Watertown, NY, Nov 26, 2012 — At a packed public meeting November 7 in Watertown, state environmental and health officials spoke with members of the public concerned about pollution on the city's north side with the New York Air Brake plant at the center of concern.

Now, DEC officials say they're working with the information they got at the meeting and figuring out what might come next.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Aug 16, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to ease a key environmental regulation so that smaller dairy farmers can keep more cows, more easily. The governor says he'll also seek ways to help farms get lower cost energy, and help farmers sell energy back to the electrical grid.

The news that the threshold requiring farms to follow strict Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) rules will be raised came at the "yogurt summit" convened by the governor Wednesday at the State Capitol.  Go to full article

Port Henry, NY, Jul 05, 2012 — Health officials in New York and Vermont say there have already been at least two outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae on Lake Champlain. The first was reported last week near the Crown Point bridge. The second, reported Tuesday, forced closure of the public beaches in Port Henry. There have also been reports of outbreaks near Burlington and Missisquoi Bay. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Westford, VT, Jul 02, 2012 — Lake Champlain's Missisquoi Bay is plagued by phosphorus pollution. When hot weather comes, the pollution feeds potentially dangerous blue-green algae blooms.

Phosphorus is a common fertilizer, and the excess causing the local problems comes primarily from agricultural runoff. An international study has helped pinpoint the sources around the big bay, which spans the Vermont-Quebec border in the northeast corner of the lake.

Sarah Harris reports on a new USDA program that uses the targeted information to help farmers in the surrounding watershed change their methods and reduce pollution.  Go to full article

Upper Jay, NY, May 09, 2012 — Nearly 40 people gathered at Paul Johnson's home in Upper Jay on Saturday to draw attention to the ways climate change has affected peoples' lives.

The event, called Connect the Dots, was part of Climate Impacts Day, which featured hundreds of similar gatherings worldwide. It was organized by local members of the international climate action organization 350.org, started by former Adirondack writer Bill McKibben. Chris Morris was there and has this report.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jul 12, 2011 — A political activist from western New York is suing the state over its involvement in a 10-state carbon-trading program.

Lisa Thrun heads up the grassroots campaign for the New York chapter of Americans for Prosperity. She's also the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Thrun's lawsuit alleges that cap-and-trade policies in New York are placing an undue burden on taxpayers. The suit also claims that lawmakers didn't get a chance to properly vet the state's commitment to the program.  Go to full article

Detroit, MI, Mar 10, 2011 — A new report calls on the U.S. and Canada to do more to protect human health and water quality in the Great Lakes. The International Joint Commission's biennial report says beach closures, contaminated groundwater, and invasive species continue to be significant problems in the region. Todd Moe reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Mar 09, 2011 — A judge has approved a deal between "Old GM" -- the bankruptcy offshoot of the auto giant -- and the Federal Government for the cleanup of contaminated sites across 14 states. As Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports, that includes two sites in Upstate New York.  Go to full article

Jan 05, 2011 — A prominent property-rights activist was arraigned yesterday in a Clinton County court for allegedly dumping hazardous materials on his property near Ausable Forks.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the felony charges against LeRoy Douglas could bring up to four years in prison and a fine of 150 thousand dollars.

Douglas - who has been an outspoken critic of state environmental policies - pleaded not guilty and was released without bail.

DEC officials say they began investigating the case in 2008 after they received complaints about the property near Silver Lake in Clinton County.

They say a state investigator found a wide range of contamination on Douglas's land, including a pile of lead acid batteries, dead animals and medical waste.

According to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Douglas's attorney has requested that a special prosecutor be named to handle the case.

Douglas has claimed in the past that investigations of his property are politically motivated.  Go to full article

Glens Falls, NY, Dec 20, 2010 — A new report issued on Friday by the Environmental Protection Agency says the Finch, Pruyn paper mill in Glens Falls generates the most pollution of any manufacturing plant in New York state.

Other top polluters in the North Country include Alcoa, Fort Drum, and International Paper. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article