Pages

Saturday, January 26, 2008

TAC Memos on Onsites

Calling all Sewer Fans. This email just in:

Two more draft technical memoranda have been released and posted on theProject Website at http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/PW/LOWWP.htm The TM's are on Decentralized Treatment Systems and Onsite TreatmentSystems.These items, and the previously released TM on Low Pressure CollectionSystems will be on the agenda of the next meeting of the project TechnicalAdvisory Committee, scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2008, at 7:00 pm atthe South Bay Community Center in Los Osos.


If you have input or want input or more info, plan to attend the TAC meeting for any updates and questions.


And now for The Department of, “ Oh, Dang, I Wish I Had Written That!”

Patt Morrison is one of the the L.A. Times best columnists. And her January 24th column was absolutely too dead on the mark not to share. The one missing part in this sad tale is this: Why did the American people deliberately choose this death-spiral again? And when offered (again) an opportunity for a serious, disease-stopping, veto-proof Congressional remedy, American voters opted again for the same useless treatment that would guarantee sure death, followed by a swift no-accountability-cover-up, with the national home looted of the silverware and valuable antiques before the first notes of the funeral march could even be heard? And by choice, not a single national Trustee in sight.

A National near-death experience
We’re getting closer to the light – the one at the end of the George Bush tunnel.


One year from this very moment, someone other than George Bush will be sliding behind that antique desk in the Oval Office. In embassies and outposts that fly the Stars and Stripes, photographs of a face other than Bush’s will be going upon the walls.

At long, long last. It is seven years since Bush plopped down behind that desk, seven years when hope and honor and good faith and goodwill died a little for me, for many other heartsick Americans who love this country, and for millions around the world who looked up to this country.

I say “died,” and I mean that. The psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross laid out the basic states of grief and coming to terms with loss. And Kubler-Ross’ five stages track almost perfectly the arc of how we’ve grappled and grieved over the sickening power crusade of the Bush administration gains the nation for these last seven years.

Denial: It can’t be happening. Who could expect that the man who had to win election in court, not at the polls, would instantly, arrogantly go on the attack – wiping out environmental protections unmatched since Teddy Roosevelt, throwing out scores of health and safety and accountability and privacy rules and protections that made life better for typical Americans and making “caveat emptor” the only motto of U.S. business? There must be some mistake, doctor.

Anger: It’s not fair. How dare they? How can they practice retrograde isolationism abroad and rapacious cronyism at home? How can they dishonor 9/11 by exploiting the nation’s fears to justify upending the Constitution and creating a metastasized secret government? Threatening librarians with prosecution? Arresting people wearing anti-Bush T-shirts, thus conflating protest with sedition? Sneaking and peeking on us without warrants – at the same time they’re wrapping the White House in impenetrable secrecy in the name of national security? I went to be at night raging against the outrages – Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Katrina, Blackwater, Terri Schiavo – and woke to fresh ones with the morning’s news.

Bargaining: If they stop now, I’ll make my peace. OK, they have the Supreme Court, and the war they lied to get – maybe that’s enough. Maybe it’s enough that the war will bankrupt our children, justplease don’t let it bankrupt our grandchildren too. He went to war with terrorism, so if he goes to war against global warming and failing levees the way he did against terrorism, I live with a “Clear Skies” initiative that pollutes the air and a “Healthy Forests” initiative that whacks more trees. Promise me it won’thappen again, and I’ll let it go.

Depression: I can’t e en lift my head to pay attention. Saddam Hussein had WME? Sure, fine, yeah. Dick Cheney doesn’t want to submit to a mandatory archive inspection, so he claims he’s not part of the executive branch? Naturally. The administration decides what it wants to do, then makes up its own facts to justify it. Reality, like history, is written by the victors. Take the science out of NASA and the Interior Department and the earth is suddenly in great shape; species are no longer endangered. Declarer “mission accomplished” with 150 dead American soldiers, and five years later, when the numbers are more than 20 times that, observe offhandedly that the U.S. could “easily” be in Iraq another 10 years. Whatever. I’ve pulled the shades.

Acceptance: Ready for whatever comes. Game over, peace out. I thought I was at the acceptance stage, but not yet.

I can’t forget that, in the nation’s name, these men have abused power to defeat the constitutional remedies for abuse of power. They’ve turned every government agency into a hit squad for Bush-Cheney Inc. They’ve despoiled this exquisite, singular planet just to stuff a few more millions into billionaires’ pockets.

Can I hold out for one more year? Can the nation? Will another election save us? Are we suckers to believe that, in the ultimate curative power of that brilliantly conceived human instrument, the Constitution? What other choice do we have? I’m ready for a last-minute miracle cure.

Bring it on.


Patt can be emailed at: patt.morrison@latimes.com

14 comments:

Mark said...

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Low
To: John Waddell
Cc: tom@nowastewater.com ; Dean Benedix P.E. ; pogren@co.slo.ca.us
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:14 PM
Subject: October 29, 2007 RECLAMATOR Submittal to County


Good day John:

As a result of the TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM ONSITE TREATMENT FINAL DRAFT January 2008 attached, I am writing to confirm that you made Carollo Engineers aware of the RECLAMATOR Submittal** I hand delivered to you on October 29, 2007(receipt attached).

Please verify that you promulgated that RECLAMATOR Submittal to Carollo Engineers.

Your prompt reply will be appreciated.

Regards,

Mark Low
www.NOwastewater.com
AES DES

**For example, in response to the submission of information on a proprietary treatment technology by a vendor, the Regional Board recently replied in a letter, dated September 6, 2007: "The Central Coast Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) prohibits all discharges from individual onsite systems. Residents of Los Osos considering your technology should know that using the Reclamator does not relieve anyone of the obligation to comply with the Basin Plan discharge prohibition and does not relieve them of the obligation to comply with the requirement to hook up to a community system when it is available or use some other option with no on-site discharges."

Mark said...

When "water" enters the home is used, then enters the RECLAMATOR that water is completely "contained".
Water that exits the RECLAMATOR is
(n) “Recycled water” means water which, as a result of

treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use

or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is

therefor considered a valuable resource.

CHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS

§ 13050. Definitions

As used in this division:

http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_laws/docs/portercologne.pdf

Mark said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark said...

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Low
To: Patel, Sona - SLO
Cc: TAC_Chair@sbcglobal.net ; Mark Hutchinson ; BGibson@co.slo.ca.us ; tom@nowastewater.com ; Dean Benedix P.E. ; pogren@co.slo.ca.us ; John Waddell
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 7:35 AM
Subject: Lawful Balance & USC 33/26


Good day Sona,

I have a few questions that I thought you and your paper might be able to "shed some light on".

If an engineering company which makes its living designing sewerage can do a rapid final draft of onsite and decentralized, why didn't it do a rapid final draft of sewerage? Where is the balance?

If sewerage is superior why not show us? Isn't that why the county hired an outside consulting engineer? Exfiltration/Infiltration, carbon, environmental and economic footprint to build and operate and Native American burial site disruption are just a few things that need to be addressed. Why not in a "draft" up front like onsite/decentralized?

I can't be the only person who has these thoughts, am I?

Best regards,

Mark

Churadogs said...

Mark, this blogsite's comment section isn't intended to serve as your own personal blogsite. I believe you have a website that people can go to. You're welcome to let readers know you've posted info on your website and send them there if they're interested. And certainly welcome to post comments on my postings, if you wish. But using this as your own personal bulletin board? That's a No-No and if you continue, Mother Calhoun will spank or start dumping your comments. Fair enough?

Mark said...

Fair Enough! I will trust the folks reading what I have posted will be sufficiently "up to speed".

Next week is scheduled to be a busy one for the LOSTDEP RECLAMATOR Solution.

I will act upon your suggestions, I know I have been "pushing the envelope" on Ann's Land.

Thank you for being as patient with me as you have been, Mother Calhoun!...;-)

Mike Green said...

Oh come on Ann, where are we going to find comedy like this:

Good day Sona,

I have a few questions that I thought you and your paper might be able to "shed some light on".

HAHAHAHAHA.

The only way to get light out of the Triv. is to apply a match to it first.

Mark said...

First Amendment Rights are part of what keep us "free". Excercising them with respect is important to the social fabric.

It's Ann's Land and she has been most gracious with her patience of my use of her "soil".

I must be a bit more hard working and create another "place" where letters to government and press can be freely posted without impinging upon someone else's "rights".

Again I want to thank Ann for all her hospitality. With her permission I shall continue to "contribute" without stepping out of line.

Sewertoons AKA Lynette Tornatzky said...

Thank you Ann!

I think a lot of posters have left your site due to the rantings of the Wrecklamator. I know I have almost abandoned ship here because mark is so repetitive and tiresome. I think he is one of those people who just live in a self obsessed bubble, immune to the suggestions of others from whom he might learn how to temper his speech. Using your site as a platform to advertise to your readers as to the wonderfulness of his product was not a good move. I hope he learns something from observing what has happened here and moves on. He appears to be giving the Water Board and the County the same boring barrage as the one he posts here. He is just making matters worse for any future endeavors he might have in places where perhaps the regulatory standards are less stringent.

Mark said...

Sewertoons said...
Thank you Ann!

I think a lot of posters have left your site due to the rantings of the Wrecklamator. I know I have almost abandoned ship here because mark is so repetitive and tiresome. I think he is one of those people who just live in a self obsessed bubble, immune to the suggestions of others from whom he might learn how to temper his speech. Using your site as a platform to advertise to your readers as to the wonderfulness of his product was not a good move. I hope he learns something from observing what has happened here and moves on. He appears to be giving the Water Board and the County the same boring barrage as the one he posts here. He is just making matters worse for any future endeavors he might have in places where perhaps the regulatory standards are less stringent.

9:49 PM, January 27, 2008

Toons: Of course you are entitled to your thoughts and opinions, just not your own facts or law. Civil servants are constrained by facts and law. I appreciate but do not agree with your opinions about "much" of what you offer. When asked to cite law or regulation you use in support of the "beliefs" you hold regarding "sewerage, waste discharge" and CCRWQCB "statements" you are unwilling or unable to do so. Pollution is not a cartoon and demands that citizens, men and women of prudence conduct themselves in an open and accountable manner. Posting letters written to federal, state, county and local civil servants, in support of law, on Ann's Land is my way of promulgating the law, technology and civil rights in a demonstrative, open and accountable manner. Perhaps someone reading them may become inspired to exercise his or her civil rights regarding civil servants, especially because they may be directly affected economically,or not.

How many in Los Osos/Baywood Park knew that USC 33/26(C26) underpins everything waterboard, before reading it here on Ann's Land?

In fact some who I have communicated with in USEPA did not "understand" that C26 underpins everything water related and created USEPA. Take for example this recently posted statement--

" -- because it is sometimes difficult to read the full text of a law in the U.S.C., and because the section numbers you might be familiar with do not correlate with U.S.C. section numbers (e.g., §307 of the Clean Air Act is §7607 in the U.S.C.). The U.S.C. is updated annually, however, and therefore may provide a more current version of the law than the PDF version. " http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html#caa

It is a good thing some of us have "read the full text of a law in the U.S.C."...(I read the entire chapter) Now that civil servants and others are being directed to use US Code instead of "section numbers" some positive environmental changes are now made more easily possible. For instance, federal grant assistance for Best Available Technology and such.

Your thinking that I would "move on" at this point, reveals much about your understanding of all things "waste discharge". My guess is you have never planted a food garden, it appears you have no patience. The LOSTDEP RECLAMATOR Solution is just beginning to get underway. Think sprout here. Be brave, stay strong and wait for signs.

USEPA HQ in D.C. suggested I go local, so I have. Our work in the LOSTDEP will have national consequences. By providing the ultimate water conservation, sewage flow reduction BADCT solution in Los Osos/Baywood Park the folks from other "places" will have somewhere to visit and learn. Imagine the revenue generating opportunities. Think Silicon Valley of Water Reclamation here. What's wrong with that?

All this while following the law, conserving, water, energy, time and money. Why would you or anyone not want to be interested in these things that technology can do?

toons wrote: I think a lot of posters have left your site...

Mark says- Where else would they go? (don't need a legal cite for this one)


It's looney, toons.

Mike Green said...

Open Question to All:

Whatever happened to the bay mud samples that Lois Capps and high officials took on their ballyhooed foray into the mud-flats?

Wasn't it supposed to be analyzed by the gods of muckety-muck?... WTF?

Mark said...

Gteat question Green!

Try Greg Haas, Congresswoman Capps' assistance:
San Luis Obispo
1411 Marsh Street,
Suite 205
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 546-8348
Fax: (805) 546-8368

or you can email him @
Greg.Haas@mail.house.gov

Please be sure to share your reply with the "class"...

Remember, Think "Civil Servant", especially when elected...

Mark said...

toons wrote: I think a lot of posters have left your site...

Mark says- Where else would they go? (don't need a legal cite for this one)

Mark says:http://sewerwatch.blogspot.com/
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13700210&postID=2227937406131410060&isPopup=true

Mark said...

Paso Robles http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/263641.html

Grease blocking a sewer line caused about 750 gallons of raw sewage to spill in the city and flow into the Salinas River on Wednesday afternoon.

Whose grease? With at the source pre-treatment/Tertiary Treatment provided by the RECLAMATOR service each point discharge is "accountable" and pays its own way. No need for city/district or state personnel to clean up/report/investigate, spills ans such. Pipes are not "best" aqnd lead to problems which are avoidable, when law is followed.

Also, no pipe to monitor for leakage/repair/replacement. Think Morro Bay here.

The spill occurred about 3 p.m. when grease accumulated in a sewer line, blocked it and caused sewage to flow out of a sewer manhole and into a storm drain at Fifth and Spring streets.

City crews cleared the blockage and cleaned up the area where the sewage had flowed.

County environmental health officials concluded the spill was unlikely to pose a public health threat because the quantity of the spill was relatively small. The incident has been turned over to state water officials for further investigation.