The Catskill Chronicle

BRIDGEVILLE, NY (January 2, 2014) – The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development is hosting a complimentary State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) Educational Conference on Wednesday, January 15 at Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant, in Rock Hill, NY.

The event, which will provide continuing education credits to municipal Planning Board members and professional development hours to engineers, will highlight and explain the basics and recent changes.

Attendees will leave with a reference guide to review the material covered during the conference.

Speakers include: Travis O’Dell, Upper Delaware Council, Narrowsburg; Jack Nasca, division director, and Robert Ewing, environmental analyst-2, both of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany; Mike Merriman, project manager/permitting specialist, Ecological Analysis, LLC, Middletown; Larry Wolinsky, environmental/land use attorney, managing partner, Jacobowitz & Gubits, LLP, Walden and Jacob Billig, environmental/land use attorney, managing partner, Billig, Loughlin & Baer, LLP, Monticello.

“Major residential, commercial, and industrial developments in New York are subject to myriad federal and state laws designed to protect the environment,” Marc Baez, president/CEO of the Sullivan County Partnership, said. “As the review process often changes, we in Sullivan County need to ensure that our development leaders understand how SEQRA affects their communities, their businesses, or their clients.”

The conference is free and suitable for those on municipal planning boards, engineers, attorneys, developers, and business people. It will take place from 5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., with a break for dinner from 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant, 277 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill, NY.

To register for the seminar, contact Michele Klugman Resnick at 845.794.1110 or michele@scpartnership.com.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (January 3, 2014) – NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has provided these winter safety tips for our readers.

What is hypothermia?

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.  The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.

Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia occurs most commonly at very cold environmental temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Who is most at risk for hypothermia?

Victims of hypothermia are most often: 
  Elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating     
  Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms     
  Children left unattended     
  Adults under the influence of alcohol     
  Disabled individuals     
  People who remain outdoors for long periods – the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.

What are the warning signs for hypothermia?

Adults: 
  Shivering/exhaustion     
  Confusion/fumbling hands     
  Memory loss/slurred speech     
  Drowsiness

Infants:
  Bright red, cold skin     
  Very low energy

What should I do if I see someone with warning signs of hypothermia?

If you notice signs of hypothermia, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°F (35°C), the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:
  Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.     
  If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.     
  Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.     
  Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do NOT give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.     
  After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.     
  Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.

Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
What is frostbite?
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.  Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

What are the warning signs of frostbite?

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:
  A white or grayish-yellow skin area     
  Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy     
  Numbness 
Note: A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What should I do if I see someone with warning signs of frostbite?

If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
  Get into a warm room as soon as possible.     
  Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.     
  Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).     
  Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.     
  Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.     
  Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming.     
  Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned. 
Protect yourself when it is extremely cold

The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems.    

Watch out for signs of hypothermia. Early signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech. Infants who are suffering from hypothermia may appear to have very low energy and bright red, cold skin.    

When outside, take extra precautions to reduce the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Dress appropriately; ensure the outer layer of clothing is tightly woven to guard against loss of body heat. When outdoors, don’t ignore the warnings signs. Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat and a signal to quickly return indoors.    

For those with cardiac problems or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s orders about shoveling or performing any strenuous exercise outside. Healthy adults should always dress appropriately and work slowly when doing heavy outdoor chores.

Stay safe while heating your home
  Take precautions to avoid exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.   Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially deadly gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating. It is produced by burning fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, kerosene, coal and gasoline.    

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu but do not include a fever. At lower levels of exposure, a person may experience a headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Exposure to very high levels of carbon monoxide can result in loss of consciousness and even death.    

For more information see: 
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/carbon_monoxide/("http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/carbon_monoxide/")    

If you use a fireplace, wood stove, or portable kerosene heater to stay warm, be sure there is adequate ventilation to the outside. Without enough fresh air, carbon monoxide fumes can build up in your home. Never use a natural gas or propane stove/oven to heat your home. If you are using a kerosene heater, use 1-K grade kerosene only. Never substitute with fuel oil, diesel, gasoline or yellow (regular) kerosene.    

Open a window to provide ventilation when a portable kerosene heater is in use to reduce carbon monoxide fumes inside the home. If you plan to cook on a barbeque grill or camp stove, remember these also produce carbon monoxide and are for outdoor use only. Wood stoves, space heaters, electric heaters, kerosene heaters and pellet stoves can be dangerous unless proper safety precautions are followed. Learn more at: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/heaters("http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/heaters").

Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch and be aware of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water. To keep water pipes from freezing in the home let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing, open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. Keep the heat on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

Generator Safety
  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.     
  Never run a generator in your home or indoor spaces,such as garages, basements, porches, crawlspaces or sheds, or in partly enclosed spaces such as carports or breezeways. Generators should only be operated outside, far away from (25 feet or more if possible) and downwind of buildings. Carbon monoxide in the generator’s fumes can build up and cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can lead to death.     
  Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Overloading your generator can damage it and any appliances connected to it. Fire may result.     
  Fuel spilled on a hot generator can cause an explosion. If your generator has a detachable fuel tank, remove it before refilling. If this is not possible, shut off the generator and let it cool before refilling. 
Fire Safety
  When adding fuel to a space heater, or wood to a wood stove or fireplace, wear non-flammable gloves.     
  Never add fuel to a space heater when it is hot. The fuel can ignite, burning you and your home.     
  Keep the heater away from objects that can burn, such as furniture, rugs or curtains.     
  If you have a fire extinguisher, keep it nearby.     
  Be careful with candles–never leave them burning if you leave the room.     
  Keep children away from space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves to avoid accidental burns.

Check on your family or neighbors and find out how they’re doing. Make sure they know what to do–and what not to do–to protect their health.

More information and precautions about cold weather can be found at: 
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/cold/cold_weather_tips.htm("http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/cold/cold_weather_tips.htm") .

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Separate winter weather storms combining to affect every corner of the State; road closures impacting Interstate 84, Interstate 87, and the Long Island Expressway

NEW YORK STATE (January 2, 2014) – New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a statewide state of emergency as a major winter storm has already started to bring heavy snow, sub-zero temperatures and high winds across New York State. A state of emergency mobilizes resources to local governments that otherwise are restricted to state use only and allows the Governor to suspend laws and regulations that would impede rapid response.
The Governor urged New Yorkers to avoid traveling and stay inside their homes until the worst of the storm has passed.

“As this winter storm unfolds, bringing heavy snow and high winds to many parts of the state, I strongly urge all New Yorkers to exercise caution, avoid travel, and stay indoors,” Governor Cuomo said. “To ensure an effective and rapid response to this winter storm, I am declaring a statewide state of emergency, so resources can get to communities where they are needed as quickly as possible.”

Click here to view a copy of the Governor’s Executive Order. Click here to listen to audio from the Governor’s latest winter storm briefing conference call.

Steps taken to ensure readiness include:
Roads and Bridges
The following actions will allow plow operations on critical roadways to be maintained overnight while ensuring driver safety:

· Vehicular traffic will be banned on the following roads beginning at midnight tonight with an anticipated reopening at 5a.m. dependent upon weather conditions: Interstate 84 from the Pennsylvania state line to the Connecticut state line; Interstate 87 from exit 24 in Albany to the New York City border and the Long Island Expressway in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The ban will be enforced with a combination of entrance closures and police enforcement. Violators of the ban will be subject to a Class B misdemeanor.

· Interstate 84 from the Pennsylvania state line to the Connecticut state line will be closed to commercial truck traffic due to the winter weather conditions beginning at 5 p.m. All commercial vehicles including large trucks (over 26,000 pounds GCWR/GVWR), tractors, tractor trailers and buses will not be permitted on the 70-mile stretch of highway. Interstate 84 will be closed to all traffic beginning at midnight. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

· Motorists using bridges should allow extra travel time and operate at reduced speeds due to wet roadways. As the storm intensifies, high winds and white out conditions may result in intermittent bridge or ramp closures. Certain vehicles, including motorcycles, tractor trailers, step vans, mini buses, trucks with open backs, cars pulling trailers, motorhomes, and vehicles carrying plate glass, may be temporarily barred from using crossings due to high winds and wet roadways.
· A 35 mph speed limit is in effect on the Tappan Zee Bridge.
· There are approximately 470,000 tons of salt on hand across the state to pre-treat roads as precipitation begins.
· All Thruway and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) maintenance headquarters will be fully staffed around the clock for the duration of the storm.
· The contractor building the New NY Bridge, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will suspend all construction work on Friday due to the impending storm. TZC is currently securing all marine vessels at the project site. Crane booms and other equipment are being tied down, double checked and positioned to avoid any potential damage. TZC will maintain a small crew on site overnight to continuously monitor conditions and respond immediately to any problems.

The New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Thruway Authority have plows available statewide to clear snow and treat roads with salt and are sending additional plows to assist with snow operations in Long Island. NYSDOT crews in will be out before the storm pre-treating the roads with salt to help slow ice and snow buildup. In addition, NYSDOT has private contractors on standby with additional equipment and personnel to be deployed as necessary.

Public Transportation

· Trains will be parked on underground express tracks to keep them safe from the weather, which may curtail some express service on subways.
· The MTA advises customers that cold temperatures and blowing snow may require suspension of some portions of the region’s bus and commuter train operations, in order to protect customers and employees. Customers should avoid non-essential travel and should check service status at mta.info or calling 511 before beginning journeys.
· The MTA has prepped and deployed its fleet of snow- and ice-busting equipment to keep outdoor tracks, switches and the electrified third rail clear of snow and ice. The subway system has almost 220 miles of outdoor track, and vulnerable outdoor areas include the A train in the Rockaways, the N, B and Q trains in Brooklyn and the 5 line in the Bronx.
· Almost 500 people have been deployed to spread salt and clear snow and ice from subway stairways and platforms tonight, with 840 on the overnight tour.
· Personnel have been deployed to help keep bus stops clear of ice and snow. Employees and equipment have been strategically placed to respond to any problems buses may encounter on the road. Special attention is paid to hilly routes which could pose problems. All buses will have chains installed by 7 p.m. this evening, and most articulated buses will be replaced with standard buses, which are easier to maneuver in snow and ice.
· NYCT Buses will have 2,900 buses equipped with tire chains tonight, along with 25 snow-fighting trucks and 10 two trucks.
· MTA Bridges and Tunnels has nearly 100 snow-fighting vehicles staffed and ready and more than 7,000 tons of snow-melt available.
· Subways have six de-icers crewed and operating in rail yards.
· Long Island Rail Road has 16 large pieces of snow removal equipment on the rails, including a large spreader-ditcher known as “Darth Vader.” Metro-North Railroad has five cold air blowers and three snow jets – jet engines mounted on rail cars – to clear snow.
· The LIRR may suspend service for the sake of customers and personnel if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. Crews will be out in force to clear tracks and the third rail used to power electric trains.
· LIRR may also run on modified schedule on Friday depending on overnight conditions.
· LIRR waiting rooms will remain open overnight and through the weekend to give customers shelter as they wait for trains.
· The predicted severity of the winter storm will likely require Metro-North to change its scheduled service. As the evening progresses, train service may be reduced or suspended, depending upon weather conditions, to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm. Details will be posted at mta.info and sent to MTA customers via email, text message and Twitter.
· The best way to stay informed about railroad, subway and bus status is to subscribe to up-to-the-minute service alerts right from the MTA. Sign up at mymtaalerts.com for email or text messages.
· Several major long-haul bus carriers will cease operations from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to points north of New York City. Travelers are strongly urged to check with their bus carriers before heading to the terminal this evening and tomorrow.
· PATH service is operating normally.

Power

· The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has extended its call center helpline hours beginning today, January 2 until 7:30 p.m., and continuing from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 3, and Saturday, January 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., if needed, to assist consumers in storm preparation and response efforts. The helpline number is 1-800-342-3377.
· PSC staff will continue to monitor the utilities’ efforts throughout the storm and during the restoration period.
· The electric utilities are prepared to respond to power disruptions throughout the event. In total, approximately 3,800 field workers are available to respond statewide. Additional crews are also available through mutual assistance, if needed.

Airports

· The four New York City airports are open, but airlines are operating on a significantly reduced schedule, with more than 412 flights cancelled as of mid-afternoon. Crews are applying anti-icing chemicals to runways and taxiways to keep them free of ice. In the event that some travelers become stranded, airport personnel are preparing cots, blankets and other essentials to assist customers. All air travelers should check with their carriers before traveling to the airport.

Public Safety

· All specialty vehicles in the State Police’s fleet including ATV’s, snowmobiles and four wheel drive vehicles have been prepared for emergency response use. All emergency power and communications equipment has been tested.
· State Police troopers normally assigned to Traffic Incident Management and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers have been re-assigned to patrol duties for this storm.
· State Police will provide staff to any county emergency operations centers that may be activated to help coordinate responses with local agencies.
· The Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services has staff in Emergency Operation Centers to coordinate state and county responses in affected areas.

The National Weather Service has issued the following information based on the combined winter storms:

· Nassau and Suffolk Counties: a Blizzard Warning is in effect from Thursday at 6:00 p.m. until Friday at 1:00 p.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 6-10 inches are forecast. Sustained winds of 25 to 35mph with gusts to 45 mph are forecast.
· Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond Counties: a Winter Storm Warning in effect from Thursday at 6:00p.m. until Friday at 1:00p.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 6 to 8 inches are forecast. Sustained winds of 15 to 25mph with gusts to 35 mph are forecast.
· Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester Counties: a Winter Storm Warning is also in effect from Thursday at 4:00a.m. until Friday at 10:00a.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches are forecast. Sustained winds of 10 to 15mph with gusts to 25mph are expected.
· Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington Counties: a Winter Storm Warning in effect from tonight at 10:00 p.m. until Friday at 10:00a.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are forecast. Sustained winds of 10 to 15mph with gusts to 25mph are expected.
· Jefferson and Lewis Counties: a Wind Chill Warning has been issued until 12:00 p.m. on January 3rd. Winds are expected to be 10 to 20 mph. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be as low as 25 below zero tonight and as low as 35 below zero Thursday night.
· Oswego County: a Winter Storm Warning which is in effect until Friday at 10:00a.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are forecast.
· Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming Counties: a Winter Storm Warning has been issued until January 3rd at 10:00 a.m. Total snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are forecast.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (January 2, 2014) Issued By:NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)

Affected Jurisdiction: Sullivan County

* Locations…Northeast Pennsylvania And Sullivan County New York. 

* Hazards…Heavy Snow…Blowing Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills.

* Total Snow Accumulations…5 To 10 Inches…With The Highest Amounts In Sullivan County New York And Near The New York Border.

* Winds…Becoming Northwest At 10 To 20 Mph With Higher Gusts Late Tonight And Friday.

* Wind Chills…Will Drop To Between Minus 10 To Minus 25 Degrees Late Tonight And Friday.

* Timing…Light Snow Will Become Steady And Heavy At Times Late This Afternoon And Tonight Before Tapering Off Early Friday Morning. Northerly Winds Will Increase As Bitterly Cold Air Pushes Down Into Northeast Pennsylvania And Sullivan County New York Tonight. Wind Chills Will Drop To Between Minus 10 To Minus 25 Degrees Late Tonight And Friday Morning.

* Impacts…Snow Will Result In Hazardous Travel. Snow And Blowing Snow Will Make For Very Poor Visibility At Times… Especially Tonight. In Addition…Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Are Expected Late Tonight And Friday. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions…

A Winter Storm Warning Means Severe Winter Weather Conditions Are Expected Or Occurring. Heavy Snow…Blowing Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Are Forecast. Travel Will Become Dangerous.

If You Must Travel…Keep An Extra Flashlight…Food…And Water In Your Vehicle In Case Of An Emergency.

Please Report Snowfall Amounts To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772…Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

Instructions: Please stay tuned to your local radio or TV Station for more information.

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Issued By: NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions: Sullivan County

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (January 1, 2014)…A Winter Storm Will Ring In The New Year Across Central New York And Northeast Pennsylvania... .Low Pressure Will Track From The Southern Plains To The Lower Ohio Valley Tonight…Across Virginia Thursday And Eventually Off The Mid Atlantic Coast By Friday Morning. This Low Will Strengthen Into A Significant Winter Storm And Spread Accumulating Snows Across Central New York Tonight And Across Northeast Pennsylvania Thursday. The Snow Will Be Heavy At Times Thursday Afternoon And Night Before Tapering Off To Snow Showers Friday Morning. Snow Accumulations Will Range From 5 To 12 Inches. Arctic Air Will Follow This Storm And Pour Down Into The Region On Strong Northerly Winds Thursday Night And Friday Morning. The Winds Will Lead To Considerable Blowing And Drifting Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Later Thursday Night And Friday Morning. …Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 10 AM Thursday To 10 AM EST Friday… The National Weather Service In Binghamton Has Issued A Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow…Blowing Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills…Which Is In Effect From 10 AM Thursday To 10 AM EST Friday. * Locations…Northeast Pennsylvania And Sullivan County New York. * Hazards…Heavy Snow…Blowing Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills. * Total Snow Accumulations…5 To 9 Inches Of Snow By Friday Morning. * Wind Chills…Will Drop As Low As Minus 15 To Minus 25 Degrees Late Thursday Night And Friday Morning. * Timing…Light Snow And Flurries Will Continue Into Tonight With Accumulations Of An Inch Or Less. Snow Will Become Steadier Thursday Morning…And Heavy At Times Thursday Night Before Tapering Off Friday Morning. Northerly Winds Will Increase With Bitterly Cold Air Pushing Down Into Northeast Pennsylvania And Southeast New York Thursday Night. Wind Chills Will Drop To Minus 15 To Minus 25 Degrees By Late Thursday Night And Friday Morning. * Impacts…Snow Will Result In Hazardous Travel. Snow And Blowing Snow Will Make For Very Poor Visibility At Times… Especially Thursday Night. In Addition…Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Are Expected Late Thursday Night And Friday Morning. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions… A Winter Storm Warning Means Severe Winter Weather Conditions Are Expected Or Occurring. Heavy Snow…Blowing Snow And Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Are Forecast. Travel Will Become Dangerous. If You Must Travel…Keep An Extra Flashlight…Food…And Water In Your Vehicle In Case Of An Emergency. Please Report Snowfall Amounts To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772…Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

Please stay tuned to your local radio or TV Station for more information.

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