Here you can find many of the presentations, brochures, and other eductional materials that the EMC has prepared.  In addition to viewing these documents online, feel free to come browse the EMC library of over five hundred environmentally-related documents that are historical in nature.

Online Materials

Lake Source Cooling

Presentation on Lake Source Cooling (pdf) (2005): A presentation to the League of Women Voters chronicling the history of Cornell University's Lake Source Cooling project and their request in 2005 to reduce water quality monitoring site on Cayuga Lake.

Open Burning

Open Burning of Household Waste - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (doc) (2005): A two-page flyer explaining the EMC's campaign to prevent open burning of household waste in Tompkins County.

Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

Presentation on Climate Change and the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (pdf) (2004)

Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for County Government Operations (pdf) (2003): A plan to, by 2008, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases generated by county operations by 20 percent compared to the base year of 1998.

Tompkins County Emissions Inventory (pdf) (2001): An inventory of greenhouse gas emission for the Tompkins County Community and County Government.

Oil and Gas Drilling

Sample leases for oil and gas drilling to guide public awareness and for informational purposes were prepared by the EMC and the County Attorney. (two documents)
Sample Surface Occupancy Lease (pdf) (doc) (2002)
Sample Non-Surface Occupancy Lease (pdf) (doc) (2002)

Green Tags

Green Tags Informational Sheet (pdf) (2002): A description of green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, that compensate buyers for purchasing the environmental attributes of a renewable energy source.

Unique Natural Areas

The Unique Natural Areas Inventory includes an extensive database, GIS coverage, and report on nearly 200 sites determined to contain significant ecological, biological, geological, or aesthetic characteristics. The Inventory is available for review at local libraries, municipal halls, and the County Planning Department. The following documents related to the Inventory are available on-line:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Unique Natural Areas of Tompkins Countyy (pdf) (doc) (2001)

Unique Natural Areas Map (pdf) (2000)

Unique Natural Areas Inventory Slide Presentation (pdf) (2000)

The Unique Natural Areas of Tompkins County Brochure (pdf) (2000)

Invasive Species

Invasive Species List (pdf) (1998): a comprehensive list of the non-native plant species found in Tompkins County that are considered invasive.

Offline Documents

The following documents are available in hard copy only at the Tompkins County Planning Department:

Land Protection Strategies for Environmentally Unique Sites (2001)

Environmental Directory (1996): A directory of 110 environmentally-related organizations and businesses serving Tompkins County.

Framework for Long Range Environmental Planning in Tompkins County (1996): A framework to help the County and local municipalities plan for the long term protection and enhancement of their natural resources.

An Evaluation of Risks Associated with Underground Storage Tanks in Tompkins County (1991): A report evaluating the risks and regulations associated with underground storage tanks in Tompkins County.

The First Twenty Years: A History of the Tompkins County EMC 1971-1991 (1992): An overview of EMC accomplishments for the first twenty years.

EMC library:  To review documents in our library, please call (607) 274-5560, or email emc@tompkins-co.org.  In addition to the documents listed above, the library's subject index includes:

• Air quality
• Energy
• Education
• Environmental impact statements
• Hazardous Waste
• Planning (natural areas, open space, trails)
• Solid Waste
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous