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–>http://chezsven.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-letter-to-editor-published-by-cape.html
Alexandra Grabbe runs a bed and breakfast and says the yellow and blue colors of her husband’s native Swedish flag combine to make green. Sen. Kerry replied that he would pass her letter along to NSTAR.
–>Christine Van Hooft’s letter published in the Dennis Planners Blog
Christine, I will post this on the Dennis Planning Department blog with the following introduction: [Dennis Town Hall is within sight of the NSTAR poles!]
I was asked (along with my colleagues on the Cape) to pass the following along for consideration. I do that, without passing judgment either way. Read what is provided below, do your own research on the issue, and make your own decisions.
It is an important hot topic issue, but one that I have not had any comments on yet here in Dennis.
Daniel J. Fortier, AICP
Town Planner
Town of Dennis
P.O. Box 2060
South Dennis MA 02660
email:dfortier@town.dennis.ma.us
phone: 508-760-6119
fax: 508-394-8309
Have you seen the Dennis Planning Department Blogs? Go to:
http://dennismaplanningdept.wordpress.com/
http://dennismalocalcomprehensiveplan.wordpress.com/
http://dennismaeconomicdevelopment.wordpress.com/
http://dennismaopenspaceandrecreationplan.wordpress.com/
from Christine van Hooft:
Thank you for taking the time to review this URGENT and time sensitive issue:
State legislators to review NStar’s herbicide use | CapeCodOnline.com
The residents of Cape Cod live on top of our only water supply. Residents and our town officials are well aware of our nitrogen loading problem here in our own water supply as well as Cape Cod having some of the highest cancer rates in the state. If town officials and residents took a new tact, we would begin healing Cape Cod. How? It’s all about our soil.
The Earth is encompassed in a living, breathing skin that we refer to as Soil. The USDA and others refer to Soil as “The Soil Food Web” yet Soil does so much more than provide food security. Soil’s top six inches of is responsible not only for feeding humanity but also filtering water, retaining carbon (thus reducing global warming), and maintaining a rich living biodiversity that supports other wildlife and creatures.
“Cides” in latin means “to cause death”. “Bio” means “life”. Everytime pesticides, herbicides, fungicides are applied to the living, breathing organism, Soil, her biodiversity (the ability to support life) and the environment is “killed off”. Soil’s ability to retain carbon, thus resulting in fewer greenhouses gases is “killed off”. Soil’s ability to filter water is “killed off” and the runoff seeps into the water table resulting in nitrous oxide which also adds to global warming. This nitrous oxide also kills off biodiversity in our oceans having created over 400 dead zones in our oceans worldwide. These “cides” don?t stay put where they are applied. They also drift and vaporize in addition to seeping into the water table. Right now the EPA is considering new laws requiring buffer zones in agricultural areas to protect children from “cides” drift because these “cides” have shown up in our nation’s schoolyards and homes in agricultural areas.
The root systems of crops grown in Soil that has been treated with “cides” are not as healthy as those grown in organic Soil. Therefore the immune system of these plants are compromised so they attract predators/pests because in Mother Nature predators feed on the weakest plants. More “cides” must then be applied to Soil to kill of these pests. Additionally, more chemical fertilizers need to be applied to help the plant “sustain life” in dying Soil and the plants roots drink in only about 20% of those fertilizers while the rest run off to the water supply.
Presently, there are over 80,000 chemicals licensed for use in the United States. The FDA and USDA do NO independent testing on safety to humans before licensing these individual chemicals for use. These agencies also do no independent testing of combinations of chemicals and their effect on health and the environment whether these “chemical cocktails” are in our food (as additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, etc.) or in our environment (chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides). The FDA and USDA only require the safety reports issued by the “for profit” chemical manufacturing companies for licensing purposes. A report may be done on the safety of one chemical in parts per thousands, but where are the safety reports of combining these chemicals into “chemical cocktails”, their interaction and the safety in parts per thousands? They don’t exist. For example: Roundup is manufactured by Monsanto. Their policy is: “Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is FDA’s job.” ~ Phil Angell, Director of Communications at Monsanto (quoted in 1998) Where is the accountability to humans and the environment? Where does the buck really stop?
NSTAR is proposing a new path of treating their Rights-of-Way Management using a chemical cocktail treatment instead of their former practices of selective cutting and mowing. Switching to short-term, short-sighted methods of continuing to apply this chemical cocktail of herbicides that will kill off Soil’s beneficial and living micro-organisms, mycillium, etc is not responsible land management. I attended the NSTAR Eastham public meeting last year and the meeting with GreenCape/NSTAR/ and The Cape Cod Commision last week. Listening to NSTAR representatives ration why “cides” are good and safe for Cape Waterways and not harmful to our environment” was like listening to a political pundit making the case for their candidate regardless of the facts. Even if NSTAR representatives said they put this proposed chemical cocktail in all of their staff?s water coolers, I would not be convinced of its safety. Additionally, there are disconcerting discrepancies on NSTAR’s mapping of wells versus the CCC’s maps. Banning the NSTAR’s use of “cides” for their Rights-of-Way Management is an important step to prevent further contamination Cape Cod’s environment and water supply. I understand that current laws forbid the banning of pesticide/herbicide use unless it is in a “sensitive area”. What is more sensitive than access to clean water from our sole source aquifer and healthy Soil to grow our food crops, sequester carbon to reduce global warming and protecting the only filter for our water supply as well as protecting biodiversity for wildlife and other habitat?
We have a responsibility to clean up Cape Cod’s water supply and our environment. We have a responsibility to be stewards of Soil so she can continue to provide for our kids and their grandchildren. To quote Maya Angelou, “When we know better, we do better”. Now you know better. Let?s all come up higher to protect and restore Cape Cod?s most precious and sensitive resource: Soil!
I, respectfully, request that you share this information with your colleagues so we can jointly embark on a positive path that will affect real change! Thank you for all that you do for the town residents and the community of Cape Cod!
Sincerely,
Christine Van Hooft
Additional references for your review are:
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html
DVD “Dirt” the Movie
1. Jared on the radio–attend the show. LIsten and react!
We now have a live hour WOMR (Provincetown)show scheduled for Sunday
February 28 at 11:25, on the air at noon, and a WQRC (Hyannis) pretaped show
tentatively scheduled for Friday February 26 between 9:30 and noon, to be
aired on a Sunday during the following weeks. Please let me know asap who
can come. I’ll confirm for WQRC as soon as I hear word.
Thanks to all for your efforts!
jaredatthecape@yahoo.com
JaredCollins .com
text/call 508.246.5791
tinyurl.com/ForThoseConcerned
2. Answer the poll question at wickedlocal.com/harwich
Should towns have the final say whether or not herbicides and pesticides are used in the community, and how they are applied?
The poll is 3/4 of the way down the home page on the right side.
3. Harwich residents–watch for news of the public hearing, attend and speak!
4. Tell 10 friends about the NStar plan and have them tell 10 friends, and so on. Give them GreenCAPE factsheets–download from www.greencape.org/actions.html
“NStar Herbicide Proposal Surprises Orleans Officials”
Published 2/12/2010 in the Cape Codder: http://bit.ly/bqJU9T
Please pass it on!
The campaign with NSTAR is moving ahead –-finally. Attached is our response – long and short- to the NSTAR Plan to Herbicide Cape Cod.
Download the short version — can serve as a flyer (2 sides).
Download the long version — includes additional material and references.
PLEASE CALL NSTAR THIS WEEK (contact number in fact sheets) and request a non-toxic vegetation management plan for all of Cape Cod. Upcoming meetings with NSTAR will be more successful when they hear from loads of Cape citizens demanding safer, more sustainable rights-of-way management. Let your town officials and representatives know how you feel, too.
Only YOU can write the end of this story by getting actively involved in your town to make it happen. For more info, contact us at info@GreenCAPE.org.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/a091210a.htm
Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the exposure of the U.S. population to chemicals in our environment. CDC has measured 212 chemicals in people’s blood or urine-75 of which have never before been measured in the U.S. population. The new chemicals include acrylamide, arsenic, environmental phenols, including bisphenol A and triclosan, and perchlorate.
Executive Summary can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport
Report Overview
The Fourth Report is the most extensive assessment to date of the exposure of Americans to environmental chemicals. Chemicals in the Fourth Report include metals such as lead, cadmium, uranium, mercury, and speciated forms of arsenic; environmental phenols such as bisphenol-A (BPA); acrylamide; perfluorinated chemicals; polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); volatile organic compounds such as benzene, styrene and methyl tert-butyl ether; pesticides; phthalates; and dioxins, furans and related chemicals.
The data analyzed in the Fourth Report are based on blood and urine samples that were collected from approximately 2400 people who participated in CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 through 2004. NHANES is an ongoing national health survey of the non-institutionalized U.S. population that includes collecting and analyzing blood and urine samples to help further research involving exposures and health effects.
The types of exposure information found in the report can help physicians and public health officials determine whether people have been exposed to higher environmental chemicals as well as help scientists plan and conduct research about health effects. Much of the information has been previously published, but this is the first publication of all the data in one place. The report does not provide new health effects information. Research separate from that compiled in the Fourth Report is needed to determine whether higher levels of environmental chemicals in blood or urine are related to health effects.
By now you should have already received your post card invitation for our annual meeting. Next year it is likely we will transition to a strictly electronic method of communication so we can use any membership money for programs, materials, and speakers. We already have several programs in various stages of planning. Of course, there’s the NSTAR issue, too….. Updates on this at the meeting.
RE: Membership!!! As our computer crashed this spring and we were having tooooo much fun retrieving info from the old computer, we were not in a position to make our yearly request for membership so we extended everyone’s membership for 6 months- free!!! We are offering yet another bargain–If you rejoin at or before our annual meeting on Nov.19th, 2009, your membership will be extended until May 2011. This “two-fer” is a one time only offer that will expire Nov.19 and will also apply to those who have already paid (thank you!) without a reminder.
Anyone who can bring a goodie for the refreshment table, please RSVP at least by Nov.12 so we can have a clue about refreshments. Please join us on Nov.19th!
YOU are Invited to Attend GreenCAPE’s 2009 Annual Autumnal Gathering!
Thursday November 19th at 6:00 PM at the Whelden Memorial Library
2401 Meetinghouse Way/Rte 149-W.Barnstable, MA (Exit 5)
Join us for Refreshments, Election of Officers, Updates & Film* We will be co-meeting with the Cape Cod Organic Gardeners-7PM.
*Homegrown Revolution –An urban homesteader in Pasadena,
CA produces 10,000 pounds! of organic fruits, vegetables, edible flowers and herbs farming on 1/10 of an acre! A discussion of methods to increase yield and extend the garden season including examples of Cape intensive gardening with raised bed construction, vertical and container gardening will follow the film.
Please Join Us in celebrating the accomplishments of the past year.
Free! Everyone Invited–Bring a Friend
http://www.capecodchronicle.com/editorial/opinion_101509.htm
Cape Cod Chronicle editorial: Inform Residents Of Water Problems
The town of Chatham had no legal obligation to inform residents that 11 of the 63 water samples taken throughout the public water supply system in September indicated the presence of coliform bacteria. No legal obligation, maybe, but a moral one, definitely.
There was apparently no health threat — no need to boil water — and the coliform readings disappeared after one of the water storage tanks was chlorinated and the system was flushed. Residents, however, deserved to be informed of the results of the test, and told that additional chlorine was being pumped into their drinking water.
While chlorination is an effective way to disinfect drinking water, it can also form toxins called trihalomethanes (THMs), which have been linked to health problems including asthma, heart disease and bladder cancer. Studies have also linked “moderate to heavy” consumption of chlorinated water to higher rates of miscarriage and birth defects. These are no doubt at the extreme “fear” end of the concerns about chlorine; at the other, less dramatic end is the terrible taste high chlorination gives to the water, as well as its drying out effect on the skin. It is, after all, a chemical. When you get out of a public pool, with its distinctive odor of chlorine, you’re advised to shower. Seems logical to expect to be advised when the levels of chlorine in your drinking water are increased.
We understand that under the conditions experienced in Chatham last month, neither the state nor the federal governments require immediate notification of water users. The only requirement was publication of a notice, which appears in this week’s paper, and notation of the incident in the water department’s annual water quality report.
Yet the town has inexpensive and effective ways to inform residents that contamination has been found in the water system and additional chlorine is going to be added to drinking water. A notice could be posted prominently on the town’s website, and telephone calls can be made using the town’s automatic emergency notification system.
It seems as if coliform bacteria is detected in town’s water system a few times a year, usually when the weather changes and the biofilm that builds up inside water mains drops off. Officials should adopt a policy of immediately informing the 90 percent of residents on town water when contaminated samples exceed the state standard of 5 percent of those taken in a given month, and when chlorine is added to the system. That would arm residents who have concerns about chlorine, either for health or aesthetic reasons, with the knowledge they need to take effective action. It’s simple, it’s easy, and next time, we expect it will be done.
More about trihalomethanes from Wilkes University http://www.water-research.net/trihalomethanes.htm
Please help our partners at Clean Water to get more funding.(see below)
Clean Water has been our GreenCAPE partner and mentor from the very beginning when they scooped up Sandra Steingraber to speak at our first conference. They took the time to help us get our first grant when other enviro groups on the Cape wouldn’t acknowledge the pesticide issue except to say that it wasn’t on their agenda. Really.
Clean Water/Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow = the best!
Please click the link below and vote “environmental protection” as many
times as you feel inspired to. CWA will get grant money because 2 GreenCAPE members represented us and CWA at the Bonnie Raitt/Taj Mahal concert on the Cape, but the amount is still to be determined, depending on the results of the voting, which ends October 31st. No registration, just VOTE! It’s a weird system, but hey.
http://www.bontaj.com/charity-on-tour.aspx
Is NSTAR reading the news???
http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/63009612.html
Children’s diseases linked to chemicals on rise, professor says
By Mark Johnson of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Posted: Oct. 1, 2009
Chronic childhood diseases linked to exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment have been surging upward, costing the U.S. almost $55 billion a year.
That was the opening message 150 scientists and doctors heard Wednesday at a daylong symposium on children’s environmental health at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Philip J. Landrigan, professor and chairman of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, outlined the challenges facing those working to combat the rise ofbirth defects, asthma, neuro-developmental disorders and other major diseases of children in the United States and other industrial nations.
“The environment is a powerful determinant of human health, and there’s no group more vulnerable or susceptible to adverse influences in the environment than kids,” Landrigan said, explaining that children experience greater exposure to chemicals pound-for-pound than adults.
He said there are 3,000 high-volume chemicals used today; for roughly half, there is no basic toxicity information publicly available.
For the past six to eight years, national surveys have found these chemicals present in our blood and urine, he said.
“They’re routinely finding a whole suite of chemicals in everybody. Some smaller surveys done by Environmental Working Group and others have documented pretty much the same chemicals quite routinely in maternal breast milk and in the cord blood of newborns.”
Asthma, he said, results from a range of environmental factors, including tobacco smoke, pesticides, mold and cockroach droppings. Cancer in children has been linked to exposure to radiation, solvents, paints and pesticides.
Landrigan proposed a number of possible solutions to address these illnesses, including better testing of chemicals for toxicity, better tracking of diseases in children, more research and better training of health care providers.
Landrigan was in Milwaukee for a three-day conference sponsored by the Children’s Environmental Health Sciences Core Center, which is based at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Other talks during the symposium highlighted research into the neurological effects of methylmercury in the fish consumed by Native Americans, links between exposure to solvents and congenital heart disease in Wisconsin, and the impact of exposure to trichloroethylene on the hearts of birds.
Please e-mail the EPA and get rid of this known carcinogen from our food chain! The United Farm Workers of California are trying to get the EPA to finally ban it.
Methyl iodide is so toxic and carcinogenic that scientists who use tiny amounts in the lab are required to take major precautions in order to avoid exposure. Obviously, if used as a fumigant much greater amounts would be released. The pesticide could contaminate groundwater as well as putting farm workers and nearby communities at serious risk as the invisible chemical moves with the wind.
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/mi1009
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