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