Program Updates and News

Soundkeeper files extensive public hearing comments on Millstone permit -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer who has called the Millstone Nuclear Power station "a perpetual fish killing machine" submitted extensive comments this week concerning the tentative decision of the CT DEP regarding the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, CT. (1/28/2008)
Soundkeeper Test Portable Demonstration Filter -- Soundkeeper's Science officer Julia Hyman (red coat) and Ridolfo Manzione of Abtech Industries test a new demonstration filter device this week. The portable filter is designed to demonstrate to municipal authorities, and other interested parties, what the filters can do to clean up polluted storm water.  (12/17/2007)
Soundkeeper Seeks 30 day Extension on Millstone Comment Period -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer has requested in a letter to CTDEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy a 30 day extension to the comment period for the revised tentative decision for the discharge permit for the Millstone nuclear power station at Waterford. CT. The comment period slated to end January 14, 2008 is problematic according to Soundkeeper Backer. “The traditional holiday/vacation season spans mid December into January making it almost impossible to arrange for professional consultants and experts to assist Soundkeeper in our comments”. said Soundkeeper Terry Backer. Read the letter to Commissioner McCarthy- (12/16/2007)
CT DEP Announces Revised Tentative Decision on Millstone Permit -- The CT DEP has, through a press release, announced the coming comment period for the discharge permit for the Millstone nuclear power station at Waterford CT. Soundkeeper has been involved in this permit process for almost a decade. Soundkeeper is seeking to reduce the number of fish, at all stages of life, from being killed in the sea water intakes of the power plant. The plant is currently permitted to suck in 2.75 billion gallons of water from Long Island Sound daily. Soundkeeper Terry Backer will be evaluating the tentative decision and making comments on the proposal. Read DEP Press Release  (12/15/2007)
Soundkeeper Terry Backer Featured on NBC -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer was featured on NBC Channel 30 as part of their Green is Universal programing. Soundkeeper Inc and Soundkeeper Terry Backer the first and current Soundkeeper are celebrating their 20 anniversary of preserving and protecting Long Island Sound. Watch the video clip here http://video.nbc30.com/player/?id=182433 (11/12/2007)
The Soundkeeper patrol checks out transmission cable removal -- In 1998, Soundkeeper brought a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit to stop a repetitive and non permitted oil discharge from seven submarine transmission cables that crossed the Sound. That action resulted in a consent decree that has led to the removal of the cables. Soundkeeper Terry Backer said he is delighted to see the old cables go but we must keep a close eye on the process. Read (10/27/2007)
The New London Day publishes Soundkeeper Terry Backer’s challenges on Millstone (click here) -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer’s opinion editorial on the closed cycle cooling, a process to recycle cooling water, debate for Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford Connecticut was published on Sunday October 6th. In the article Backer takes to task the reasons Dominion, owners of Millstone, give for not installing closed cycle cooling at the plant. “It is more profitable to kill our fish than take away for Dominion shareholders. If a citizen takes a fish illegally they can be fined for each fish they take – if Dominion kills billions of fish they get a pass”. Said Terry Backer. Click "More" to read the Terry Backer’s op-ed in the Day newspaper  (10/8/2007)
Soundkeeper Filter Project Expands -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer said the “Soundkeeper Filter project” in cooperation with the City of Norwalk has expanded. Soundkeeper installed 15 new Abtech Ultra Urban filters in East Norwalk, CT. Prior to the installation a number of water samples were collected for later comparison to the filtered runoff. Soundkeeper’s South Norwalk project has removed 1200 gallons of oil,  (9/29/2007)
Soundkeeper in Russia: Storm Water Pollution High Priority for Moscow -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer, at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Natural Recourses, recently led a delegation of Waterkeepers to Moscow. Backer said that they were invited to collaborate on the Moscow storm water system with officials of the City of Moscow storm water utility. “I was surprised, even amazed by the level of attention the city officials have given to storm water pollution” said Backer. In many ways, according to Soundkeeper Backer, Moscow is better positioned to address storm water pollution than any of the major cities in the United States and appears more eager to do so. Pollution of the Moscow River is a top priority for the city. (9/27/2007)
CT Legislature Passes Bond Act to Fund Neglected Clean Water Fund. -- The Connecticut state legislature yesterday passed a bonding bill that included $110 million dollars for the state's Clean water Fund for each year of the two years of the fiscal biennium. The passage of the funding for the state Clean Water Fund comes on the heals of several years of near zero funding for improvements and new construction of sewage treatment facilities and storm water improvements. The state of Connecticut has been slipping on it’s obligation to fund important infrastructure improvements, however, this two year commitment will make it possible to get back on track. However, a veto Looms.. (9/21/2007)
News 12 Features Soundkeeper Pumpout Program -- Cablevision's News 12 in the Fairfield County area featured Soundkeeper's pump out operation this weekend. As of today Soundkeeper has preform 1390 pump outs in the Fairfiled and Westchester County areas of Long Island Sound for the 2007 boating season.Find the Cablevision News 12 website by clicking "More"  (8/6/2007)
EARTH FRIENDLY CLEANERS, LAW IN CONNECTICUT STATE BUILDINGS. -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodie Rell signed the bill recently passed by the Connecticut General Assembly requiring all state owned or leased buildings to us “Earth Friendly” cleaning products. There are literally millions of registered chemicals in use today in products for of every description including everyday cleaning supplies. From Teflon toilet bowl cleaners to sprays, powers and gels we have very little knowledge of their effect on human health in the home and on the marine environment.  (7/28/2007)
SOUNDKEEPER PUMPOUT BOATS TOP 1200 VESSEL SO FAR IN THE 2007 SEASON -- Soundkeeper’s fleet of pumpout boats have completed over 1200 pumpouts at summers half way mark. This year we have two new boats and we are expecting a third soon. The new boats have improved reliability vastly. The third boat will again improve reliability this summer and we expect to complete the fleet upgrade with a fourth vessel next spring. We are working very hard to improve our service in all areas. Thank you for helping keep the Sound clean  (7/28/2007)
Connecticut’s Long Island Sound Waters No Discharge Zone Announced -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodie Rell today announced that all of the marine waters is Connecticut’s portion of Long Island Sound are “No Discharge Zones.” This means that it is illegal to discharge any sewage from vessels, treated and untreated, to waters of the Sound. Soundkeeper Terry Backer said “It’s been a long time coming and Soundkeeper is happy to have played a role in making this happen. The Sound should not be treated as anyone's personal toilet.” Backer also said that New York’s portion of the Sound’s waters are not yet established no discharge zones. “This is a weak link in the protection of the Sound but we hope to work with New York State to get no discharge zones. (7/26/2007)
SECOND CICURIT COUNT STANDS PAT, REFUSES EPA’S AND THE UTILITY INDUSTRIES MOTION TO REHEAR RIVERKEEPER V. EPA -- EPA and Power Plant industry attempted to persuade the Second Circuit Court to rehear the landmark case, Riverkeeper v EPA (Soundkeeper is co-plantiff in the case) It is gratifying that not one judge requested en banc rehearing (had any judge requested it, all of the judges on the court would have voted whether to rehear it). The case was ruled on in January and was a major victory for Long Island Sound and nation’s waters. The Court sent EPA’s inadequate regulations for power plant water intakes to the scrape yard.  (7/10/2007)
EPA MAKES IT OFFICIAL –SUSPENDS USE OF FAULTY WATER INTAKE PHASE II RULES. -- EPA will publish in the Federal Register its order to discontinue the use of the Phase II water intake permit requirements as stated in a March 2007 memo to permit writers. EPA’s action comes on the heals of Federal Appellate Court’s remand in the case that was brought by Riverkeeper, Soundkeeper and other Waterkeeper programs. EPA’s Phase II regulations for existing power plant water intakes were deemed inappropriate by the court and weighted toward cost to the utilities at the expense of the marine environment including Long Island Sound. Soundkeeper Terry Backer said that the scraping of the Phase II rules is the start of obtaining once through cooling instead of a continuous flow that continually kills fish.  (7/6/2007)
SOUNDKEEPER TERRY BACKER CALLS ON ATTORNEY GENERAL BLUMNETHAL TO SUPPORT STATE INVOLVEMENT IN MA OIL SPILL PREVENTION CASE -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer has written Attorney General Richard Blumenthal requesting his involvement in the Massachusetts Oil Spill Prevention Act case. Soundkeeper Backer said it’s an important case for Long Island Sound because oil shipments to Massachusetts originate in Staten Island, New York and transit the Long Island Sound to points east. “We have had a number of tank barge accidents in the Sound some large, some smaller. 2,226 gallons of oil were spilled off Norwalk CT in 03’when a barge struck a rock off Goose Island and we’ve had up to 210,000 gallons leaked in the past”  (6/25/2007)
LONG ISLAND SOUND RANKED VERY LOW IN OVERALL ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH BY STUDY -- According to a report issued by the National Estuary Program, a program of the USEPA, (June 5, 2007) Long Island Sound ranked NEAR last in overall environmental quality (based on the parameters used). The National Estuary Coastal Condition report ranked Long Island Sound 26th of the 28 estuaries surveyed only Puerto Rico and New York Harbor ranked lower. Soundkeeper Terry Backer believes that polluted runoff that delivers bacterial and chemical pollutants from contaminated storm waters  (6/13/2007)
Topesy Turvey Turtle Saved -- A Diamondback terrapin clipped by a passing car and was sent flying into the air and landed on its back spinning in circles. Witnessed by Luke Backer during a morning jog on the barrier beach between the Great Meadows Marsh and Long Island Sound the terrapin was brought home checked out and returned to the mash dazed but none the worst for the wear. During June and July the Diamondbacks are seeking nesting areas in sandy dunes and many females are killed crossing roads from marshes to dune areas along the shore (6/11/2007)
SOUNDKEEPER TERRY BACKER PICKED AS VICE CHAIR OF WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE -- Soundkeeper Terry Backer was elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Waterkeeper Alliance during the annual meeting of the organization on June 9th 2007 in New Orleans. Robert F Kennedy Jr. was elected as Chair. (6/9/2007)
Horseshoe Crab Mating Season Underway – 450 Million Years Old and Counting -- Horseshoe Crabs are evil looking at first glance but they are harmless to people. They have existed since the Paleozoic era and are often called “Living Fossils” They are one of the most successful creatures the planet has produced out living almost all other species. However, habitat loss, over fishing and intentional damage to mating Crabs places great pressure on them. Mating Horseshoe Crabs are often the target of youngsters who throw stones through their shells along our beaches. Horseshoe Crabs are currently making their annual debut along the shores of Long Island Sound.  (5/27/2007)
SOUNDKEEPER PUMPOUT SERVICE BEGINS SATURDAY MAY 26TH -- Soundkeeper's pumpout service for the Norwalk/Westport and Stamford harbors begins Saturday May 26th. Greenwich and the Westchester area will begin as soon as the new pumpout boats on order are delivered. The new boats are 23ft Northcoast boats that are safer work platforms and have an additional 100 gallons holding capacity. They are equiped with new 200hp four stroke Mercury Verdao motors that we hope will provide more dependable service for you and the program. Please click the pumpout Icon on this home page and register for online service. For our returning friends a new profile must be entered each year for dependabiliy of service. Have a safe boating season.  (5/25/2007)
Soundkeeper Seeks To Stop Fish Killing Machines
Soundkeeper Receives Second EPA Approved QAPP for Water Testing
Attack of the Jellifish--Is nitrogen pollution changing the food chain in the Long Island Sound?
Soundkeeper's Long Battle Nears End--Seven Leaking Cables To Be Removed From Sound
Soundkeeper To Expand Polluted Stormwater Campaign
Soundkeeper gets EPA approval on Quality Assurance Project Plan
Soundkeeper Filter Projects Prompts Storm Water Clean Up Bill
COURT OF APPEALS RULES IN FAVOR OF SOUNDKEEPER AND OTHER WATERKEEPERS
SOUNDKEEPER SUES EPA TO STOP FISH KILLING MACHINES AND ENFORCE THE CLEAN WATER ACT
2000 Boats Pumped This Season -Soundkeeper Seasons Comes to a Close
Soundkeeper Welcomes New Pumpout Boat
Soundkeeper Tour Nets $70 Million Pledge for Clean Water
Our oceans are in big trouble : Read LA Times Five Part Series:
Soundkeeper Pumpout boats complete over 1,000 pumpouts at mid-summer.
Soundkeeper to conduct surveillance for mysterious Sudden Wetland Dieback in Long Island Sound