Tour Dates: April 14th, May 19th, September 8th, and October 13th. The Sonoma County Water Agency invites the public to attend a free half day tour of the Russian River water supply system. The tours will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon. Tour participants will visit facilities that divert, pump and treat the water […]
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A Report from the Soil and Water Conservation Society
Dear Interested public: One of the objectives of the growing community with respect to changes to Vineyard and Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance (VESCO) is to satisfy conditions of Reg’l Board’s Irrigated Lands waiver. Although the condition of our impaired water bodies and fisheries are the public’s business, the growers do not want the public […]
Read MoreThe Department of Terroir Security Website
I came across this interesting website–The Department of Terroir Security–that seems to focus on the rampant increase of vineyards/wineries everywhere and the environmental/social impacts. Who are those guys? http://terroirsecurity.com/?p=595 Larry
Read MoreRussian River Biological Opinion Hearing at SC Bd of Supes
Friends: First, I thought you might be interested in this announcement below. Normally at this time of year, the Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of dam releases. Because this has been a dry year so far, they are playing it safe by keeping more water in the reservoirs for the time being. […]
Read MoreCosmetic Chemical Hinders Brain Development in Tadpoles
ScienceDaily (Jan. 10, 2012) — A new study finds that low concentrations of the chemical methylisothiazolinone has subtle but measurable negative effects on the neural development of tadpoles. The chemical is found in some cosmetics, although the study does not provide any evidence that cosmetics are unsafe for humans. Scientists, health officials, and manufacturers already […]
Read MoreWater treatment turns common chemicals toxic, says report
Ben Cubby December 2, 2011 TRACES of common pain-killing drugs are being transformed into toxic forms by waste water treatment plants, a new report from researchers at the University of NSW shows. The study, which used samples from water treatment plants across Sydney and some interstate plants, showed that the organic sludge used to help […]
Read MoreManufacturing Facilities Release Pharmaceuticals to the Environment
In a 2004-2009 study, USGS scientists found that pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities can be a significant source of pharmaceuticals to the environment. Effluents from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that receive discharge from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities (PMFs) had 10 to 1000 times higher concentrations of pharmaceuticals than effluents from 24 WWTPs across the nation that do […]
Read MoreDiscussion on the Latest on Estrogen in Water
To All, Sewage effluent testing has shown high levels of estrogen and other pharmaceuticals that are likely to interfere with the reproductive cycle – and provide larger breasts for guys (as well as slower running and biking capabilities). Sewage sludge has other issues – especially if handled improperly, A way to beat up your sludge […]
Read MoreAction Letter to Protect Our Waterways from Pesticides
To All, Pesticides in our waters, often overlooked, are a significant threat to wildlife and human health. Right now chemical and agribusiness lobbyists are trying to persuade Congress to gut the Clean Water Act and allow unregulated pesticide application. You can help turn back this toxic tide. Industry lobbyists are pushing a radical revision of our […]
Read MoreSummary of Online Stormwater Resources
Summary of Online Stormwater Resources A summary of available online stormwater resources which may be of interest to Citizen Monitors and Watershed Stewards. Agency Programs…BMP’s…Monitoring…Videos…Other… Agency Programs: EPA Stormwater Program Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As […]
Read MoreMeetings and Issues Announcements from NCRWQCB
North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board ANNOUNCEMENTS The next Regional Board meeting will be 11/03/2011 Policy For Implementation of the Water Quality Objective for Temperature Public Comments on the Policy for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration CEQA Scoping Document due November 8, 2011 Citizen’s Guide to Working with the California Water Boards Waiver of Waste Discharge […]
Read MoreJoin Call: Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones: Impacts on Fish and People
CHE Alaska call: Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones: Impacts on Fish and People August 24, 2011 at 9:00 am Alaska / 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern RSVP: To join this free call and receive the dial-up instructions, please RSVP to Alaska Community Action on Toxics atdiana@akaction.org or (907) 222-7714. Description: A one hour discussion […]
Read MoreJoin Call About Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones
Please join us on Wednesday, August 24th for a one hour discussion with environmental biologist Dr. Frances Solomon. Dr. Solomon has more than 25 years of experience in state and local environmental agencies, focusing on the biological impacts of toxic water pollutants, pollution prevention and control, and cleanup of contaminated sites. Join this call to learn more about: […]
Read MoreIn Response to BLM’s Leasing of 2,600 Acres in CA for Fracking
Hi all– I want to note that the rocks in these areas are known to have been petroleum source rocks, but they have never been heavily exploited for oil or gas production. This means that petroleum formed in the rocks but apparently migrated elsewhere, perhaps during recent events of faulting and folding. This means that […]
Read MoreChance to tour the Russian River County Sanitation District August 6
Your chance to tour the Russian River County Sanitation District August 6. See attached. Stephen The Russian River County Sanitation District is hosting a public tour of its wastewater treatment plant on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 10 a.m. to noon. The tour is free and District ratepayers are encouraged to attend. Information presented on […]
Read MoreNews Blackout on Clearing Redwoods for Vineyards
I thought I would share a letter sent to the Press Democrat who blatantly had a story blackout on a crucial issue for Sonoma County–clearcutting hundreds of acres of redwoods to put in more grapes for wine making while the rest of the state and country had the story covered. Shameless. –Larry Dear Editor: Newspapers […]
Read MoreNOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP PROPOSED TOXICITY STUDY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP PROPOSED TOXICITY STUDY Edmund G. Brown Jr. Governor STATEWIDE GENERAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT FOR RESIDUAL PESTICIDE DISCHARGES FROM AQUATIC ANIMAL INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL APPLICATIONS, SPRAY APPLICATIONS, VECTOR CONTROL, AND WEED CONTROL (COLLECTIVELY STATEWIDE GENERAL PESTICIDE PERMITS) Wednesday, June 22, 2011 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Klamath Training Room […]
Read MoreElk River Sediment TMDL – Draft Source Analysis Available
Greetings, This email is to inform you on the status of the Elk River Sediment TMDL being developed by staff of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Regional Water Board staff has released the preliminary review draft of the Elk River TMDL Sediment Source Analysis for the Upper Elk River (Chapter 3 of […]
Read MoreUrgent Action on EPA Stormwater-Send by Monday, May 16
Dear Partners for Clean Water, As partners in a statewide effort to secure protections for polluted waterways, we ask for your help in letting U.S. EPA know that Californians support strong federal leadership on reducing storm water pollution and restoring the health of polluted lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and coastal waters. In November 2010, EPA […]
Read MoreToxic Algae May Add To Estrogen Pollution
Water Pollution: A hazardous cyanobacterium common in lakes turns on estrogen-related genes in fish By Janet Pelley Fertilizer runoff from farms can feed blooms of toxic cyanobacteria, which are deadly to pets and livestock. As if that weren’t enough to worry about, new research suggests for the first time that the blooms also could disrupt […]
Read MoreLong-lasting Chemicals Threaten the Environment and Human Health
ChemEnginNews: Toxic sludge threat of 4000 HPV chemicals — criteria for identifying highest threats Every hour, an enormous quantity and variety of manmade chemicals, having reached the end of their useful lifespan, flood into wastewater treatment plants. These large-scale processing facilities, however, are designed only to remove nutrients, turbidity and oxygen-depleting human waste, and not […]
Read MoreFirst Report on Bioaccumulation and Processing of Antibacterial Ingredient TCC in Fish
ScienceDaily April 1, 2011 In the first report on the uptake and internal processing of triclocarban (TCC) in fish, scientists have reported strong evidence that TCC — an antibacterial ingredient in some soaps and the source of environmental health concerns because of its potential endocrine-disrupting effects — has a “strong” tendency to bioaccumulate in fish. […]
Read MoreWastewater Overflow into the Russian River
Russian River County Sanitation District Wastewater Overflow (Sonoma, CA) — Sonoma County Water Agency work crews responded to a wastewater overflow at the Russian River County Sanitation District’s treatment plant on March 21, 2011. Overflow information: Date: March 21, 2011 Location: Russian River County Sanitation District – Wastewater treatment plant -18400 Neely Road, Vacation Beach […]
Read MoreAction for North Coast Streams Involving Forestry
Interested Parties concerned with impaired status of north coast rivers and streams please note: The Regional Board is proposing suspension of regulations now in place to control pollutant contributions from timber harvest activity on impaired waterbodies in the north coast region. Timber harvest and related activities are responsible for a great percentage of impairment on […]
Read MoreThe TMDLs on the original north coast rivers listed as impaired have finally been completed
In addition to what is said in the main story, I have some additional thoughts and history I would like to present for Coast Action Group. It feels good that 14 years after the consent degree – finally with the adoption of the Klamath TMDL – the Consent Degree schedule has been completed. However, the […]
Read MoreEPA Press Release on TMDLs for North Coast Rivers
Federal regulators Tuesday ordered major reductions in the amount of pollution that pours into the Klamath River, an action that American Indians and environmentalists touted as a milestone in the fight to restore once-thriving salmon runs to Northern California. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a water-quality-improvement plan that would force farmers, foresters and utilities […]
Read MoreKistler Bodega Ranch Winery/Minor Timberland Conversion Zoning Permit
Kistler Bodega Ranch Winery and Minor Timberland Conversion Zoning Permit SCH Number: 2010112021 Document Type: MND – Mitigated Negative Declaration Project Lead Agency: Sonoma County Project Description Request for 1) a Use permit for a new winery with a maximum annual production capacity of 7,500 cases to include a 18,870 square foot production/processing building with […]
Read MoreWasting Our Waterways
Toxic Industrial Pollution and the Unfulfilled Promise of the Clean Water Act October 21, 2009 Over 230 Million Pounds of Toxics Discharged into American Waterways Industrial facilities dumped 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals into America’s waterways, according to a report released today by Environment America: Wasting Our Waterways: Industrial Toxic Pollution and the Unfulfilled […]
Read MoreNew Winery Permit Info Near Raford House, Forestville
Wed. 12/15/10 Season’s Greetings, Hope all are well and enjoying this festive season. Many of you already know that there were no surprises on Dec. 9th, and that the new date was set for: Thursday January 13th, 1:05pm at PRMD. Some new developments include: – Extensive boring, sampling, and testing followed by a 61 page […]
Read More“Gasland” Type Video on Natural Gas Fracking
For those who didn’t see the documentary film, “Gasland”, here is an 11 minute news report on the same subject: http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=5846 Robert
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