Support our local businesses… check out the 3/50 Project!

The 3/50 Project helps keep our independent, locally owned businesses finically sound by inspiring consumers to pick three local businesses to support.  Help save your local economy and get involved! For more information visit http://the350project.net or http://www.facebook.com/The350Project.

June 23, 2010   Posted in: Public Events  Comments Closed

August 28th, Two Great Events!

Day: Celebration of Water Festival at Riverfront Park

Evening: Wild Summer’s Nite Auction & Wild Game Feast

Watch for details!

June 23, 2010   Posted in: Public Events  Comments Closed

July 6th, Green Drinks Columbia

Tuesday, July 6  from 5:30 to 7:00PM

Keep the Midlands Beautiful in partnership with the Sierra Club is hosting an opportunity for eco-friendly individuals to network, socialize, and discuss various environmental issues in an informal setting.  Kelly’s 1001 Washington Street Columbia, SC.

June 23, 2010   Posted in: Public Events  Comments Closed

June 26, AmericaSpeaks: Our Budget, Our Economy

Saturday, June 26  from 11:30AM to 6PM at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

You are invited to take part in a nationwide discussion of our federal budget, our deficit, and our economy. Only 20 cities in the United States have been selected for the Our Budget, Our Economy discussion, and only six are face to face. Columbia is fortunate to be selected as one of the six.  We will discuss the budget challenges, and collectively identify priorities and options to reduce the national debt.  More information & to register, visit www.usabudgetdiscussion.org.

June 23, 2010   Posted in: Public Events  Comments Closed

June 26, Take Part in a Butterfly Census

Come participate in the North American Butterfly Association annual butterfly count at Congaree National Park. To make reservations call (803) 647-3966. No experience is necessary. Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Sun protection, water and food are recommended, as are binoculars.

June 23, 2010   Posted in: Public Events  Comments Closed

Celebrate National Pollinators Week!

Do your part to help halt the declining population of the birds, bees, bats and

beetles vital to the growth of our fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. Provide

many sources of flower pollen for these valuable critters. June 21-27 is National

Pollinators week as proclaimed by the USDA .  You can

celebrate by joining the butterfly count at Congaree Swamp June 26.

But first  add a blooming flower to your garden!   See our newsletter archive for info on Sustainable Gardening.


June 18, 2010   Posted in: Environmental Concern, Public Events  Comments Closed

EPA proposes new drinking water standards

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise a national primary drinking water regulation to achieve greater public health protection against waterborne pathogens in the distribution systems of public water systems.  Waterborne pathogens can cause a variety of illnesses with symptoms such as acute abdominal discomfort or in more extreme cases, kidney failure, hepatitis or chronic concerns.

EPA is proposing to revise the 1989 Total Coliform Rule to incorporate improvements recommended by a federal advisory committee that included representatives from a broad range of stakeholder groups, including public health and public interest groups, environmental groups, state drinking water agencies and drinking water utilities.  EPA used a transparent, collaborative process with stakeholders to help make this regulation more effective.

The revised rule will better protect people from potential exposure to dangerous microbes because it requires water systems to take action when monitoring results indicate that contamination or a pathway to contamination may be present.  Water utilities are required to regularly monitor for microbial contamination in the distribution system. Although microbes detected in monitoring are not necessarily pathogens themselves, the detection can indicate that there is a pathway that would allow pathogens to enter the system, such as a water main break or an opening in a storage tank.  Under the proposed rule, when monitoring results are positive, systems must find and fix any pathways leading to microbial risk.

The proposal also provides incentives for better system operation by improving the criteria for public water systems to qualify for and stay on reduced monitoring, which provides an opportunity to reduce system burden.  In addition, the proposed rule updates conditions that will trigger public notices to better represent the relative health threat identified. It also makes the wording required in these public notices more clear. These changes increase consumer confidence in the safety of their water and understanding of the risks when contamination occurs.

EPA is seeking public comment on this proposed rule for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.

More information about the proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/tcr/index.html

R21

June 17, 2010   Posted in: In the news  Comments Closed

June 1st, Richland County Public Hearing

Green space, bikeways, pedestrian paths, public transit and well designed roads that encourage alternative transportation and economic development, all key elements of sustainable communities.  Richland County Council has been spearheading a plan to fund specific projects that will implement these sustainable elements in Richland County.  The plan will also provide dedicated funding so that our exisiting public transit system can return to a level of service that will encourage use.

Richland County Council has proposed an ordinance to implement a 1% increase in our county sales tax to fund these projects.  There will be a public hearing on this proposal held on Tuesday, June 1, at 6PM, at the Richland County Admin Building (2020 Hampton).   If the council approves this proposed ordinance it will be placed on the ballot as a referendum and the public will have the opportunity to vote (for or against it) in the November general election. Please urge Council Members to pass this ordinance and send it to the voters!

May 27, 2010   Posted in: ACTION ALERT, Public Hearing, Richland County legislation  Comments Closed

Richland County proposes ballot amendment to fund road/transit/greenways

County Council unanimously approved the CMRTA’s proposed improvements and adjustments to the transit system, effective July 12, 2010.

In addition, there was also a positive vote by County Council for the 2nd Reading of the Ordinance regarding a 1-cent sales tax to support and improve the County’s transportation network.

The public hearing on the 1-cent sales tax has been scheduled for Tuesday June 1, 2010 in Council Chambers and the 3rd Reading has been tentatively set for June 15, 2010.

RMTA is scheduled to go before Columbia City Council on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 to present the proposed service improvements and adjustments, and request Council’s approval, as required by the Temporary Funding IGA.

May 21, 2010   Posted in: In the news, Public Hearing  Comments Closed

Sustainable Development

How can we meet the needs of today without diminishing the capacity of future generations to meet theirs? Sustainable development implies a broad view of human welfare, a long term perspective about the consequences of today’s activities, and the full involvement of civil society to reach viable solutions.

Click to read more.

May 21, 2010   Posted in: Environmental Concern, Land Use  Comments Closed