Archives for category: Penn Cove Watershed

Photo above: Several years back at a farmers market somewhere in the greater Puget Sound area.

To me, the most interesting people in politics are the people who are willing to question their chosen political party.

A video from Jimmy Dore, a progressive Democrat:

Related:

Internet was better 20 years ago

18 Years Ago

June 22, 2005 Whidbey News-Times

Penn Cove listed as ‘polluted’

“…DOE took 28 samples from Penn Cove in the years 1993 to 2000. Scientists found that 24 of the samples had less than the minimum healthy level of dissolved oxygen.”

Today


Love to see newspeople ask:

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

Image above: 5/22/2023

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

Click image once or twice to show detail.

Background

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

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater. Not climate change.

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

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

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

 

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?

 

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?

 

Related:

Moving Towards A One Size Fits All Society – Climate And Environment

WDFW Monitors Water Quality at Penn Cove

 

Cliff Mass Weather Blog

May 23, 2023

Are the Large Alberta Fires the Result of Climate Change?

 

Mar 16, 2023

Serious Climate Misinformation In Seattle Time Headline Article

 

Mar 03, 2022

Misinformation about Sea Level Rise

 

Dec 13, 2022

More Climate Misinformation and Factual Errors in the Seattle Times. Should You Care?

 

Dec 29, 2022

The Origin of Seattle and Tacoma Flooding This Week

 

Image above: 6/23/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

 

In the news:

June 22, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Digging 4 Dinner Clamming classes planned

“When clamming, people should check online at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety to make sure beaches aren’t closed because of biotoxins.”

Newspeople,

Are there any concerns or news updates Re: recreational shellfish harvest and Whidbey sewage treatment outfalls?

 

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.

 

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

 

Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.

Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.

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?

 

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

 

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:

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

 

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

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

 

Image above: 4/22/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

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.

 

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

 

Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.

Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.

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?

 

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

 

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:

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

 

Image above: This really nice sign is posted at the Coupeville Wharf. I took this photo on 4/2/2020.

Unfortunately, the waters immediately adjacent to this sign are impacted year-round due to a sewage treatment plant outfall.

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

Image above: 3/26/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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:

Local Waters And The Puget Sound Area Press

 

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

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

 

Image above: 2/17/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

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.

 

In the news:

Feb 16, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Small fish, big barriers: A county confronts climate change

“…workers are putting the finishing touches on Oak Harbor’s most expensive investment ever, a $150 million state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility. Mayor Robert Severns takes pride in the purity of the water that the plant releases into Puget Sound.”

“Our citizens are paying higher rates as a result of that. It saves shellfish and salmon,” he said.

 

Jan 22, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Town mayor updates residents with annual address

This coming year is all about stormwater,” Hughes said.

“A big rainstorm in February 2020 sent “hundreds of gallons” of water rushing through the sewer plant.”

“The mayor shared that the wastewater treatment plant operators received an award from the Department of Ecology for outstanding performance.”

We always want to do as much as we can to protect the Cove,” Hughes said.

 

Oak Harbor

November 6, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off | Negotiations with Navy over connecting to sewer have ceased

“This facility is built to last the next 50 years while putting high-quality water back into the Puget Sound.”

“The high cost of this facility comes from the Washington State Department of Ecology and its requirement regarding the removal of nutrients to stringent levels in order to protect endangered marine life in our Puget Sound.”

 

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

 

Penn Cove

Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park

“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

 

Questions for newspeople:

Mayor Hughes,

Can you help us to understand how/why stormwater is routed to the facility that treats water from toilet flushing?

In both Anacortes and Oak Harbor, we are told that stormwater is separate from what is treated at the plant.

City of Anacortes:

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

City of Oak Harbor:

Storm Drain

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

 

Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.

Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.

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?

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

 

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?

 

Related:

Signs

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Anacortes – Stormwater is Rainwater

Various Versions of Hometown Pride

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

Not Climate Change

Whidbey Island Toilet Flush or Rain Water?

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

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

 

The Press

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

I will purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper working to inform us on Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.

Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island

Both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.

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

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections

 

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago

Press might need less bailout cash if it was more in the habit of asking questions

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

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:

 

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

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

 

 

Image taken on 2/3/2021

Click image to enlarge.

More about this sign here:

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance

 

Image above: 1/23/2021

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

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.

 

In the news:

Jan 22, 2021 Whidbey News-Times

Town mayor updates residents with annual address

This coming year is all about stormwater,” Hughes said.

“A big rainstorm in February 2020 sent “hundreds of gallons” of water rushing through the sewer plant.”

“The mayor shared that the wastewater treatment plant operators received an award from the Department of Ecology for outstanding performance.”

We always want to do as much as we can to protect the Cove,” Hughes said.

 

Oak Harbor

November 6, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off | Negotiations with Navy over connecting to sewer have ceased

“This facility is built to last the next 50 years while putting high-quality water back into the Puget Sound.”

“The high cost of this facility comes from the Washington State Department of Ecology and its requirement regarding the removal of nutrients to stringent levels in order to protect endangered marine life in our Puget Sound.”

 

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

 

Penn Cove

Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park

“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

 

Questions for newspeople:

Mayor Hughes,

Can you help us to understand how/why stormwater is routed to the facility that treats water from toilet flushing?

In both Anacortes and Oak Harbor, we are told that stormwater is separate from what is treated at the plant.

City of Anacortes:

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

City of Oak Harbor:

Storm Drain

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

 

Living on an Island near Puget Sound, there seems to be great concern for salmon, orca, eagles, recreational shellfish and clean water.

Underreported news stories are curious.

Maybe the press should be better about asking questions if they are going to line up for federal bailout cash.

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?

 

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a significant area.

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

Image above:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Image above:

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

Coupeville site visit 4/2/2020:

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.

Unfortunately, the waters immediately adjacent to this sign are impacted year-round due to a sewage treatment plant outfall.

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

 

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?

 

Related:

Stormwater, Untreated Sewage and Puget Sound

Anacortes – Stormwater is Rainwater

Various Versions of Hometown Pride

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

Not Climate Change

Whidbey Island Toilet Flush or Rain Water?

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

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

 

The Press

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

I will purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper working to inform us on Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.

Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island

Both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.

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

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections

 

Podcast 8 Senator Cantwell and the local press

The Press Is Weak – Newspaper Revenue Down Compared To 20 Years Ago

Press might need less bailout cash if it was more in the habit of asking questions

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

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:

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

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

 

October 28, 2020 The Seattle Times

Report released by Sen. Maria Cantwell slams Google and Facebook for decimating local news outlets

“Local journalism has been the policeman on the beat against misinformation,” Cantwell said in an interview Tuesday. “Keeping local news is too important to let these unfair market practices continue.”

 

October 28, 2020 Seattle P-I

Senator Cantwell calls out big tech companies for hurting local news organizations

The report predicts that local newspaper revenue will be down 70% by the end of the year compared to what it was 20 years ago.”

“Broadcasting is facing similar losses, with advertising revenues down more than 40% in the past two decades.”

 

The Press Is Weak

People go to alternative media because the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks have moved away from asking questions.

Sept. 28, 2020 FOX 7 Austin

Friends, family say goodbye to Texas National Guard soldier deploying overseas

During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.

Today, the Texas National Guard is sent to the U.S. Central Command Area in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Newspeople post whatever press release is handed off.

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

Is there any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to this movement of troops?

Journalism Needs Our Support Now, More Than Ever

 

The press is also good for telling everybody to get out and vote.

People could do a better job of voting if they were better informed.

 

Both Whidbey papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.

Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.

Newspapers are suppressing online comment sections, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.

Got it.

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

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

Ready to Support Local News on Whidbey Island

 

Independent/alternative media

We are big fans of Independent/alternative media here at Oak Bay Starfish.

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks are more welcome to do interviews related to public policy. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.

Alternative media is also good about keeping an active comment section up & running. There’s always something to learn or think about from the points others make in the comment section.

 

Mainstream Press

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

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, rare and mysterious cross-border arrests, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:

Comments are turned off.

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:

More here:

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

 

0:40

We’re going to have one company to make all the bombs, TV shows and deliver the news:

Years ago, reader comments were also a feature of TV news web pages. That seems to be all gone now.

 

Zero Questions/Zero Curiosity from Newspeople

Local press:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

 

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.

Image above: 10/29/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Click image to enlarge.

 

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?

Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park

“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

More here:

Not Climate Change

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

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

 

Distance learning idea:

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

 

WA voters approved enhanced background checks for firearms back in 2014.

The new requirements have had time to take hold.

Newspeople, please update us on this.

Oct. 26, 2020 The Seattle Times

Homicides, assaults with firearms spike in King County, reflecting national trend, prosecutors say

 

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

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

Billions of dollars are spent every 12 months to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

 

Has General Milley’s big DOD/cartel crackdown played any role in keeping fentanyl, meth or heroin from entering the Puget Sound area?

April 1, 2020 C-SPAN

Newspeople remain silent.

Spokane – Opioid Lawsuit Update

Miss America & The DEA vs. Drug Cartels

Cartels Respond to General Milley’s Big DOD Crackdown

Port Angeles CBP Staffing and Infrastructure

Cartel Moves Product Past General Milley, CBP & Into The Puget Sound Area – Newspeople Remain Silent

CBP Social Media Posts

Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger–a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin

Growing Up In The Cold War Era

Dystopian Leanings

 

Social Media Feelings Are Weak/Group Identities Are Favored As Long As What You Are Thinking Is Agreeable

No hate speech, insults, threats, foul language, attacking other commenters, etc.

Still not good enough:

October 29, 2020 DAVID CRARY AP National Writer

Girl Scouts tweet, then delete post about Amy Coney Barrett

American popular and political culture insists on dividing people up into groups-then assigning a separate value to each group.

Veterans Support All Candidates 2020!

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo-

Welcome Visitors

Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.

 

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 above: 7/01/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

In the news:

June 30, 2020 Whidbey News-Times

Project aims to ID source of algae bloom catalyst in lake

“Island County Public Health officials hope to finally get to the bottom of the problem, and hopefully fix it, with money from the state Department of Ecology and cooperation from the county’s Conservation District.”

“At an Island County commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, Public Works Director Keith Higman got the chance to talk about something besides COVID-19. Under the project, he explained, the state would contribute $25,000 and the county would kick in another $8,333 from the county’s clean water utility.”

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

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

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

Image above: 6/10/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

In the news:

June 9, 2020 South Whidbey Record

Cost of septic pumping to increase in Island County

They have been talking to officials at the Town of Coupeville about the possibility of a temporary sewage-related partnership. The proposal is for the town to treat the county’s supernatant, which is a clear liquid byproduct of sewage treatment that requires further treatment before it can be discharged.”

 

Looks like two sewage treatment plants are already sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Number one:

Coupeville – just west of Captain Thomas Coupe Park

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

Source: WDFW

Number two:

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

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Coupeville site visit 4/2/2020:

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:

1  On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map

Image above: April 2nd, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

2  WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:

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

3  The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.

 

Image above:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Image above:

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.

Image above: 4/22/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a significant area.

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Image above:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Image above:

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

Whidbey Earth Day

When Things Get Back To Normal

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

Image above: 4/22/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

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

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

When Things Get Back To Normal

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

Please check the Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map for an updated status on local beaches.

 

April 12, 2020 Everett Herald

Message from the editor: Our journalism needs your support

Several newspapers from around the nation have recently made the same request.

I will purchase a subscription to any Puget Sound area newspaper working to inform us on Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Background:

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

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

More here:

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

 

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

When Things Get Back To Normal

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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.

Also, please lose the guilty until proven innocent prohibitions on posting comments in various local papers.

Elimination of reader comments works against the idea of paying for an online subscription.

More here:

Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections

 

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

 

 

 

Photo at top of page-

Another green color day over in Jefferson County

 

Image above: 4/11/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

Maybe when things get back to normal, the press will ask questions about Whidbey water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls.

Maybe when things get back to normal, we’ll hear from one or more government agencies, elected officials or volunteer organizations who are seeking answers related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove.

Unfortunately, questions are not being asked, even under normal conditions.

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

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

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

Distance learning idea:

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

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Related:

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Whidbey Earth Day

Ready To Purchase A Subscription – Whidbey Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

 

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

 

 

Recent site visits:

Whidbey Waters – Mixed Signals of Concern

 

Image above: 4/2/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

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

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

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

Site Visit – Another Month With An R 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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Related:

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

Whidbey Island Toilet Flush or Rain Water?

Whidbey Signs of Water Quality

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo at top of page-

Another green color day over in Jefferson County

 

Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.

Image above: 4/2/2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a significant area.

 

Penn Cove site visits 4/2/2020:

Coupeville

Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit

North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing

Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Asking questions about local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls:

Has anyone ever seen any news report asking questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Has any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization asked questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

 

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

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

 

Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:

1  On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map

Image above: April 2nd, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

2  WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:

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

3  The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Distance learning idea:

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

 

Related:

Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

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

 

After my visit to Monroe Landing this morning, I went on to Coupeville to see if a similar sign was still posted there.

I found the sign above posted near the boat launch at Captain Thomas Coupe Park on 4/2/2020.

Maybe good days and bad days, but the sewage odor by the boat launch today at this location was intense.

On the way, I stopped at the west end of Penn Cove.

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?

Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:

1  On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map

Image above: April 2nd, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

2  WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:

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

3  The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.

 

Arriving at Captain Thomas Coupe Park, I found the sign posted at the top of the page.

 

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

 

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

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

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

Related:

Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

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

 

Image above:

This sign was seen posted near the boat ramp on my 4/2/2020 site visit to Monroe Landing.

Previous site visit here.

 

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status update:

Image above: April 2nd, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

 

West end of Penn Cove

Image above:

I found this sign posted on 4/2/2020 at the west end of Penn Cove. The sign has been there long enough to become faded from the weather.

WDFW has posted this permanent sign showing a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove. The dark shaded area indicates a location that is unsafe for clam & oyster harvest.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year.

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Related:

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

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

 

A man on the moon in 1969. Church, Boy Scouts, patriotism, pledge of allegiance, the WWII generation in charge. Signing up for the Marines.

Families with married parents and maybe a stay at home Mom. It was common for your friends to have 3 or 4 brothers and sisters.

It started out with a positive sense of American culture.

Much has changed.

Over the past 40 years or so, both major parties have taken turns in power and have squandered credibility that would help in the current situation. A wide variety of political personalities have occupied the White House.

We were told we needed to send troops to Vietnam.

Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Some may have become skeptical along the way.

 

What’s new?

People haunted by healthcare concerns.

It’s been this way for years now. It was this way prior to the current news Re: COVID-19.

People haunted by student loan debt.

Homelessness and drug addiction to the extent that people are living in tents on city sidewalks.

Children might go hungry when school is out?

March 13, 2020 CNN

The coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?

“But as other schools deliberate shutting their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some parents may be left to wonder: If schools close, how will my child eat?

More discussion and news coverage please.

 

Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:

Two major political parties that continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.

School teachers and newspeople who are OK with promoting this urban legend.

Local press:

Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?

 

Since last July 4th:

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.

Mayor Day,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

 

In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.

There were none.

Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.

 

Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea to children that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms-as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

In Washington State, these assemblies are mandatory.

The VA tells teachers that The Troops are Defending Liberty and Freedom.

Love to see a student ask: If The Troops fight for your right to sit, stand, kneel, etc.-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?

Love to see a student ask: If the wars aren’t won-how can they protect our freedom?

Love to see a student ask: Whatever happened to lessons about Armistice Day?

 

Congressman Derek Kilmer:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

 

WA Secretary of State:

Our right to vote is protected by the extraordinary men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

Page 7 of the Washington State Elections Voters Pamphlet for the November 5th, 2019 General Election:

Our right to vote is protected by the members of the U.S. Armed Forces.”

 

One of the nation’s largest, oldest and most respected veterans organizations:

Veterans, not politicians, ‘give us the right to vote,’ observers at Amherst Veterans Day ceremonies told

 

Any newspeople available to ask:

Congressman Kilmer,

If wars are fought for democracy-how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

 

Veterans give rights?

It turns out The Troops were in no hurry to enable all adults to act on their right to vote.

US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s didn’t get the job done.

It wasn’t until July of 1971 that 18 year old adults could take delivery on one of the freedoms we hear so much about.

 

After the Cold War:

The Cold War had ended. DOD was happy with their all volunteer military.

Look what they did with it.

The Cold War Had Ended

 

A Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.

We haven’t won a war since.

 

A Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.

 

Undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes

Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds

More here:

Unsustainable Military Spending

 

Billions of dollars spent every 12 months on a US Dept. of Homeland Security that fails to keep cartels from moving product into Hometown, USA.

March 2, 2020 Auburn Examiner

DEA Announces Launch of Methamphetamine Initiative

Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country.”

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan-working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Don’t worry-The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Newspeople who have stopped asking questions.

Zero Questions from Puget Sound Area Newspeople – Drug War Press Release

 

Newspeople who show no curiosity.

Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Monroe Landing:

The sewage drain pipe sign is still posted.

Went out on 3/18/20 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park:

I found that the sign is still posted.

More here:

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

Much in the way of voting over the decades since that man landed on the moon.

TV newspeople tell us that we are in a key election season again. Lots of coverage. Another panel of experts, another debate. More voting.

Stay tuned for more of the same.

 

Being positive is a good thing. Emotions can be based on experience.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Platoon 3049, MCRD San Diego

Jun-Sep 1979

 

Several examples:

March 5, 2020 KCPQ

Body found inside SUV after fire, explosion in Woodinville

Sounds pretty serious. Mob hit? Cartel job?

Any follow up of any kind from newspeople anywhere?

Please post in comments if you have updated info.

 

Gunfire on the ferry:

January 27, 2020 Kitsap News Group

Man arrested after allegedly firing gun from ferry

“…WSP Vessel and Terminal Security Troopers responded to the MV Kaleetan upon its arrival at Colman Dock. By that time, WSF crews had already secured the suspect, who had boarded the vessel by vehicle.”

WSF Bremerton to Seattle crossing time: ~ 60 min

Not my idea to promote the concept that riding safely on the ferry requires gun boat escorts, SWAT teams and K-9s on the job to detect explosives.

If a guy decides to fire a gun during a 60 minute ferry crossing and WSP waits to respond until the ferry arrives at Colman Dock, how is this security?

Will newspeople follow up and let us know if the guy who purposefully fired his handgun from the ferry had a concealed carry permit?

Did he pass any sort of background check?

Whatever happened to this guy?

A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.

 

Puget Sound area shootings roll on.

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

 

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

 

Looks like frequent gun crimes are still with us.

Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.

Any reporting or updates on this?

Your 5th grade teacher just rejected your book report. Try again.

No Word on Enhanced Background Checks – No Comments Allowed

 

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:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

 

Another month with an R status update:

Went out on 3/18/2020 to check on Monroe Landing.

Sewage drain pipe sign is still posted:

More here:

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

 

Out on 3/18/2020 to check on the sewage drain pipe sign at Captain Thomas Coupe Park. I found that the sign is still posted.

More here:

Site Visit – Captain Thomas Coupe Park

 

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 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.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

Nordland Transit Center

 

Big rains back on Feb 5th. How long will it take for local water quality to rebound?

Image above: Feb 21, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Population:

Bellingham 89,045 (2017)

Anacortes 16,953 (2017)

Oak Harbor 23,187 (2017)

Coupeville 1,928 (2017)

Looks like waters adjacent to Bellingham and Anacortes are less impacted by pollution than the waters between Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

We moved to Whidbey several years ago, after living in Jefferson County, where going out and getting a limit of clams was a happy routine/local thing. After arriving on Whidbey, a letter came in the mail from Island County describing the Penn Cove Watershed and the requirement to get home septic systems tested in this sensitive area. This was a chance to learn about the watershed and how to maintain a septic system.

 

WDFW says local beaches are closed to recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.

If the press ever comes close to covering this topic, they will refer to stormwater.

Still haven’t been out to local beaches for clams.

Local people can learn about reducing the impact of stormwater and contribute by being more careful about using chemicals on their lawn, washing the car in the driveway, recycling motor oil, cleaning up after their dog, etc.

When the press ignores sewage treatment plant outfall people are left out on solutions to this problem.

 

I’m thinking of old traditions. Someone buys a fishing license and wants to take the grandkids out to teach them how to bring home a legal limit of clams. Buy a license, know the rules to maintain a sustainable harvest, check the tides and open seasons, and pick a good day.

The shellfish safety map is updated daily. Get up early and check the map to see if shellfish are safe to harvest at your favorite beach. Look for green colors on the map that show safe places for recreational shellfish harvest.

Bad news if you’re seeing brown colors instead of green. Even more bad news if the brown colors remain in place for months, as if this is a routine or ongoing condition.

Not seeing any green colors, even during the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

We are told that stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status:

Image above: Feb 21, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

If we could walk from the north edge of the brown shaded area at Oak Harbor, down to the south edge, how long would it take to get there? That’s a pretty big area.

Better tell the grandkids that today isn’t the day to be getting out there.

Image above:

Another green color day over in Jefferson County

More here:

Site Visit – Captain Thomas Coupe Park

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

 

After my visit to Monroe Landing this morning, I wanted to take a look at Coupeville and see if a similar sign was posted there.

I found the sign below posted near the boat launch at Captain Thomas Coupe Park on 2/18/20.

Questions for today:

Is this a temporary sign? Will it be removed in the days and weeks ahead?

Related:

Monroe Landing – Site Visit

 

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

 

Image above:

This sign was seen posted near the boat ramp on my 2/18/2020 site visit to Monroe Landing.

On occasion, I will go out and take a look at local public access sites. I am not used to seeing any similar sign posted at this location.

Background:

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

We had big rains back on Feb 5th. This may explain the sign I saw today at Monroe Landing.

I will check back in the weeks ahead to see if this sign is removed as local conditions improve.

Let’s take a look at today’s status:

Image above: Feb 18, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

During the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

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

 

Sign at top of page refers to “…a sewage drain pipe.” Not sure if this description is meaning stormwater?

Even during the dry months of the year at Monroe Landing, WDFW tells us that:

“State Dept. of Health cautions that Clams,Oysters and Mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

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

No mention of stormwater.

 

Questions for today:

When the impact of recent big rains has cleared, will the sign at that top of the page be removed?

Will the sign stay in place at Monroe Landing if WDFW continues to warn that:

“State Dept. of Health cautions that Clams,Oysters and Mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”

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

Does the sign at the top of the page refer to a sewage drain pipe that sends stormwater, treated water, or both into Penn Cove?

More here:

Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

 

Big rains back on Feb 5th. How long will it take for local water quality to rebound?

Bad news:

Even during the driest times of the year, things aren’t looking right.

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

 

Not seeing any green colors, even during the dry month of September:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

Newspeople remain silent.

If the press ever comes close to covering this topic, they will refer to stormwater.

WDFW says local beaches are closed to recreational shellfish harvest due to sewage treatment plant outfall.

 

Let’s take a look at today’s another month with an R status:

Image above: Feb 17, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

Green colors show safe places to go and get a legal limit of clams and oysters.

More here:

More Than A Week Since The Big Rains

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

 

 

 

 

Image at top of page:

Another green color day over on Hood Canal

 

Image above: Feb 13, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

 

Love to see updated news reporting on this from newspeople anywhere in the Puget Sound area.

 

More here:

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Ocean Water in Snohomish County?

Stormwater?

 

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

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

 

If you could walk to the Pacific Ocean from Snohomish County, how long would it take to get there?

February 10, 2020 The Herald

Meth, tire rubber among new pollutants found in Puget Sound

Ocean water in Snohomish County is less polluted than other urban sites in Puget Sound, despite over 60 new chemicals scientists tracked in and around Possession Sound — including trace amounts of methamphetamine.”

Fish and wildlife are suffering because of urban pollution,” James said.

Urban pollution? We’ll get back to that.

“Now, the scientists are hoping to find a link between contamination in the Sound and land use, James said.”

One link might be operating sewage treatment facilities that are sending unsafe product into local waters.

 

Island County

It seems understandable that recent rains could cause temporary problems.

Lets take a look back to the driest time of the year, and what was going on away from urban centers, and away from the ocean:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

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 sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?

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

 

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

 

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

 

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs or urban centers on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a pretty big area.

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.

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

More here:

Stormwater?

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?

Proper Geographic Names

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

Photo-

The Pacific Coast at Ruby Beach

 

Image above: Feb 7, 2020

Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map

Zoom in and click on any part of the dark shaded areas to see “Wastewater plant upset.”

Love to see updated news reporting on this.

 

Update:

February 7, 2020 3:17pm South Whidbey Record

Excess rain causes sewage discharges on Whidbey

A manhole cover shot into the air and sewage poured out onto a city street in Oak Harbor Wednesday night. Untreated sewage is being pumped into the city’s harbor because the new treatment plant can’t keep up with a huge increase in the flow.”

“In Central Whidbey, about 25,000 gallons of “fine solids” from a sewage treatment plant spilled into Penn Cove due to flooding.”

“Bridges said rainwater is likely getting into the sewage lines through cross connections between sewer and stormwater pipes — which is a byproduct of days gone by when the two systems were connected — and through cracks in pipes.”

“As Bridges pointed out, Oak Harbor’s treatment plant wasn’t alone in the region when it comes to rainwater trouble.”

“According to a spokesperson for the Department of Ecology, the Penn Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant was flooded by water from an adjacent wetland Wednesday night. The floodwater entered the aerobic digester, which holds fines solids…”

“About 25,000 gallons of the solids were swept into Penn Cove with the floodwater.”

“The Washington State Department of Health closed shellfish harvesting in the area.”

Much of the area was already closed to recreational shellfish harvest, even in the driest months. Been blogging about this for more than a year. Newspeople did not report on it. Past blogs here, here, and here.

 

Back to my original post, here:

Looks like a pretty big area. Seems understandable that recent rains could cause problems.

Lets take a look back to the driest time of the year:

Image above: Washington State Dept. of Health status updated Sept. 20th, 2019.

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?

Local water quality

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.

Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

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

 

Went out to take a look

I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove.

Interesting that the part of the cove farthest from open waters is the part where the water is cleaner.

This sign remains in place even during the driest months of the year:

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?

Looks like a pretty big area.

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.

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

More here:

Stormwater?

 

 

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

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

 

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

The idea is to live in a free and honest society.

The mainstream press can help with this, but they mostly aren’t about asking questions.

 

The press is very good about asking questions and providing thorough reporting whenever a sports story develops:

Dec. 29, 2019 The Seattle Times

Once again, the Seahawks had Marshawn Lynch and the ball at the 1. Once again, their coaches blew it.

Why doesn’t this style of reporting cross over to stories about the US Dept. of Homeland Security, big drug busts, or the Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars?

 

Topics like healthcare, immigration, climate change, impeachment, gun, control, and sports get plenty of coverage.

I tend to be fascinated with topics that are underreported in the news. I wonder why the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers, big city papers, and TV news folks seem to have certain topics they stay away from. These are the issues I like to blog about.

 

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.

In terms of American rights and freedoms-The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.

All time favorite urban legend:

The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.

As if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

The press will avoid questioning this idea. They may even take time to promote it.

Local paper:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

 

Congressman Derek Kilmer tells us:

Wars are for freedom and democracy.

Any newspeople available to ask:

Congressman Kilmer,

If wars are fought for democracy-how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?

Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?

If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms-why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock baninterracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.

As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.

If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

 

Local water quality

Several Island County beaches are closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.

This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.

View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.

One or more sewage treatment plants 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

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

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting. I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove:

 

Is Port Angeles CBP at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 9 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Plenty of questions here:

Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?

March 19, 2014 Sequim Gazette

Agent counters allegations of ‘boredom’

“In March, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Richard Sinks declined to release statistics on apprehensions or detainments made by the Port Angeles station.”

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.

What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?

Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:

“Our #WSP District 8 troopers removed 1,429 impaired drivers from the roads in 2018.”

“Here is a breakdown of what it looks like in each of our 7 counties.”

Elsewhere, when CBP has something to brag about-the public is promptly notified:

Border Patrol K-9 Sniffs out Cocaine Hidden in Dashboard

Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggler on I-8

Border Patrol Agent’s Public Safety Check Turns into Heroin Bust

 

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Local press tells us that the area is drowning in meth:

October 23, 2019, Q13 News video:

‘The Pacific Northwest is drowning in methamphetamine:’ 17 arrested in major drug trafficking operation

 

Still looking like newspeople are forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance:

Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat

Back in 2014:

Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:

Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”

“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”

Questions for newspeople:

Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?

 

Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of West Virginia need services in an unknown overseas location absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?

Dec 26, 2019 WOWK News video:

West Virginia Army National Guard sings “Country Roads” to boost holiday spirit

Related:

Lack of News Reporting Hurts Newspaper Subscriptions?

Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Wars for Freedom?

Military Town – Hometown Pride

US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, CBP social media posts, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth from entering the Puget Sound area:

Drowning in Meth

Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Photo-

The Seal Rock oyster

Check out the water quality over at Seal Rock here.

Compare to various Island County beaches here.

 

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

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.

October 21, 2019 The Pew Trusts

As Local News Outlets Shutter, Rural America Suffers Most

Various stories cry out for news reporting.

The family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks seem to have moved away from asking questions.

Zero questions from newspeople:

Is Port Angeles CBP at all relevant in keeping heroin and meth from entering the Puget Sound area?

US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA

An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin and meth in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 9 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.

Plenty of questions here:

Port Angeles – Post 911 CBP Spending Spree

Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?

Why are Border Patrol arrest statistics secret at Port Angeles?

March 19, 2014 Sequim Gazette

Agent counters allegations of ‘boredom’

“In March, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Richard Sinks declined to release statistics on apprehensions or detainments made by the Port Angeles station.”

“Disclosure of the arrest statistics from the Port Angeles station would provide those interested in crossing our borders illegally with information that could aid their strategic targeting of potentially vulnerable areas along the border,” he said in an e-mail. “To maintain operational security these numbers will not be provided.”

Go and ask the FBI for Chicago bank robbery statistics. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because stats would assist bank robbers if they were shared with the public.

What other law enforcement agencies, anywhere in the US maintain secret arrest statistics?

Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:

“Our #WSP District 8 troopers removed 1,429 impaired drivers from the roads in 2018.”

“Here is a breakdown of what it looks like in each of our 7 counties.”

Elsewhere, when CBP has something to brag about- the public is promptly notified:

Border Patrol K-9 Sniffs out Cocaine Hidden in Dashboard

Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggler on I-8

Border Patrol Agent’s Public Safety Check Turns into Heroin Bust

 

Puget Sound area newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Local press tells us that the area is Drowning in Meth

Welcome Home Troops

Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.

Don’t worry- The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:

Life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein & Osama bin Laden takedowns.

Annual Super Bowl security roll out:

December 3, 2019 CBS4 Miami

Critical Super Bowl 54 Security Meeting Held At Hard Rock Stadium

If special games require special security– what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.

What prevents terror strikes at hundreds of events & locations unsupervised by federal authorities?

Love to see newspeople ask: What stops terrorists from going 2 states over and driving a truck across the playground at a daycare center?

 

Have enhanced background checks for firearms in WA State reduced gun crimes?

WA voters approved enhanced background checks back in 2014:

November 4, 2014 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Washington voters choose gun control; huge majority in Seattle area

 

Washington Universal Background Checks for Gun Purchases, Initiative 594 (2014)

“Furthermore, the initiative rendered it illegal to hand off a firearm to people outside a person’s immediate family, though exceptions were mentioned, including situations in which people are at a shooting range or hunting.”

Looks like frequent gun crimes roll on.

Enhanced background checks approved back in 2014 have had time to take hold.

Any reporting or updates on this?

More here: Guns in Washington State

 

One or more sewage treatment plants 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

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

Stewardship is a priority:

Sign below educates the public on local waters.

Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area

Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting. I saw no warning signs on 5/21/19 at Monroe Landing.

Image below taken on a March 24, 2019 Penn Cove site visit.

WDFW has posted a permanent sign indicating a dark shaded area in the eastern part of Penn Cove:

 

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?

Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat

Back in 2014:

Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:

Federal grant money goes to “…gain a better grasp on cross border activity and to prevent illegal crossings.”

“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”

Has there been any post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey Island?

More here: Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent

 

Any members of the free press available to show up and ask why the people of Louisiana need services in Iraq, absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?

State-run media update:

Aug 1, 2019 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

Plaquemine National Guard unit deploys to Iraq

Defending this nation in Iraq:

“…you chose to be one of the ones that stepped forward, raised your right hand and swore to defend this nation.”

They did show up. As always, no questions were asked:

Jul 31, 2019 KALB

Louisiana-based National Guard unit to deploy to Iraq

 

Local press promotes the idea that wars are for freedom:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

 

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:

 

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

 

 

 

 

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Rent yourself a State Parks buoy at Fort Worden

Voted best consumer value in weekend recreation.