Archives for category: Leave it cleaner than you found it

Politicians, Puget Sound Press, and Earth Day

April 22, 2022 //
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I am not a big promoter of Earth Day. Whatever I believe in is mostly present with the same intensity all year long.

I am fascinated with the actions of elected officials and the press on Earth Day.

Politicians promote themselves on Earth Day. Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Americans do not live in a free and honest society.

In a free and honest society, newspeople would be asking questions related to public policy all of the time.

Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.

Has anyone ever seen the Puget Sound area press ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls?

Has anyone ever seen any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into the waters near Whidbey Island?

Love to see newspeople ask:

When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?

 

Background

Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Image at top of page: 4/22/2022

Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to show detail.

 

A photo tour of Penn Cove here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Coupeville

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

 

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

 

Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor City Park

“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”

“Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

 

Distance learning idea:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea

“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”

School teachers,

Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?

 

More here:

Anacortes – Stormwater is Rainwater

“Storm drains discharge directly into the surrounding waters, they do not lead to the wastewater treatment plant.”

Oak Harbor, WA

Storm Drain

“This “surface” water is separate from that which enters the sanitary sewer and is treated by the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

Related:

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Awards Have Been Awarded

Love To See Newspeople Ask:

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Local Waters

Earth Day Progress Report

Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press

High Quality Water For Puget Sound? – Recreational Shellfish Harvesting CLOSED Year-Round

Signs

“…talking to officials at the Town of Coupeville…”

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

When Things Get Back To Normal

4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Leave it cleaner than you found it

Forever Chemicals

May 5, 2021 //
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Watched this movie the other night:

Dark Waters

 

Jan. 6, 2016 The New York Times

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare

 

March 12, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Navy to send letters to farms warning of chemicals in groundwater

“The chemical compounds known as PFAS were found years ago in groundwater at levels above the EPA’s lifetime health advisory limit.”

“Farms near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and Outlying Field Coupeville will likely be among those notified as the chemical compounds known as PFAS were found years ago in groundwater surrounding those installations at levels above the EPA’s lifetime health advisory limit.”

“Notification packets will include a letter from the base commanding officer, a copy of the law and the range of levels for PFOA, PFOS, and/or PFBS found in groundwater.”

 

Washington State Department of Ecology

“PFAS are a large group of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These manufactured chemicals never disappear from the environment, which is why they’re called “forever chemicals.” Some of them build up in people and the environment.”

“They are used to make coatings and products resistant to oil and water, or to reduce friction. They are added to carpets, cookware, food packaging, clothing, cosmetics, and other common consumer products. PFAS also have many industrial applications and are used to make certain types of firefighting foams.”

“PFAS contamination has been found in drinking water wells in Airway Heights, North Whidbey Island, Issaquah, and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord above EPA’s health advisory level.”

 

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Photo- Slow speed mayhem

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it

Earth Day Again – Neighborhood Cleanup

April 19, 2021 //
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Possibly of interest:

Several Whidbey beaches remain closed all year long for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

Updated daily: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Related:

Local Waters

A photo tour of Penn Cove here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Distance learning idea:

Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

More here:

Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Last year:

Whidbey Earth Day

 

Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Earth Day, Leave it cleaner than you found it, Newspeople not asking questions, Newspeople Remain Silent, Restricted Activities

Never Understood

June 22, 2020 //
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Never understood the concept of:

Packing along a bag to cleanup after the dog.

Using the bag to cleanup after the dog.

Setting the bag down next to the trail & walking off.

Starting the Bluff Trail:

Arriving at the beach near Perego’s Lagoon and looking back up the trail:

Image source:

Google Images

Related:

Leave No Trace?

Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit

 

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

Local info:

Two Bluff Trails

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it, Restricted Activities

Banning Reusable and Plastic Bags Update

March 28, 2020 //
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March 25, 2020 KREM

Gov. Inslee signs Washington plastic bag ban into law

“The legislation bans retailers from giving out single-use plastic carryout bags and requires an 8-cent charge for others. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.”

 

March 26, 2020 The Inlander

Rosauers is banning reusable bags, putting up Plexiglas, to protect employees and customers

“Plexiglas shields Rosauers clerks from sneezing customers, while a sign informs customers that they aren’t allowed to bring their own reusable bags.”

“As of today at our stores, we’re going to suspend the use of reusable bags,” Rosauers CEO Jeff Philipps said at a Spokane Regional Health District press conference this morning. “I think there’s some concern by some that those bags may have viruses that are being brought from home. So we’re going to suspend that practice.”

 

If we’re going to show concern about the environment, maybe take a look at local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.

One or more sewage treatment plants are sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Coupeville

Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

 

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”

Source: WDFW

Is the sewage treatment plant is sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.

I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of investigative reporting & newspeople asking questions.

 

I’m a fan of voluntary action and allowing businesspeople to make business decisions.

If the green friendly cafe wants to make moves that are supported by their customers, I’m all for that.

If the truck stop wants to sell discount cartons of cigarettes, I’m good with that.

Americans were never meant to live in a one size fits all society, that’s why we have so many churches here and people who may opt out on attending services.

The plastic bag ban is another of many examples where freedoms may come & go-completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom.

More here:

Leave No Trace?

Welcome Sportsmen!

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

Mini volunteer project-

One Size Fits All Society

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

 

Categories Armistice Day, Hometown Pride, Leave it cleaner than you found it

Welcome Visitors

September 29, 2019 //
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Oct 24th update:

This unit has been removed. Well done.

 

Really a great area out here. Love to see it cared for.

When the name of the Keystone Ferry was changed to attract visitors to the area, did that energy extend towards maintaining public spaces adjacent to Penn Cove and the Kettles Roadside Trail?

Photo-

Just down the road from this handsome sign. A 9/28/19 image of an abandoned/vandalized RV on county property at Hwy 20 and Libbey Road. RV has been in place for more than a month.

More here:

Ferry Traffic Leaving Coupeville Terminal Routed Away From Coupeville

A few towns obviously have people who work together to set priorities and make a positive impression for visitors:

Nice & Tidy

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

Categories Hometown Pride, Leave it cleaner than you found it

Kitsap Navy – Attention to Detail

September 8, 2018 //
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Training ordnance got away from us:

Sep 5th, 2018 Port Townsend Leader

Navy investigation of mine complete

“Murray explained that it was unknown at the time if the mine was inert, so it could not safely be towed to shore for further assessment, although she added the mine was towed to a location “determined to be safest to the immediate population” for this operation.”

 

Urinals and toilets routed into Sinclair Inlet:

Sept. 7th, 2018 Kitsap Sun

Navy reports 450,000-gallon sewage spill over two years in Bremerton

Urinals and toilets routed to stormwater system rather than wastewater system. Sewage then “…flowed through the underground pipes to an outfall and into Sinclair Inlet, Leppard said.”

More here.

Possibly of interest: Temporary Kitsap Wastewater Spill

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it

Leave No Trace?

April 15, 2018 //
1

Photo above: Approaching the beach at Fort Ebey.

Some version of this scene is pretty common. I mostly don’t post about it. Once in a while- maybe it’s a good reminder. Maybe just a way to vent a little.

 

Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog

Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt

 

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it

Welcome Sportsmen!

July 20, 2015 //
0

DSC_0003
I have nothing against sportsmen, just like I have nothing against picnics or target shooting.

 

Related:

Pack it out- good intentions

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Whidbey Island- Driftwood Park

 

Categories An eye on the health of local waters, Leave it cleaner than you found it

Mini volunteer project-

June 4, 2013 //
0

Before-

DSC_0006 5After-

DSC_0013This errand took just a few minutes of my time.
Volunteers work the park all year- mowing lawns, & clearing and grooming trails.

Thanks go out to them.

 

Possibly related:

Pack it out- good intentions

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

 

Categories At the Beach, Leave it cleaner than you found it, South Indian Island

Leave it cleaner than you found it-

October 2, 2012 //
1

Heading to a safe place in the hills, spending a couple of hours shooting at tin cans, cleaning up the trash and heading home. What Fun.

 

My ideal plinking spot is safe, clean & not too popular.

For years I made use of a spot like this on public land. Recently, the road into the area has been gated.

 

I have moved on to using some of the more popular areas. People are in the habit of leaving their trash behind in these spots.

I went up recently not for shooting, but to do a little cleanup at a spot that was crying out for it.

Planning another trash run soon.

10/17/12 Another trash run-

5/7/13 Another trash run-

DSC_0003 5

 

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it, Plinking

Pack it out- good intentions

July 17, 2012 //
4

A few years back- some of our Washington State Parks removed the trash cans that were traditional at the parks.

Mystery Bay is one such location.

Mystery Bay is not a remote location where the policy applies to hiking trails or primitive campsites. Mystery Bay is just down the road from a full service state park- Fort Flagler.

Mystery Bay has a picnic shelter which is fully accessible by car. Boats pay to stay overnight.

Mystery Bay charges $10 per day, per car to access the park:

“The Discover Pass – your ticket to Washington’s great outdoors”

I do not object in any way to pack it out policies for remote locations, islands, hiking trails, primitive campsites, etc.

My feeling is that state parks that are accessible by car, have picnic shelters and charge for day use should provide trash service.

Cat box theory- make it easy for people to do the right thing and most people will.

 

People are supposed to clean up after their dogs. If they stay for 3 nights on their boat- are they supposed to tow a refrigerated dog crap container to pack it out? Pack it out to where?

If a person rents a car and travels the US for a couple weeks- where are they supposed to pack it out to?

 

Our local county parks do not charge a day fee and are having trouble staying on top of trash which exceeds the capacity of their trash cans. Are people avoiding the state day use fee or no trash policy by leaving trash at a county park?

 

I traveled to Potlatch State Park a couple summers ago. The traditional trash cans had been replaced with a pack it out policy. A trip to the restroom revealed 2 trash cans worth of trash stacked around the trash can in the restroom.

 

Additional state parks rants:

No soap in restrooms. People live in parks for days at a time- preparing food, hosting family reunions, etc. Soap in the restrooms is the way to go.

 

Discover Pass costs $5.00 extra when purchased online?

How does this $5.00 fee make any sense?

 

10 day temporary Discover Pass (provided as a receipt for online purchase) displays all drivers license info- to be seen by the general public when placed on your dash?

Why must this personal info be displayed on a temporary parking pass?

 

Categories Leave it cleaner than you found it, Washington State Parks