c: 33
Lake Whatcom Reservoir: Things that Lower the Water Quality
In no specific order, here is the beginning of a list of the problems and concerns which affect the health and safety of nature and people in and around any water body, but especially the Lake Whatcom Reservoir, the sole source of drinking water for over 85,000 people and the sole survival environment for all aquatic creatures who live in that water or depend on it.
To the degree that you care, then pick at least one item, inform yourself about it, and take action to eliminate or reduce the harm derived from that problem.
- inaction in establishing "receiving-areas" for the transfer of development rights from the Lake Whatcom Reservoir watershed to less-critical areas;
- subdivision and building projects which are sub-standard for water quality protection, even if technically accepted under current rules, like the whole Sudden Valley project of the 1960's;
- particles of brake linings;
- drippings of anti-freeze;
- drippings of engine-oil;
- drippings of transmission fluid;
- drippings of brake-fluid;
- drippings of battery acid;
- residue of rubber from tires;
- fuel spilled while filling tanks;
- fertilizer applied to watershed properties;
- pesticides applied to watershed properties;
- fertilizer, pesticides and other chemical residue in discarded containers, especially along creeks;
- leaking or failed septic systems;
- overflows of sanitary sewerage pipelines and pump stations;
- infiltration of storm-water / ground water into sanitary sewerage pipelines;
- illegal pumping of basements and other sumps into sanitary sewerage pipelines;
- connections of roof-gutters to sanitary sewerage pipelines;
- leaking of sanitary sewerage pipelines into the groundwater;
- trash and junk left in roadside ditches and creeks;
- pet dogs' droppings;
- goose droppings;
- active, illegal, dumpsites within the watershed;
- abandoned dumpsites within the watershed;
- improperly designed storm-water treatment facilities;
- improperly maintained storm-water treatment facilities;
- mud and sediment generated by open soil surfaces at road construction;
- mud and sediment generated by open soil surfaces at building-site construction ;
- mud and sediment generated by open soil surfaces at logging road construction;
- mud and sediment generated by open soil surfaces at logging projects;
- impact of mining activities;
- impact of abandoned mines;
- powerboats in the water;
- toxic oils (PCB's, etc) in electrical transformers;
- toxic components of treated wood, especially pilings and planking of docks and decks;
- toxic or harmful residue in the sediments in lake beaches;
- toxic or harmful residue in the sediments on the lake bottom;
- deposition of harmful chemicals from the air, dust or precipitation;
the corporate culture which prizes immediate bottom-line profits over lasting benefits;
fear-based politics which chooses to not act because action might result in a lawsuit;
financial speculation on land development within the watershed;
There's surely more ....add your item to this beginning list! And then WRITE and ACT!
How to contact Whatcom and Bellingham elected officials, and the Bellingham Herald:
http://PeopleForLakeWhatcom.org/action/