Connecticut Ranks 17th in Beach Closings/Advisories in 2012

As the summer beach season moves into full swing, Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, is calling attention to the number of days that Connecticut beaches had to be closed, or were under public advisories during 2012 due to environmental or related factors. The Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) annual “Testing the Waters” report, issued last week, found that Connecticut beaches were closed or under advisories for 198 days in 2012. That is down from 538 in 2011 but still more than twice the number of closings/advisories in 2010, 2009, or 2008.

The report analyzes beach closure and advisory statistics from beaches around the U.S.; Connecticut ranked 17th out of the 30 states listed.

According to the NRDC report, 22 percent of Connecticut’s closing/advisory days last year were due to monitoring that revealed elevated bacteria levels and 29 percent were preemptive due to heavy rainfall, which can overwhelm outdated stormwater systems and wash untreated sewage into rivers and the Sound. The remaining days were preemptive due to wildlife.

The beaches with the worst records for exceeding the state's daily maximum bacterial standard were Pear Tree Point Beach in Fairfield County and Seabluff Beach in New Haven County, which tested above the maximum 28 percent of the time; Oak Street B Beach in New Haven County at 20 percent; and Fairfield County’s Calf Pasture Beach, Weed Beach, and Rowayton Beach, all at 19 percent.

“When it comes to clean water, being ‘middle-of-the-pack’ is not good enough,” said Leah Schmalz, director of legislative and legal affairs for Save the Sound. “One out of every ten American citizens lives within an hour’s drive of Long Island Sound, and they deserve clean, safe beaches—even one closing because of bacteria and pollution is too many.”

“Just an inch of rain in 24 hours causes many local health departments around the Sound to shut down beaches. Drought conditions may provide the perfect beach weather—no rain means no contamination from stormwater runoff—but we can’t rely on Mother Nature to do our pollution control for us. If we want to enjoy our coastline, eat local seafood, and promote tourism along the shore, rain or shine, we have to be proactive. That means stopping pollution at the source by upgrading our sewage treatment plants, separating the combined sewer overflows that dump almost two billion gallons of untreated sewage into our waterways each year, and investing in innovative stormwater runoff solutions like drain filters and green infrastructure.”

By comparison, the same NRDC report found that Westchester County in New York lost 112 beach days in 2012, and that New York State ranked 22nd out of 30 states, up from 24th in 2011.

Two Westchester County beaches had the first- and third-worst records in the state for the number of water samples that exceeded the state bacterial standard. Bacterial levels at Shore Acres Club in Mamaroneck tested above the standard fully 50 percent of the time, and Surf Club in New Rochelle exceeded 35 percent of the time. Overall, Westchester County beach samples exceeded the standard 14 percent of the time, making Westchester the fourth-worst tested county in New York. Bronx County, which also affects water quality in the western Sound, came in at number three.

Save the Sound issues weekly Sound Swim Alerts for Connecticut and Westchester County to inform residents when beaches are open for swimming and when they are closed. The alerts can be found on Save the Sound’s blog.

Additional info on water pollution, contamination and depletion.

West Hartford First School District to Commit to State’s Green LEAF Program

West Hartford schools are turning over a new leaf, and going green.  The school district has become the first in the state to have every school principal agree to abide by the guidelines of the Connecticut Green LEAF program, which promotes increased environmental and sustainability education and health and wellness efforts.  LEAF stands for “Leading, Educating, Achieving and Fostering green healthy schools for all.”

According to the initiative’s website, green schools create healthy, productive learning environments for students and teachers. The site points out that studies show that green schools raise student achievement and save money, while improving the health of students and staff.  In addition, it states that environmental education provides a focus for learning in all content areas and builds critical thinking skills, and students are more engaged and become empowered to make a difference in their school and community and contribute to a vibrant economy and more sustainable communities.

Connecticut Green LEAF Schools is a collaborative effort of the CT Department of Education, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, CT Department of Public Health, CT Department of Construction Services, as well as many environmental and educational organizations.

The state can nominate up to four Connecticut Green LEAF Schools annually for the national Green Ribbon Schools award.  In April, the U.S. Department of Education honored three Connecticut schools as recipients of the 2013 Green Ribbon Schools designation:  Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School in New Haven, Common Ground High School in New Haven, and Environmental Sciences Magnet at Mary Hooker School, in Hartford.

The Green Ribbon Schools program is a U.S. Department of Education recognition program for K-12 schools that have made significant progress in reducing their environmental impact, improving student and staff health, and providing effective environmental education. This recognition is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

A brochure highlighting the Connecticut Green LEAF Schools program has been developed.  According to the website, Connecticut Green Schools include:

•        Common Ground High School (New Haven)

•        Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School (New Haven)

•        Environmental Sciences Magnet School at Mary Hooker (Hartford)

•        Staples High School (Westport)

•        The Foote School (New Haven)

•        Two Rivers Magnet Middle School (East Hartford)

•        Westover School (Midddlebury)

When the 16 West Hartford school principals signed letters of commitment this month, it marked the first time that an entire district in the state signed on to participation in the program.  Connecticut schools can participate at any time, according to the process:

• A school is interested in joining the CT Green LEAF Program and the principal signs on to Level 1 Principal's Commitment or Level 2 Principal's Committment
• The school notifies CT Green LEAF of their commitment and initiates their green team.
• Within a month, the school green team completes and submits the Self-Assessment Tool.   Schools scoring above a 60 may be eligible for nomination to the Green Ribbon Award.   Resources and supports are provided to help schools improve in all areas, including webinars, discussion boards, mentors, and professional development opportunities. Participating agencies are sharing their expertise to help schools.

CT Green Schools also includes a program for college campuses.

Riding to Work, Protecting Vulnerable on the Way

 The goal is 2,500 people.  With the start of CTrides week set to begin on May 13, there are about 250 people registered on the organization’s website of free services and information, thus far.  Officials are hoping for a boost of support in the coming days, and remain optimistic, perhaps encouraged by the arrival (finally) of springtime weather and the increase in cyclists it inevitably brings.  And they acknowledge that many may choose to observe the spirit of the day, without formally registering their participation.

Commuters are asked to carpool, vanpool, take buses or trains, walk, bike or telecommute instead of driving alone to work.  CTrides is not alone in advocating alternate transportation – and the benefits of leaving the car in the driveway, or sharing the ride into work.

BikeWalk Connecticut is urging people to step outside their vehicles - May 8 is National Bike to School Day and May 17 is National Bike to Work Day.   There are community-based events taking place on May 17 in at least two dozen locations around the state, from Bloomfield and Bethel to Waterbury and West Hartford.  Most are open to the public, and some are held on-site for corporate employees, such as  CIGNA, GE, Aetna and United Technologies.

CTrides notes that Americans spend an average of 47 hours per year sitting in rush-hour traffic, and public transit is viewed as 170 times safer than automobile travel.  An averge family’s second largest expense, after housing, goes to buying, maintaining and operating a car.  For those acutely aware of environmental impacts, it has been estimated that a single person switching to public transportation reduces carbon emissions by 4,800 pounds per year.  On May 9, CTrides goes to college – Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, specifically.  The midday Community Outreach event will focus on the benefits of sharing a ride.

Protecting Vulnerable Users

Beyond the personal riding advocacy, BikeWalk Connecticut also works for legal changes to make cycling safer.  This year, among their legislative priorities is the so-called “vulnerable user” bill (SB191).  It would establish a penalty for a motorist who, failing to exercise reasonable care on a public way, seriously injures or causes the death of a “vulnerable user,” provided the vulnerable user exercised reasonable care in using the public way. A driver who causes such injury or death would face a fine of up to $ 1,000. Reasonable care is the degree of care that a prudent and competent person engaged in the same endeavor would exercise under similar circumstances.

The bill applies to any public way, including a public highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway, or place, under the control of the state or any of its political subdivisions, dedicated, appropriated, or opened to public travel or other use.  Under the bill, vulnerable users include: 1. pedestrians; 2. highway workers; 3. bicyclists; 4. anyone riding or driving an animal (e. g. , driving a horse-drawn vehicle); 5. skaters, skateboarders, and roller bladers; 6. people driving or riding on a farm tractor; 7. people in wheelchairs or motorized chairs; and 8. blind people and their service animals.  The states of Washington, Delaware and Oregon have similar laws.  Efforts are underway to have Connecticut follow suit.

Council on Environmental Quality Report Shows Status Quo for Environment in 2012

With spring weather in full bloom and the out-of-doors looking increasingly attractive, it is worth pausing for a brief review of the recently completed analysis of the state of the environment in Connecticut, circa 2012.   The Council on Environmental Quality does just that in its 40th edition of Environmental Quality in Connecticut.

Among the statistical highlights, which describe some slight improvements and some slight fallback during the year, are these 15 noteworthy items:

1. Shoreline beaches were closed for fewer days in 2012 than in 2011, but 2011 was the worst year on record; the number of closings in 2012 was well above the long-term average.
2. Drinking water improved, with 99.8 percent of all water piped to customers (2.8 million people) meeting health standards. That percentage was 99.7 in the previous year.
3. Connecticut had 338 good air days, four fewer than in 2011. Two "personal impact" indicators -- miles driven and bus trips taken -- showed improvement but have yet to yield discernible air quality benefits.
4. DEEP preserved 341 acres of land and state grants helped municipalities and land trusts acquire an additional 740 acres
5. The state preserved 689 acres of agricultural land, down from the 1,975 acres preserved in 2011
6. The portion of the Sound that was safe for marine life all summer declined; more widespread hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) in Long Island Sound
7. Approximately 80 miles of rivers received overflows of sewage during storms
8. Bald eagles remained in Connecticut, even in our larger cities, with no decline from last year
9. 99.8 percent of all water piped to customers met health standards, up .1 percent from 2011
10. The average resident took the bus at a frequency not seen since 2001, approximately 11.41 trips per person
11. Progress toward the statewide goal of recycling was stagnant with only 24 percent of solid waste recycled
12. 27,141 households purchased clean energy, up marginally from 2011
13. The average resident took the bus at a frequency not seen since 2001, approximately 11.41 trips per person
14. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations at inspected facilities declined slightly
15. Land conservation results failed to put Connecticut back on track toward its goals.

The Council’s report also calls attention to changes in Long Island Sound: sea level is rising at a faster rate, the water is warming, and southern species of fish are moving in as colder-water species move out. The Council says that the state needs to pay attention to the gradual changes, as gradual changes can become sudden changes.

The report also notes that many of the persistent problems in Connecticut’s environment, including summertime air pollution and low oxygen levels in the Sound, are made worse by a warming climate.

Maritime Industry Brings $7 Billion Impact, 40,000 Jobs to Connecticut

The value of Connecticut’s maritime economy is nearly $7 billion, according to a new report researched and developed by the University of Connecticut at Avery Point.  The industry contributes nearly 40,000 jobs to the state, according to “Valuing the Coast: Economic Impacts of Connecticut’s Maritime Industry issued in conjunction with Sea Grant, a national network comprised of 32 Sea Grant programs based at flagship universities in coastal and Great Lake states and Puerto Rico.

Seven sectors classified by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) as directly related to the state’s maritime industry were studied for the report: commercial fishing; seafood product preparation and packaging; ship building and repairing; boat building; transport by water; scenic and sightseeing transportation and support activities for transportation; and amusement and recreational activities.

Lead author was Robert S. Pomeroy, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics in UConn's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a Sea Grant college fisheries extension specialist.  Pomeroy says the goal of the study was to document the significance of the maritime industry to Connecticut’s economy.

Pomeroy noted that the total impact of the state’s maritime economy is thought to be even higher because this study only looked at seven sectors of the economy. One important area not included is Connecticut’s growing aquaculture industry, which involves farming fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. The DOC classifies aquaculture as being part of the state’s agricultural industry, so those numbers are not reflected in the findings.

Notably, the research showed that New London County alone accounts for a little less than 50 percent of the total state output impacts. The region consists of 36 towns, including several of the largest cities of the state.  Recreational activities are the most important sector for Middlesex County, one of four coastal counties most involved in the maritime industry.

The total economic output impact, measuring the value of the goods or services produced in each of the sectors studied, resulted in a finding of $6.83 billion at the state level, and $5.88 billion for the four coastal counties most involved in the maritime industry. These include the counties of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London.

Pomeroy and his colleagues used an economic model developed by Nobel Prize-winning economist Wassily Leontif that makes it possible to quantify the interdependencies between different branches of the economy. Leontif’s model shows how the output of one industry serves as an input to each of the other industries in the study. The data used was from 2010.

For Connecticut, ship building for commercial and military purposes is the sector contributing the most to the economy among the seven sectors measured. However, for counties other than New London, the most important sector is transport by water for Fairfield; scenic and sightseeing transport and support activities for transportation in New Haven; and other amusement and recreation industries for Middlesex.

The study also showed that Connecticut’s maritime industry is an important contributor to employment, with nearly 40,000 people being employed in the industry, of which 32,000 come from the four southernmost counties in the state. Among the seven sectors studied, ship building, which employs approximately 17,600 people, contributes the most jobs to the state’s economy.

The Sea Grant program is focused on making the United States the world leader in marine research and the sustainable development of marine resources.  Joining Pomeroy in authoring the report were Umi Muawanah, a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow, and Nataliya Plesha, a Ph.D. candidate in UConn’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

For purposes of comparison, a previous study commissioned by the Connecticut Maritime Coalition using 2007 data, reported that Connecticut’s maritime dependent industries were estimated to account for over $5 billion in business output, generating approximately 30,000 jobs. While the two studies used different methodologies, the results are comparable and show the critical economic importance of an evolving maritime industry to the state’s coffers and to providing a stabilizing economic force for Connecticut citizens in otherwise uncertain times.

New London Features “One of America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares”

Town squares across the U.S. were built to inspire goodwill and be the hearts of their communities, often with stately landmarks and surrounding colorful shops and cafés. Travel + Leisure magazine went in search of the squares keeping that spirit alive, emphasizing smaller towns, with populations of 50,000 or less.  Among the top ten nationwide was Parade Plaza in New London.

Travel + Leisure reported that “Parade Plaza reopened in 2011 with a 100-seat amphitheater and the Whale Tail Fountain, where kids like to splash around. The improvements complement longtime attractions at the square like the schoolhouse where Nathan Hale once taught. “

Other top selections included the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, AZ, which has been honored by the American Planning Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  At the nation’s top squares, the article pointed out, farmers’ markets, free concerts, and holiday celebrations keep locals and visitors entertained year-round.

The Travel + Leisure website recommended that people “Set your sights on a road trip or weekend getaway to one of these small towns, and make the square your first stop.” 

The description of Parade Plaza was enthusiastic: “Reopened in 2011, this triangular plaza is new and improved, with an open amphitheater that seats 100 and the 10-foot-tall Whale Tail Fountain, popular with kids who play in the water falling from the tail. The schoolhouse where Nathan Hale once taught and the 50-foot-high granite-obelisk Soldiers and Sailors Monument are two traditional attractions. In winter, the upper section is turned into an ice-skating rink.”

More information about Parade Plaza, and New London’s downtown revitalization efforts, is available at newlondonmainstreet.org.  The other New England squares included on the list are in Portsmouth, NH and Bar Harbor, ME.  

Joining New London on the list of top town squares selected by Travel + Leisure (in no particular order):

• The Dover Green, Dover, DE
• Court Square, Bardstown, KY
• Market Square, Portsmouth, NH
• Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg, CA
• Historic Canton Square, Canton, MS
• Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, Prescott, AZ
• Centerway Square, Corning, NY
• Jackson Town Square, Jackson, WY
• City Square Park, Oskaloosa, IA
• Decatur Square, Decatur, GA
• Village Green, Bar Harbor, ME
• The Square, San Marcos, TX

CT Ranked #5 in Green Job Creation in 2012

Connecticut ranked #5 in the U.S. for green job creation during 2012, according to a national business association compiling of media reports. Environmental Entrepreneurs, a New York City-based organization, ranked all 50 states for green job creation based on projects completed, in progress, or announced in 2012 and the estimated number of jobs created by those projects.  Nationwide, companies and communities announced more than 300 clean energy and clean transportation projects in 2012 that are expected to create 110,000 jobs, the report said.

Connecticut had four projects in 2012 expected to generate 4,958 jobs, the Hartford Business Journal noted in its reporting.  Those projects were the construction of the $97 million headquarters of North Haven construction parts manufacturer Sustainable Building Solutions; the opening of Scottish power company Renewable Resources in Stamford; the construction of the New Britain-to-Hartford busway; and the Plainfield Renewable Energy biomass plant.  The report indicated that Connecticut had 50 projects in progress.

Connecticut was the only New England state in the top 10. Leading the states was California with 25,354 jobs followed by Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Connecticut, Arizona, New York, Michigan, Texas, and Oregon.

As a region, the Southeast led the country in manufacturing-related clean energy job announcements, with more than 13,700 jobs announced last year, accounting for about 80 percent of the nation’s total. Solar, advanced vehicles and wind energy were the leading clean energy manufacturing industries in the Southeast.  Nationwide, clean transportation projects led the job growth last year, followed by clean power generation, manufacturing and energy efficiency projects.

The report was issued by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), described as “a national community of individual business leaders who advocate for good environmental policy while building economic prosperity.”

Sustainability, Green Infrastructure Advance in CT

When considering Connecticut’s progress in sustainability, green infrastructure, and green investments, a variety of statistics help to tell the story.  Among them:

• The U.S. Department of Energy considers 13 percent of Connecticut’s electricity as coming from renewable resources, ranking the state 31^st in the nation.  The majority of the renewable power comes from biomass and hydropower, as reported in the Connecticut Green Guide (www.CTGReenGuide.com).

• Connecticut’s transportation sector employees more green workers than any other industry in the state, with 8,238 green jobs.

• In the Northeast, 76 percent of companies use at least one type of green technology or practice.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most popular green methods are:

1. Energy efficiency
2. Waste reduction
3. Conserving natural resources
4. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
5. Removing pollutants from workspace
6. Generating onsite renewable energy

• Connecticut Innovations, the state’s quasi-public investment firm, currently puts 6 percent of its portfolio into clean technology start-ups.  Here’s the portfolio breakdown:

1. Information technology               49.5%
2. Bioscience                                           42%
3. Clean tech                                           6%
4. Photonics                                            2%
5. Advanced materials & other       .5%

• The U.S. Energy Information Agency reports that Connecticut ranks fifth in the nation among the states consuming the least amount of energy per capita.  The top ten:

1. Rhode Island
2. New York
3. Hawaii
4. California
5. Connecticut
6. Massachusetts
7. Arizona
8. New Hampshire
9. Florida
10. Vermont

• Connecticut leads the New England states in demand response resources – businesses and facilities that power down when electric prices and demand spikes, according to data from ISO New England.

State                                     Megawatts of Demand Response

Connecticut                        996.6

Massachusetts                  800.5

Maine                                   447

New Hampshire              183.2

Vermont                              144

Rhode Island                      140

Among the most common practices used by employers are asking employees to conserve, turn off or dimming lights, adjusting indoor temperature, and turning off equipment such as printers, copiers, and PCs).  Other steps, used less often, include shutting down production, starting emergency generation, limiting the use of elevators and escalators, and shutting down an entire plant.

Three Cities Selected for Program to Bring Housing Downtown

Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) has selected Middletown, Torrington and Waterbury for its new pilot program, Come Home to Downtown. CMSC developed the mixed-use real estate planning pilot program to provide selected communities with new tools to strengthen economic health and restore vitality to their downtowns, facilitating the development of viable, interesting housing opportunities while improving downtown neighborhoods. The goal of the Come Home to Downtown program is to set the stage to attract developers and “mom and pop” building owners to redevelop vacant or underutilized buildings with a mix of uses and housing choices. CMSC will also provide local public and private champions and partners with strategic tools to allow them to create or enhance a strong downtown management program.  The Come Home to Downtown pilot was created in partnership with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), through a $250,000 investment using Community Investment Act (CIA) Program funding.

“Our Come Home to Downtown pilot communities were selected based on criteria we feel is vital for success, including local public and private sector leadership, a strong record of community engagement, success of previous downtown revitalization initiatives and multi-story buildings and property owners who are motivated to redevelop them,” said CMSC’s John Simone.

CMSC will work in concert with Middletown, Torrington and Waterbury, beginning with the collection of data, building analysis and the coordination of community engagement activities, exploring their downtown redevelopment issues in-depth and creating new strategies that respond to changing demographics and market dynamics.  Work will continue throughout the summer on consensus building, a downtown development audit for each of the towns, model building analysis, assistance to small-property owners who demonstrate a desire to redevelop their properties to include housing, and downtown management organizational development.

Connecticut Main Street Center is a statewide nonprofit that inspires great Connecticut downtowns, Main Street by Main Street. Its mission is to be the champion and leading resource for vibrant and sustainable Main Streets as foundations for healthy communities.

New Website Promotes Action to Reduce Harm from Stormwater Runoff

There is a new green infrastructure website in Connecticut, www.ReduceRunoff.org, specifically designed to assist Connecticut homeowners in reducing the harmful effects of stormwater runoff.   It’s a collaborative initiative of Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, and the University of Connecticut Center for Land Use Education and Research's (CLEAR) Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program . When it rains, or when snow melts, impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground, creating stormwater runoff. Manmade gray infrastructure like curbs, gutters, and storm drains quickly carry stormwater runoff directly to local streams, rivers, and Long Island Sound—without any natural filtering process.

That runoff can overwhelm the sewer systems of older, combined sewer overflow communities like Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford—resulting in releases of raw sewage.  In other communities, it floods streets and carries fertilizers and pesticides into rivers and the Sound.  This pollution forces summer beach closings, and make it hard for shell fishermen to earn a living. According to state data, many rivers and shoreline waters fail to meet key water quality standards because of stormwater.

What’s a concerned citizen to do?  Turns out, there are a growing number of common sense solutions that can have an impact.  Innovative green infrastructure concepts like rain gardens, rain barrels, downspout disconnections, permeable pavers, and green roofs, can help naturally manage stormwater, limit raw sewage discharges, reduce flooding risk and improve water quality.

The new website includes a cost calculator to estimate the cost of developing a rain garden, and site features information on three Connecticut locatities using green infrastructure to benefit the community:

• In the Quinnipiac River Watershed, small rain gardens and large bioswales will be used to boost drinking water supplies.  And
• In New Haven and Bridgeport,green infrastructure will help reduce flooding, reduce non-point source pollution, and limit combined sewer overflows.

There is also information about efforts in major cities including Portland, Kansas City, Philadelphia and New York which are working to promote the use of green infrastructure.  ReduceRunoff.org shares the experiences of those cities and provides guidance to Connecticut residents seeking to green their neighborhoods and contribute to reducing pollution statewide.

ReduceRunoff.org was funded by the Fairfield County Community Foundation, the Greater New Haven Green Fund, and the Quinnipiac River Groundwater Natural Resources Damages Fund administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).