairs a coalition of eleven statewide organizations working to ensure that New Yorkers continue their proud family farming heritage while ensuring clean water protection. In 2009, the Campaign worked with key regulators on the development, review, and adoption of a revised Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permit, under the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The Campaign’s educational materials include: CAFO 101 (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations); What is a CNMP? (Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan); and a tri-fold brochure with an overview of CCFE’s Farming campaign.

Recycling
Recycling rates on Long Island hit a peak in 1997 and since have been steadily declining. Since 2002 recycling rates have dropped 27% and the amount of trash per person has risen 3%. In 2008 CCFE released the first Long Island Recycling Report Card. The report card evaluated the recycling program throughout the towns and cities on Long Island. The report card contained detailed analysis of the 14 municipalities programs, as well as specific recommendations to improve their programs.

In September of 2009 CCFE released the 2nd Long Island Recycling Report Card. CCFE documented the significant changes and advancements in town’s programs within one year. The 2009 Recycling Report Card included:

• Detailed evaluation of the town’s public education program
• Evaluation of towns e-waste program, since e-waste is the largest growing component of our waste stream
• The Town’s programs to work with schools, businesses, apartments, and condos to recycle
• New in 2009, it included a new Gold Star School Section, where 3 schools were identified that had exceptional recycling programs
• New in 2009, the report card included a section of recommendations for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

CCFE also gave 3 (September 30, October 2, October 20) recycling presentations, based on the 2009 report card.

Brookhaven SMART Taskforce
CCFE was asked to participate in the Town of Brookhaven’s SMART (Save Money Reduce Trash) taskforce. The taskforce explored the idea of Brookhaven implementing a pay-as-you-throw or SMART program to increase recycling and reduce trash throughout the town. The taskforce looked at the pros and cons of a program and interviewed other towns that have implemented a program. In 2009 the taskforce met several times in February, March, and May.

Plastic Bags
CCFE works to reduce the amount of plastic bags entering the environment and being used by consumers. Plastic bags mar the landscape, kill and injure aquatic wildlife and increase exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment. As many governments across the country and around the world move to address plastic bags, CCFE has put together a plastic bag resource center to give interested citizens a clearinghouse for learning about various actions being taken to reduce plastic bag use. Additionally, CCFE has developed an educational brochure for distribution at public events about the impacts of plastic bags and alternatives. In 2009, CCFE gave 2 public educational presentations on marine debris and plastic pollution, one on April 8 in West Hempstead, NY & one on June 8 in Oakdale, NY. CCFE also worked to educate the Suffolk County Legislature on the dangers of plastic pollution. CCFE has continued to work in towns in Fairfield County, CT educating elected leaders, environmental, and civic groups about harmful plastic pollution.