CIA touts enviro-friendly shredding of secrets
WASHINGTON — The CIA is talking about its version of ecoshredding on Earth Day, saying it has found a way to make the “burn after reading” process environmentally friendly.
The intelligence agency says classified papers are shredded and burned using an on-site incinerator, which then generates steam to heat water at CIA headquarters.
The CIA says the process reduces landfill waste by nearly 1,000 tons a year. Its employees also recycle more than 3 tons of plastic, glass, cardboard and other materials annually.
The agency did not offer to show reporters how its secret shredding is done, however.
NH Children’s Museum celebrates Earth Day
DOVER, N.H. — The Children’s Museum in Dover, N.H., spent Earth Day exploring ways to support a healthy planet.
Gardening experts from Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford were at the museum Friday to share information about the growing cycle of a seed. Children could plant a flower to take home.
Farm-fresh food from representatives of Seacoast Eat Local and demonstrations on how the museum has used recycled materials were featured. Visitors also could get dirty in the outdoor garden and take part in a “green” scavenger hunt.
Sewage spill halts Earth Day event near Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy canceled an Earth Day program scheduled for Saturday after more than 600,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into wetlands near the event’s Kalamazoo-area location.
Conservancy workers discovered the leak Thursday and a cleanup was under way Friday. The Kalamazoo Gazette reported that vandals caused the spill by blocking a sewer line with several logs.
Sue Foune of Kalamazoo’s Public Services Department says lime has been scattered to destroy bacteria. She says the wetlands will absorb and treat the sewage and there should be no long-term effects.
But conservancy stewardship director Nate Fuller says nutrients in the sewage will boost invasive cattails that the group has been trying to remove.
The vandalism was reported to police.
N.H. governor’s Earth Day order focused on clean water
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch has issued an executive order this Earth Day creating a commission to make sure the state has a clean, safe and sustainable water supply.
The 15-member commission will seek comment at five state hearings on concerns about the availability of sustainable water. It is charged with coming up with a plan by June 1, 2012.
The commission will be headed by John Gilbert. He’s chairman of the state water council.