SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS

 January

                    2014

 

  

Experience is the hardest kind of teacher.  It gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward.
 
 
  Radon Testing Encouraged During National Radon Action Month

by:

Jan Compton

TDEC-Office of Sustainable Practices

 

January is National Radon Action Month and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is encouraging all residents to test their homes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors. This can be an issue as radon is a naturally occurring gas that can seep into homes through cracks and openings in the foundation. It cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, but in concentrated levels radon can pose a threat to human health.

 

January brings cooler weather for the Volunteer state and increases the time Tennesseans spend indoors. Residents may be enjoying a favorite football game, spending quality time with family sitting by the fire, reading a book, or even taking a nap in their homes. "While in their homes resting, we are encouraging citizens to be testing" said TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau. "A simple do-it-yourself test can determine the presence of radon with use of test kits which are readily available, inexpensive to buy, and can save lives."

 

The best time to test is during consistently cold weather, usually from October to March. This is the time of year when doors and windows are shut, so the test results are more representative of in-home exposure. Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost comparable to that of many common household repairs, such as painting or installing a new water heater.

 
To learn more about the dangers of radon exposure, please visit the Tennessee Department of Health's Healthy Homes website at http://health.state.tn.us/HealthyHomes/radon.shtml. In addition to radon tips for the home, the Healthy Homes website offers a comprehensive approach to preventing diseases and injuries that result from housing-related hazards and deficiencies.

 

For additional information about radon, please visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/sustainable-practices_radon-program.shtml or contact the Tennessee Radon Program at 1-800-232-1139. 

 

 

 

 

       
  TDEC Announces $2.3 Million in Recycling Equipment and Hub Grants 
   

 

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau today awarded approximately $2.3 million in Recycling Equipment and Hub / Spoke Grants for FY 2014 projects to help reduce landfill waste in Tennessee.

 

"We are pleased to fund these projects through the state's Solid Waste Management Fund," Martineau said. "These grants promote and increase recycling across the state and engage partnerships among counties and municipalities."

 

Recycling Equipment Grants

Recycling Equipment Grants may be used to purchase equipment for new recycling programs, improve and expand the operation of an existing site or prepare recyclable materials for transport and marketing. Grants may be awarded to counties, cities, non-profit recycling organizations and solid waste authorities to help reach or exceed the goals set forth in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991. Each recipient is required to match the state grant on a sliding scale basis. Local matching funds toward these 12 projects total more than $115,213.  Click Here to read more about these projects.

 

Recycling Hub and Spoke Grants

The Recycling Hub and Spoke Grants are for the development and expansion of regional facilities to collect, transport and process recyclable material for multiple counties and municipalities. The project purpose is to increase recycling between counties and municipalities by promoting greater regional cooperation. Matching funds are not required for the Recycling Hub and Spoke Grants.  Click Here to read more about these projects.

 

       

Reelfoot Lake State Park Hosts Eagle Tours

  

Reelfoot Lake State Park invites visitors to attend the annual eagle bus tours to observe bald eagles and waterfowl. Tours are conducted seven days a week through March 2.

 

Daily tours depart from the park's visitor center at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Park personnel lead the approximately two-hour tour, which includes opportunities to stop for photos and sightseeing.

Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased at the visitor center for $5 per person. Special groups should make reservations in advance.  All visitors should dress warmly and bring field glasses and cameras.

 

"The Reelfoot Lake Eagle Tours and Festival is one of America's premier wildlife watching adventures," Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said. "Bird watching in a fantastic venue of scenic beauty such as at Reelfoot Lake is an excellent way to learn about our natural world by experiencing first-hand this very special state park."

 

In addition to tours, each Saturday night in January and February will feature a guest speaker at 7 p.m. in Ellington Hall. For more information on eagle tours and guest speakers, contact 731-253-9652.

 

Reelfoot Lake State Park will also host the 10th Annual Eagle Festival Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2. The festival will include eagle and waterfowl tours, sunrise photography walks, art and photography contests, a Birds of Prey program and children's activities. For more information on the festival, contact 731-253-2007.

 

Designated a national natural landmark, Reelfoot Lake was created by a series of violent New Madrid fault zone earthquakes in northwest Tennessee during the winter of 1811-1812. Reelfoot Lake State Park offers outstanding recreational activities, such as wildlife viewing, fishing, boating, hunting and hiking. The park is located in Lake and Obion counties near Tiptonville. The park's 280 acres are divided into 10 segments along 22 miles of the Reelfoot Lake shoreline. The park's visitor and interpretive centers, auditorium, picnic and camping areas are located along State Highways 21 and 22. For more information, visit http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/reelfoot-lake.

 


           
  

The Tennessee Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state. For more than 25 years, the awards have been presented to individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the protection and improvement of our natural resources and wildlife.

 

The awards are designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of effective practices and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the natural resources of their community and the state.  Click on the above logo for more information. 

 

Nominations will open January 1, 2014 and be accepted until March 31, 2014.

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If you have a story for our monthly newsletter, please share it.  Deadlines for story submissions will be the last Friday of each month.  This monthly newsletter is published by TDEC Office of Sustainable Practices.