Help Save North Carolina's Pigeon River

The saga of the Pigeon River, polluted by a paper mill discharge for over 100 years, continues. North Carolina's Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) has refused once again to strengthen the mill's discharge permit to clean up the river. NCDWQ recently released a draft of the discharge permit, overdue for renewal since it expired in 2006.

Readers may recall an introduction to the Pigeon River's paper mill problem in our Rock the Earth Notes in November 2008. Delays in permit issuance and a secretive planning process had prompted Rock the Earth to consider filing a request for the release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act. However, NCDWQ finally published the draft permit—with NO improvement required for the Pigeon River's water quality, and allowing continuing detrimental impact to downstream habitat and communities in East Tennessee.

In fact, NCDWQ even removed the mill's “color variance,” an acknowledgement that the mill has and will continue to violate North Carolina's vague narrative standards for paper mill discharges. “That says to us they are closing the book on any future cleanup of the river,” says Katie Hicks of Clean Water For North Carolina.

Public comments are urgently needed. Please make the following points in your comments:

WHAT’S NEEDED TO RESTORE THE PIGEON RIVER?

• Strict DAILY enforcement of a numerical color standard at least as strong as the one EPA called for in 1987.

• Reduction of toxic discharges in every permit cycle.

• No more foam, odors, or “unpalatable” fish.

• Reduced discharge levels during low-flow river conditions.

• Restoration of healthy aquatic habitat by meeting Clean Water Act temperature requirements.

Written comments should be submitted to: Ms. Dina Sprinkle, NC Division of Water Quality/NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617; or via email to dina.sprinkle@ncdenr.gov and sergei.chernikov@ncdenr.gov Be sure to reference PERMIT NUMBER: NC0000272

As we go to press, the Public Comment deadline is currently set for Feb. 26. Please submit comments after that date regardless as agencies have been known to consider post-deadline comments and extend comment periods at the last minute.

Please visit the Clean Water for North Carolina website for more information on this issue.

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Thank You for Your Support in 2009!

We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who became a new or renewing member of Rock the Earth this past year, bid on an auction item, dropped a few bucks in a donation jar, or helped spread the word about our growing organization. It is only through the support and consideration of generous donors and volunteers like YOU that we were able to accomplish so much in 2009!

Highlights of Rock the Earth’s 2009 accomplishments:

• Educated music fans across the United States at over 225 concerts in 28 states, reaching approximately 1 Million music fans and artists.

• Provided environmental education & outreach this summer on tours with the Dave Matthews Band, Bad Company / Doobie Brothers, the Allman Brothers Band / Widespread Panic, The Pretenders, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Umprey’s McGee, and Gov’t. Mule.

• Participated at 18 high-profile music festivals, including: Bonnaroo, Rothbury, Outside Lands, Mile High, Virgin Mobile, Wakarusa, High Sierra, 10KLF and Phish's Festival 8, among others.

• Increased membership support to over 2,600 members (an increase of 12% from a 2008 year end 2,325 members), and our monthly e-newsletter constituent base to over 22,000 people (an increase of 16% from a 2008 year end of 19,000 readers). We have also added 5,500 Facebook Friends and Cause supporters, plus over 1,200 Twitter followers.

• Rock the Earth raised over $125,000 in 2009, the vast majority through individual memberships and donations

• Organized and trained 150 volunteers nationwide, who contributed over 10,000 hours of donated time.

• Expansion of our volunteer teams in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver and Washington, DC, with Nashville and Los Angeles ready to launch this year.

• Expanded educational activities at major festivals through the development of Rock the Earth’s Green Screens and Social Change Through Music panels and artist discussions.

• Greater use of Social Media for education and advocacy efforts throughout the year.

• Rock the Earth Mobile Phone Drive informed concert-goers across the nation about the negative impact of not recycling, and engaged them to participate in mobile phone recycling initiative at no less than 25 high-profile music events. Cell phone collection achievement: 3500 out-of-use cell phones collected via festival and tour initiatives. Great start, but just the beginning. Check out www.rtephonedrive.com

• Rock the Earth received financial support from a variety of charitable and for-profit sources that included: Education Foundation of America, eMusic, Water Wheel Foundation, Bonnaroo Music Festival/Superfly Presents/AC Entertainment, Denver Foundation, Whole Foods, BonTaj Collective Action Fund, Patagonia, All Good Music Festival and Brooklyn Bowl.

• Rock the Earth also received invaluable product and service donations this year from Gibson Guitar, Bear Mountain Golf Resort, Nugs.Net, Merrill Shoes, Warner Music Group, Six Point Ales, WGBH / PBS, Rhino Records, D’Addario & Sons, Epic Records, SCI Fidelity, New Belgium Brewery, Hapa Sushi, Big Hassle Media, Radisson Hotels, Rochester Nighhawks, Rochester Amerks, Subway, MacGillivray Freeman Films, Methane Studios, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Gibson Amphitheater (LA), Fox Theatre (Boulder), The Fillmore at Irving Plaza (NY), Nokia Times Square Theatre (NY), Ogden Theatre (Denver), Bluebird Theatre (Denver), Gothic Theatre (Denver), and the Water Street Music Hall (Rochester).

• In only its fifth full year of operation, Rock the Earth continued to prosecute its first litigation matter (our lawsuit against the National Park Service over the Colorado River Management Plan) and worked on no less than a dozen other issues.

• Rock the Earth, in a coalition with ranchers and other environmental groups forced the United States Army to withdraw plans to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, an environmentally sensitive area in southern Colorado. 

• In what was our first artist-suggested issue, after several years of advocacy by Rock the Earth (and litigation by other organizations), officials withdrew plans to build the massive King William Reservoir in Virginia at the expense and health of the Mattaponi River

• Rock the Earth successfully continued to protect Colorado’s Roan Plateau from oil and gas drilling, while the case continues to be argued in Federal court.

Incredibly, Rock the Earth accomplished all of this with only two hard-working paid employees. Our sincere thanks to our supporters, our Volunteer Staff, our Advisory Board and our nation-wide team of volunteers for your many contributions and in making 2009 one of our most successful years ever!! Look for the full Annual Report on our website in March!

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Alicia Keys and Kris Allen record Public Service Announcements to help kick-off Rock the Earth’s online Mobile Phone recycling initiative

12-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys and American Idol winner Kris Allen have lent their support to the Rock the Earth online Mobile Phone Recycling Initiative. Please check out the Rock the Earth Mobile Phone Recycling Campaign online at www.rtephonedrive.com

It is a fact that cell phones contain toxic substances such as lead, nickel, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and zinc, which enter the ecosystem when phones are thrown out in one’s garbage.  These chemicals are known carcinogens and many are linked to birth defects.  The scary part is that there are over one billion out of use cell phones in the US alone, but less than 10% ever get recycled. The rest are sitting in junk drawers, toy boxes or end up in our landfills or other environmentally unsound destinations.

Please help us spread the word!  Tell all your friends and family that they can now recycle their phones from the comfort of their own home.  With free shipping, it is a quick and simple way to recycle your old phones while supporting Rock the Earth’s goal to recycle 25,000 unwanted cell phones this year!  It’s an ambitious goal and we need everyone’s help.  As a bonus, each person who recycles a phone via www.rtephonedrive.com will receive 20% Off a future Musictoday purchase.  All recyclers will receive a coupon redeemable on the online store’s extensive catalog of music related merchandise, AND each week we will award one lucky participant with a free LiveDownload Card redeemable for one digital download of a complete live concert soundboard recording of their choice from a list of participating artists, including: Phish, the Dead, Dave Matthews, String Cheese Incident, Counting Crows, Widespread Panic, Smashing Pumpkins, Black Crowes, and many more!

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Rock the Earth and Tomato’s House of Rock partner for fundraising music showcase at New York City’s Highline Ballroom

Rock the Earth partnered with New York City’s Tomato’s
House of Rock for a showcase with the music school’s students (age 8 to 17) and very special guests Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister) and Joe Russo (Further, Trey Anastasio, The Duo) at the Highline Ballroom on January 24th.  The event served as the kick-off to a school-wide mobile phone recycling drive, and featured a silent auction to benefit Rock the Earth with fantastic items donated from our friends at Gibson, D’Addario & Rhino Records. The event raised over $1,200, and we sincerely thank Tomato, the kids and parents of THOR for their support.

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In the Key of Green – Sustainable Valentine’s Day

You can green your food, your shopping, your transportation choices and more, but did you know you can green your sex life? That’s right you can have an eco-friendly sex life. From the dangers of phthalates to pesticide laden undies, it is important to be aware of the hidden hazards and make every aspect of your life a little more eco-friendly, especially the most intimate parts that can affect your health and even your sex life.

Before you get down to the good green lovin’ you may want to set the stage for a little eco-romance. Start out with sustainable seduction by lighting natural soy, beeswax or vegetable wax candles. Regular candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum based product which emits soot and nasty VOCs that can damage your health. Some candle wicks also contain lead which can enter the air during burning.

Continuing on with the seduction you might want to strut your stuff in new lingerie, but how do you know if the naughty nightie you’ve been eying is eco-friendly? Most of the underwear and lingerie found in your local stores is not very green. It is either made from petroleum based materials (polyester and nylon) or regular cotton. Organic cotton, organic and peace silks, bamboo and hemp are all sustainable fabrics being used to create gorgeous eco-lingerie. Bamboo and hemp are highly sustainable fabrics because they grow fast with minimal water usage and no need for pesticides.

Now that the romantic mood has been set, keep in mind that anything that goes in or on the body should be natural and free of harsh chemicals and toxins. Too bad most conventional sexual lubricants contain numerous chemicals, phthalates, or a string of words no one can pronounce. Many are petroleum based products like propylene glycol which is used in car batteries, brake fluid, antifreeze and solvents. Something that is used as a heavy duty industrial solvent probably shouldn’t be lubing up your private parts.

There are more green companies sprouting up everyday offering intimate organic solutions for your health and your pleasure. You can find these organic lubricants at online stores like EarthErotics.com, GoodCleanLove.com and LoveMeNaturally.com.

Now that you’ve greened all the basic areas of your sex life you are a certified eco-sexual. Go on and get down to the most natural part of it all, the good green lovin’. I hope you have a totally eco-erotic experience.

Find out all kinds of information on the world of organic and green products, who’s really green and who’s not www.organicconsumers.org

Learn about the ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products; learn about what is safe and what you should avoid www.safecosmetics.org and www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

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Rock the Earth Member Benefits: eConscious Market

eConscious Market, www.econsciousmarket.com, is an online eco-marketplace based in Boulder, Colorado, that sells ecologically and socially responsible products and donates up to 10% of every purchase to a non-profit organization the customer selects from a list of organizations on their website.

In support of their vision to drive change towards a more sustainable world, eConscious Market sells eco products created by some of the most innovative, green and socially responsible businesses available on the market today.  When selecting products to sell and companies to support, eConcsious Market has chosen manufacturers, artists, and vendors who stand out in the field of environmental or social responsibility.  Plus, they practice what they preach by committing to raise money for sustainable businesses, non-profit organizations and the environment.

Rock the Earth members receive a free membership to eConscious Market and regular discounts on green products. In addition, at checkout, customers can select from a list of non-profit organizations to donate up to 10% of their total purchase. 

To see a list of all Rock the Earth membership benefits GO HERE.

Member Benefit: FREE Members-Only Concert Tickets Offered Exclusively to Rock the Earth Members!

Did you know that Rock the Earth members can enter to win FREE TICKETS to concerts at Denver's Fillmore Auditorium, and Ogden and Bluebird Theaters, Boulder's Fox Theatre, New York's Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, the The Fillmore at Irving Plaza and the Nokia Theatre Times Square! YOU could be rockin’ out to Spoon, New Mastersounds, Les Claypool, Gomez, Assembly of Dust, Switchfoot, Killswitch Engage and MANY MORE, ABSOLUTELY FREE! What are you waiting for? Enter now at info@rocktheearth.org Include the show of your choice in the subject line, and your full name and contact details in the email. Remember – you can only win these tickets if you are a current member of Rock the Earth – be sure your membership is up-to-date before entering.

To see a list of all Rock the Earth’s upcoming shows GO HERE.

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Who's Your Planet Defender?

Since 2006, Rock the Earth has presented an annual Planet Defender award to inspirational defenders in three categories to those who uphold the ideals that Rock the Earth believes in. In 2009, RtE recognized Incubus in the "Musician" category, Van Jones (Green For All) in the "Community Leader" category, and Jessy Tolkan (Energy Action Coalition) in the "Grassroots Activist" category. These winners were chosen from among dozens of nominations made by Rock the Earth members and friends.

We are once again asking for nominations of those individuals who embody Rock the Earth's mission of Defending the Planet One Beat at a Time. Keep an eye out for those folks who you feel are helping to protect our planet's most precious places, and nominate them for the prestigious Planet Defender Award. Send your nominations to: info@rocktheearth.org

Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Rock the Earth's Public Relations/Communications Committee is currently seeking volunteers who are experienced in Promotions/Street Team marketing for our events as well as a Web expert(s) in Dreamweaver, HTML, and Photoshop to help with our monthly newsletter. In general, we are looking for energetic, personable, knowledgeable volunteers who are available for monthly projects. If any of these volunteer opportunities appeal to you, please contact Deb Shufelt via email at debs@rocktheearth.org

In addition, we have established Bay Area (San Francisco / San Jose) and Nashville regional teams, and we need to build our local volunteer pool for Education and Outreach at area concerts and events. If you are interested in hearing more, please contact robh@rocktheearth.org

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Calling All Businesses - Help us Rock Earth Day!

Rock the Earth is seeking businesses to collaborate with on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day - when events and celebrations take place throughout the week of April 18-25th. By participating in a coordinated campaign, our impact can be more significant. Please consider donating a portion of your business' sales throughout the week to Rock the Earth, or pick a specific donation day, to let your customers know you are committed to doing your part in helping create a sustainable environment. In addition to cash donations, there are other ways that you can be a part of this effort-- please call our office at 303-454-3304 or write to Scott at info@rocktheearth.org for more information. As always, Rock the Earth will be a good steward of your contributions, and by working together we can all be part of the solution.

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Last Chance for Holiday Memberships

Over the last two months, Rock the Earth has bundled some of our more popular thank you gifts into cost-saving packages. This next month is your last chance to receive these gifts at a reduced donation level. In particular, our limited edition posters by noted concert poster artists Justin Hampton, Jeff Wood, Jim Pollock, and Gary Houston will be available as gifts with all new and renewing members at the $65 level, or as part of our holiday packages for only a short time before returning to their normal membership level of $100 - so please make your tax-deductible donation to Rock the Earth NOW!

As a bonus, we will throw in 3 LiveDownload.com cards, redeemable for any concert recording in their extensive catalog, including Phish, the Dead, String Cheese, Disco Biscuits, Widespread Panic, and many more! To find out how you can take advantage of these members-only benefits, write to info@rocktheearth.org.

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Volunteer Jam

Volunteer Jam provides an outlet to thank non-staff volunteers and supporters who have rocked it big time during the past month and have gone above and beyond in their generous contribution support of the Rock the Earth cause. We want to sincerely thank each of you for giving so generously of your time and in the value of your contributions: Ben Alpert, Michael Anderson, Larry Byrd, Jonathan Cavitt, Mimi Clayton, Gaby Cortese, Erika Green, Damian Healy, Deanne Herman, Brandi Honeycutt, Susan Honing, Vince Iwinski, Ivon Jorrin, Linda Kaufman, Liz Lundy, Joyce Mishaan, Laura Schwartz, Kevin Craig West, Heather Neilson, Kevin O’Donahue, Daniel Petrafesa, Laurie Rochardt, Danny Rosen, Dawn Schmidt, Lisa Shara, Elyce Turner, Marty Walsh, Andrea Watson and Eryn Wood.

Also, many thanks to ABOVE THE LAW: Phil Bloom, Kevin McDonagh, Jason Riemer, Jeff Siegel and Mike Tunnicliffe, along with the Queen of the Partners Bar, Ms. Joy Hood for providing the venue, great hospitality and an amazing organic buffet for our terrific New York holiday fundraiser.

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What Rocks YOUR Earth?!?!?!

Jonny 5 (The Flobots)

Jonny 5 is one of the MCs in the Denver-based alternative rock/hip-hop bands the Flobots. Formed in 2005, Flobots bring a socially conscious message combined with a groundbreaking sound which includes elements of rock, hip-hop, Latin and classical music. Flobots found mainstream success with its major label debut Fight with Tools (2007), featuring the single "Handlebars” which became a popular radio hit in April 2008.

1. What environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical at this time?

There is a global consensus that climate change is a real threat to the stability of the planet. Converting that consensus into action is a critical challenge. It requires us to do things which do not come naturally, like political leaders cooperating on a grand scale, individual people making lifestyle changes, and corporations valuing long-term sustainability.  It's sort of like one of those movies where the citizens of planet earth face band together to face a threat from outer space, except not from outer space, and in slow motion.

2. What has inspired you to combine environmental activism with your art?

In January 2009, we held a conference with member of fightwithtools.org, the online community we started as a part of our non-profit organization flobots.org. At this conference about 75 people from all over the US discussed what issues were most important to address in 2009 and beyond. The group identified sustainability as where we wanted to focus our attention. Over the next 6 months, as the band worked on our new album, this conference was fresh in our minds, so it was only natural that our music would heavily reflect environmental concerns.

At our conference, people made a point that sustainability is not just about the environment. In fact, for some reason the term "environment" can sometimes turn people off. We like to see environmental sustainability as just an extension of trying to be engaged in general with ways to improve the world we live in. Once you see an issue like climate change in this way, then it stops being something for just "environmentalists" to care about, and becomes something for all of us.

Hip-hop as an art form was born by communities seeking to transform oppression into creativity. We certainly draw from the hip-hop tradition, and see ourselves as simply building upon the work of the ancestors. Across genres, there are countless examples of musicians serving as a cultural engine behind social movements: Fela Kuti, The Clash, Negro Spirituals, Mariam Makeba, Bob Dylan, all the way up to David Banner and Lady Gaga. Art and Activism belong together.

3. Where is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?

Definitely would be different for each band member. For me (Jonny 5), when I really need a recharge, I like a good old-fashioned tree climb.

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Stay Connected

Rock the Earth invites you to follow our musings and up-to-the-minute events and issues coverage at www.Twitter.com/RocktheEarth, and become a fan of Rock the Earth on Facebook to stay updated on the most notable news stories, photos and events in the Rock the Earth realm.

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