AVON – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is prohibiting the use of Australian Common Reed (phragmites australis) in the wastewater treatment plant's reed beds. According to Bill Davis with MRB Group, consulting engineers for the Village, the DEC specifically bans any planting of seeds or roots of the extremely common, invasive reed. "There's an American phragmites and an Australian phragmites, and the … [Read more...]
Avon Proposes Temporary Ban on Industrial Solar Fields
AVON – The Town of Avon scheduled a public hearing for a moratorium and prohibition of large-scale solar fields. This may surprise some residents, since Avon Central School is home to the largest solar field on any school grounds in New York State. However, the moratorium, if passed, would not stop that solar field from operating. It would, however, prevent any similar fields from being built. "The moratorium only affects large-scale … [Read more...]
Groveland Prohibits Solar Farms for Zoning Code Updates
GROVELAND – The Town of Groveland passed a moratorium and prohibition on of solar farm development so that zoning laws can be updated to address such projects. Groveland Town Supervisor Bill Carman said that the ban only affects large-scale industrial-type projects. To date, no businesses have applied for such a project in Groveland. Residents can still operate private solar panels for their residences. "The Town hasn't received any … [Read more...]
Avon Could Extend Frack Moratorium in Case NYS Flips Ban
AVON – Though New York State passed a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' in December, the Avon Town Board is still carefully weighing the options when it comes to local fracking legislation. At Thursday's Town Board meeting, Town Attorney Jim Campbell recommended that the Board should plan ahead for any possible legislative changes on the state level by having local policies in place. "The landscape could stay the same … [Read more...]
Cuomo says Frack Ban is Here to Stay
NYLON – Governor Andrew Cuomo says New York's ban on hydrofracking, or 'fracking,' a controversial natural gas drilling practice, is here to stay despite calls for the ban to be lifted. According to news partner 13WHAM, a state environmental official says the state's review on the issue evaluated impacts to air, water, public health and other areas, and the federal Environmental Protective Agency studied drinking water. New York State … [Read more...]