At this link you can see the draft report MDE is preparing to submit to the EPA about the presence of PCBs in our river. You can learn more about the pollutants called PCBs here.
This report is full of useful information about our river, some of which is way over my head. I'd welcome some help from someone who'd like to read it and help me to answer some questions. Please email me if you'd like to help.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Bacteria Testing to begin next week
After a couple of unexpected delays I have been able to order bacteria test kits and they should be here in about a week.
There remain some unanswered questions and I'm working on getting those answered now:
- where should we test ?
- how often should we test ?
- who can help with testing ?
More to follow.
There remain some unanswered questions and I'm working on getting those answered now:
- where should we test ?
- how often should we test ?
- who can help with testing ?
More to follow.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Report on Sassafras River Association Annual Meeting
I attended the annual meeting of the Sassafras River Association on July 21st at the Turner Creek Pavilion in Kennedyville. There were about 100 people present. I thought the meeting went well, and both the volunteers and the paid staff are to be commended for a smooth and organized meeting.
Two parts of the meeting were especially memorable. First was a presentation by author Tom Horton, who has been writing and researching about the bay seemingly forever. He has a great sense of humor and speaks with the ease and confidence of someone who not only is passionate but also knows his subject material cold.
Second was the presentation of the SWAP, which is what they call the Sassafras Watershed Action Plan. SRA has obviously put a ton of work into developing a plan for addressing each aspect of their watershed and how they can act to improve the quality of the water which goes into the river. They even have a line item in the plan with funding proposed for the purpose of helping other organizations, like our very own Bohemia River Association.
Two parts of the meeting were especially memorable. First was a presentation by author Tom Horton, who has been writing and researching about the bay seemingly forever. He has a great sense of humor and speaks with the ease and confidence of someone who not only is passionate but also knows his subject material cold.
Second was the presentation of the SWAP, which is what they call the Sassafras Watershed Action Plan. SRA has obviously put a ton of work into developing a plan for addressing each aspect of their watershed and how they can act to improve the quality of the water which goes into the river. They even have a line item in the plan with funding proposed for the purpose of helping other organizations, like our very own Bohemia River Association.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Bohemia River Association update 7/15/09
Hello All
Thanks again for attending our meeting. It was a gratifying turnout and it certainly got some attention, which is good!
Before I continue I'd like to remind everyone that we have a website: http://www.bohemiariver.org/ . I will update it periodically with copies of emails like this one as well as other things (like important links). The website and this email group can help reduce the time and financial burdens of communicating with a lot of people.
Two messages came through loud and clear at the meeting:
1) as a group our biggest (but far from only) concern is bacteria levels in the water.
2) near the end of the meeting during John Burke's (of Sassafras River Association) talk, he was asked, "what results have you seen after 5 years?" and the answer was "none." (why is the best question always the last one when there's no time for exploration?) This has created a controversy as people properly ask, "well, if results are not possible, then why bother?"
I'd like to address both of these questions quickly but completely:
1) These bacteria are called e. coli and fecal coliform; they come from boat discharges, septic systems, sewer plants, farm runoff, and animals on and around our river. It's a given that the bacteria exist; the question is: how much bacteria is present, and does this present a health problem? I've spent the last couple of weeks gathering information about how we can do this testing so that a) it's affordable, b) it'll be easy for volunteers to participate, and c) it'll be as scientifically valid as we can make it. I need just a little more information and I'll be able to send the group a draft plan on testing we can begin as soon as possible.
2) I took the opportunity to ask John Burke of SRA for some followup
comments on this topic. Here is his response:
Peter, I thought it was rather interesting exchange as well, perhaps the answer should have been we don't know. As you know we are in the midst of our evaluation of the river and point sources of pollution, it is impossible to determine where you are going until you know where you have been. Most of our efforts have been about awareness and evaluation, we will begin restoration strategies after the analysis is completed.
This is a fairly common complaint and one that much older organizations have similar problems addressing. Having grown up in Ohio, and in the late 60's watched the cuyahoga river, in Cleveland, catch on fire, to now when you can see the bottom of Lake Erie in 10 feet of water did not happen over night and probably took at least 30 years.
The second issue is if you stop the river from getting worse is that and accomplishment? Given some of the TMDL levels in some of the rivers I would guess yes.
The situation is similar to the emergency room patient with a gunshot wound and cancer. We need to stop the bleeding immediately through thoughtful development practices, best practices farm management, nutrient reducing septic systems, following state laws regarding pumping of holding tanks and backyard to the bay awareness. We believe these steps will "stop the bleeding". The watershed assessment plan and restoration strategies can help cure the cancer.
John also volunteered to attend a future meeting where he could take more questions. But I think his response is pretty simple and boils down to this:
1) if we don't act to protect our river, no one will. At a minimum we must act to keep water quality from worsening.
2) this situation didn't happen overnight. It won't get fixed overnight.
3) we can (must) start TODAY to measure the health of our river. It takes years of data to demonstrate both the current status and effect of future changes.
4) many of us on our river plan to live here for the rest of our lives. While what we do may not have a measureable impact this year or next, thereby making the river healthier for our children, what about their children? Just because this is going to take some time doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, and that we shouldn't do it. Wouldn't it be great for your grandchildren to enjoy the Bohemia in the future the way we have in the past ?
There's a lot to do. First step, measure bacteria. More on that in my next email.
Thank you all again
Peter Kline
Thanks again for attending our meeting. It was a gratifying turnout and it certainly got some attention, which is good!
Before I continue I'd like to remind everyone that we have a website: http://www.bohemiariver.org/ . I will update it periodically with copies of emails like this one as well as other things (like important links). The website and this email group can help reduce the time and financial burdens of communicating with a lot of people.
Two messages came through loud and clear at the meeting:
1) as a group our biggest (but far from only) concern is bacteria levels in the water.
2) near the end of the meeting during John Burke's (of Sassafras River Association) talk, he was asked, "what results have you seen after 5 years?" and the answer was "none." (why is the best question always the last one when there's no time for exploration?) This has created a controversy as people properly ask, "well, if results are not possible, then why bother?"
I'd like to address both of these questions quickly but completely:
1) These bacteria are called e. coli and fecal coliform; they come from boat discharges, septic systems, sewer plants, farm runoff, and animals on and around our river. It's a given that the bacteria exist; the question is: how much bacteria is present, and does this present a health problem? I've spent the last couple of weeks gathering information about how we can do this testing so that a) it's affordable, b) it'll be easy for volunteers to participate, and c) it'll be as scientifically valid as we can make it. I need just a little more information and I'll be able to send the group a draft plan on testing we can begin as soon as possible.
2) I took the opportunity to ask John Burke of SRA for some followup
comments on this topic. Here is his response:
Peter, I thought it was rather interesting exchange as well, perhaps the answer should have been we don't know. As you know we are in the midst of our evaluation of the river and point sources of pollution, it is impossible to determine where you are going until you know where you have been. Most of our efforts have been about awareness and evaluation, we will begin restoration strategies after the analysis is completed.
This is a fairly common complaint and one that much older organizations have similar problems addressing. Having grown up in Ohio, and in the late 60's watched the cuyahoga river, in Cleveland, catch on fire, to now when you can see the bottom of Lake Erie in 10 feet of water did not happen over night and probably took at least 30 years.
The second issue is if you stop the river from getting worse is that and accomplishment? Given some of the TMDL levels in some of the rivers I would guess yes.
The situation is similar to the emergency room patient with a gunshot wound and cancer. We need to stop the bleeding immediately through thoughtful development practices, best practices farm management, nutrient reducing septic systems, following state laws regarding pumping of holding tanks and backyard to the bay awareness. We believe these steps will "stop the bleeding". The watershed assessment plan and restoration strategies can help cure the cancer.
John also volunteered to attend a future meeting where he could take more questions. But I think his response is pretty simple and boils down to this:
1) if we don't act to protect our river, no one will. At a minimum we must act to keep water quality from worsening.
2) this situation didn't happen overnight. It won't get fixed overnight.
3) we can (must) start TODAY to measure the health of our river. It takes years of data to demonstrate both the current status and effect of future changes.
4) many of us on our river plan to live here for the rest of our lives. While what we do may not have a measureable impact this year or next, thereby making the river healthier for our children, what about their children? Just because this is going to take some time doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, and that we shouldn't do it. Wouldn't it be great for your grandchildren to enjoy the Bohemia in the future the way we have in the past ?
There's a lot to do. First step, measure bacteria. More on that in my next email.
Thank you all again
Peter Kline
Hacks Point Beach Testing
http://www.cecilcountyhealth.org/ccdhBeaches.asp
Use the above link to access the testing conducted by the county health department, which is actually staffed by employees of the state of MD.
I had the opportunity to witness the sampling process in mid July. It went as follows:
1) the tester wades into the water thigh deep
2) he tests and records the water temperature and pH.
3) he performs a visual observation for floating grass, dead fish, and other undesirable things
4) at the Hacks Point beach, he takes 3 samples: one at each edge, and one in the middle. In each case, while hip deep, he takes a sterile bottle and collects a sample by dipping the bottle into the water about elbow deep (ie in 2.5 ft deep water he's sampling water roughly a foot below the surface).
5) the samples are labeled and put in a cooler. Later that day, they are transported to an MDE lab in Baltimore where the testing is performed.
The good news so far is that while bacteria levels appear elevated, they're not in violation of standards. This, of course, can change at any time based on a number of factors.
Use the above link to access the testing conducted by the county health department, which is actually staffed by employees of the state of MD.
I had the opportunity to witness the sampling process in mid July. It went as follows:
1) the tester wades into the water thigh deep
2) he tests and records the water temperature and pH.
3) he performs a visual observation for floating grass, dead fish, and other undesirable things
4) at the Hacks Point beach, he takes 3 samples: one at each edge, and one in the middle. In each case, while hip deep, he takes a sterile bottle and collects a sample by dipping the bottle into the water about elbow deep (ie in 2.5 ft deep water he's sampling water roughly a foot below the surface).
5) the samples are labeled and put in a cooler. Later that day, they are transported to an MDE lab in Baltimore where the testing is performed.
The good news so far is that while bacteria levels appear elevated, they're not in violation of standards. This, of course, can change at any time based on a number of factors.
Friday, June 26, 2009
60 People Attend Bohemia River Kickoff Meeting
What a great turnout we had last night for the first meeting of the Bohemia River Association. In addition to residents from all neighborhoods around the river (Hacks Point, Long Point, Stoney Battery, Town Point, Greenbrier, east of the bridge), we were joined by two elected officials (Commissioner Mullin, Delegate Smigiel), a candidate for county office, a representative from the MD DNR, as well as a representative from Cecil County DPW. If I've forgotten to mention anyone please accept my apology. I was truly gratified to meet everyone and had such a good time I didn't take very good notes.
Thank you again to the Hacks Point Community Association for graciously allowing us to use its building for the meeting. Thank you to Dave Fisher and Bobby Koch for making the building look its best for our guests. And thank you to the volunteers, some of whom I know, and some of whom I don't, who helped us to distribute more than 400 flyers in advance of the meeting. There's simply no way I could have done it without help. Our success will always depend upon our volunteers. Thank you again.
In the photo right is John Burke, President of Sassafras River Association, sharing his thoughts on SRA's 5 year history and how far they've come: from zero to a $240,000 annual budget with 2 full time employees speaking on behalf of the Sassafras River and the health of its watershed.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Special Thanks pt 2
Thanks also to these additional businesses for posting our notice:
Bohemia Anchorage
Hacks Point Marina
Additionally, thank you to several volunteers who have managed the distribution of flyers door-to-door on Town Point Rd as well as in Long Point.
Bohemia Anchorage
Hacks Point Marina
Additionally, thank you to several volunteers who have managed the distribution of flyers door-to-door on Town Point Rd as well as in Long Point.
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