From bobolnk at ix.netcom.com Mon Jun 1 14:56:58 2009 From: bobolnk at ix.netcom.com (bobolnk@ix.netcom.com) Date: Mon Jun 1 14:57:08 2009 Subject: [BCNnet] Birding Blitzes start this weekend Message-ID: <21035049.1243886218474.JavaMail.root@mswamui-blood.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Here's an announcement about the first site-based Birding Blitz of the summer, coming this Saturday - information about others is at http://www.habitatproject.org/webdocs/events/Blitzflier09.pdf. All are welcome - these events should be a lot of fun. Please join us for a Bird Blitz at: Paul Douglas Forest Preserve Saturday, June 6, 2009 7:00am - 12:30 pm Paul Douglas Forest Preserve in northwestern Cook County covers approximately 1800 acres (almost 3 square miles). It provides a variety of large habitat types. As a result, grassland, wetland, shrubland, and forest species are all found at this preserve. Some habitat sensitive species that breed within the preserve are Henslow's Sparrow (grasslands), Yellow-headed Blackbird (wetlands), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (shrublands), and Scarlet Tanager (forest). We'll meet in the parking lot off Central Road in Hoffman Estates at 7:00 am. Stan Stec has birded this area regularly for many years and is very familiar with the preserve. Unfortunately, recent knee surgery will keep him from participating. He has, however, mapped out 9 separate areas to be covered within the preserve. After signing in during a brief orientation, maps will be handed out, areas assigned, and then we'll all head out to cover our assigned area. This will be similar to a Christmas Bird Count or Spring Bird Count in that we'll be recording the number of each species seen or heard. We hope to have at least two people in each group. We'll meet back at the parking lot by noon to eat while we're recording each group's results. You'll need to bring the usual things you bring when going birding: binoculars, field guide, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and rain gear. Also, please bring a notebook and pencil to record results and a lunch and beverage. I'll have a few extra notebooks and pencils on hand. Ticks are common at Paul Douglas, so spraying pant legs with insect repellant is important. I'll also bring extra insect repellant and sunscreen. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and long pants. I may bring some peanut butter, bread, and pop in case anyone forgets to bring lunch. If you're short on time, you can leave as soon as your results are reported (or someone else in your group can report). If you can hang around though, I think hearing all the reports will be a highlight of the morning. I'll e-mail the results to all the participants within a few days of the Blitz. I would like to get an idea how many to expect, so if you think you will be participating, please respond. If you aren't sure, but want to be kept updated on any changes, please respond. Even if you don't respond, but find you have the morning free, you can also just show up on June 6. If you have any questions, respond to this e-mail or call me at 847-358-5856 (evenings between 7 and 9). Duane Heaton Palatine, IL From cmarshbird at prodigy.net Sat Jun 6 15:11:58 2009 From: cmarshbird at prodigy.net (Carolyn A. Marsh) Date: Sat Jun 6 15:12:05 2009 Subject: [BCNnet] birders divided on Olympics Message-ID: <88ACAA8D474B4DA1B18C06197DCD19BA@CLOVER> I have learned that the anti-Olympic leader on the Lincoln Park Advisory Council was purged from the board. Chicago is looking more like China. Some comments made by birders at the bottom of the articles. Carolyn Marsh ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________ Park panel stalls vote on Olympics site plan May 13, 2009 11:47 PM | 3 Comments | UPDATED STORY The Lincoln Park Advisory Council stalled a resolution opposing the proposed location of a $31 million Olympic tennis complex in Lincoln Park Wednesday evening after the local alderman said the door was open for a site change. The Chicago 2016 Olympic bid committee is willing to consider two alternative Lincoln Park sites, both of them north of the current site at the Waveland courts, Ald. Helen Shiller (46th) said at a fractious meeting of the advisory council. The two other locations, both existing parking lots, "would have minimal impact on traffic, other park activities, the surrounding communities and green space," said Shiller, who favors the Olympics but opposes use of the Waveland court site. She said she would push for a change if Chicago is selected as the host city on Oct. 2. But when contacted after the meeting, Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky defended the current plan. The Waveland location is the "natural home" of North Side tennis, he said, and it will leave 20 new tennis courts as a legacy to the community. [more] http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/park-panel-stalls-vote-on-olympic s-site-plan.html ___________________________________________________________ Chicago doesn't deserve 2016 Olympics Blatantly corrupt or simply stupid? City unworthy of 2016 Games Comments June 5, 2009 BY RICK TELANDER Sun-Times Columnist There are times when you get sent to your room without dessert. Without dinner, even. This is such a time. The City of Chicago, led by Mayor Daley and a vast and tumorous army of aldermen and bagmen and yesmen and opportunists and spineless, parasitic political-machine halfwits of forms never seen outside the roiling cesspool of governmental slop-trough greed, has proven itself unworthy of something as potentially delicious and fulfilling as the 2016 Olympic Games. There was an opportunity there. But the pitiful stuff just keeps on comin', warnings be damned. [more] http://www.suntimes.com/sports/telander/1608451,CST-SPT-rick05.article# -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20090606/45f11993/attachment.html From cmarshbird at prodigy.net Sun Jun 14 15:19:21 2009 From: cmarshbird at prodigy.net (Carolyn A. Marsh) Date: Sun Jun 14 15:19:32 2009 Subject: [BCNnet] FW: Chicago Wilderness and BP Message-ID: June 14, 2009 Dear friends, Please circulate and contact Chicago Wilderness regarding BP's corporate membership. Carolyn Marsh ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ June 9, 2009 Melinda Pruett-Jones cwadmin@chicagowilderness.org Executive Director Chicago Wilderness Dear Ms. Pruett-Jones: Again, sadly British Petroleum Whiting Refinery in northwest Indiana is in the headlines for polluting our environment with the release of benzene, a cancer causing chemical. One reaction to this latest violation is from 19 members of Congress calling for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a comprehensive review of all BP permits. Another reaction is that a citizen organization representing residents living near the BP Whiting Refinery sent a notice of intent to sue BP under EPA guidelines. There are also four law firms that are challenging the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's decision to approve the BP air permit that allows Canadian tar sands to be refined at the plant. As you know, Michelle Uting, Chicago Wilderness, brought to your attention on October 17, 2008 that Chicago Audubon Society requested that Chicago Wilderness remove BP, a corporate council member, from membership because BP does not uphold the goals and mission of this regional organization. Michelle indicated we would hear from you, the organization's executive director or Patricia Cassady, Corporate Council Coordinator, but we are very disappointed that there was no response to our grave concerns. Given the current negative BP news, we again urge Chicago Wilderness to uphold higher standards and confront BP's membership. Since BP contributes financially to Chicago Wilderness, it is understandable that this request will be controversial; however, the reputation of the other organizations that belong to Chicago Wilderness should be considered as well and Chicago Audubon Society is a member. Please begin the process to challenge BP's membership in Chicago Wilderness as BP can no longer be trusted to be concerned about the condition of Lake Michigan, wildlife, and humans living in the Calumet Region and we believe they are failing to protect the region's biodiversity. Sincerely, Carolyn A. Marsh Chicago Audubon Society Whiting, Indiana Copy: Patricia Cassady patricia.cassady@chicagowilderness.org Corporate Council Coordinator Chicago Wilderness ____________________________________________________________________________ _________________ CONTACT: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 09-OPA100 EPA cites BP's Whiting, Ind., refinery for clean-air violations (Chicago - June 2, 2009) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has cited BP Products North America Inc. for alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's petroleum refinery at 2815 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, Ind. EPA alleges that for calendar years 2003 through 2008 BP failed to manage and treat benzene waste from the facility as required by the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. The facility's 2008 report showed that benzene waste was almost 16 times the amount allowed. These are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company in federal court. BP has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. Acute health effects from benzene exposure can include dizziness and lightheadedness; eye, nose and throat irritation; upset stomach and vomiting; irregular heartbeat; convulsions and death. Ecological effects include death in exposed animal, bird and fish populations and death or reduced growth rate in plant life. Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at http://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at http"//www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints. ### ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________ Chicago Wilderness: http://www.chicagowilderness.org Corporate Council and mission: http://www.chicagowilderness.org/members.php Congressional leaders call for BP investigation: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/il10_kirk/Kirk_and_Quigley_BP.html Chicago Audubon Society: Canadian Tar Sands Oil Development, the Environmental Nightmare: http://www.chicagoaudubon.org/pages/2009/vol23_2/compass_vol23-2_2009_web.pd f -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20090614/aa6448f1/attachment-0001.html