Daniel Salzler No. 1101 EnviroInsight.org Seven Items May 7, 2021
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Please note that all meetings listed are open.
Enhance your viewing by downloading the pdf file to view photos, etc. The attached is all about improving life in the watershed. If you want to be removed from the distribution list, please let me know. Please note that all meetings listed are open.
Enhance your viewing by downloading the attached pdf file to view photos, etc.
The attached is all about improving life in the watershed.
1. Eating Healthy Or Eating For Disease. Over 92% of Kale Samples Contained Two Or More Pesticides, Study Finds.You may want to put the green juice down for this one.
The leafy green is among ‘dirty dozen’ fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticides.
One of the pesticides commonly found with kale was Dacthal, or DCPA. The pesticide, which is banned in Europe and was classified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible Cancer carcinogen, was found on nearly 60% of the kale samples tested.
Here is the full list of the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables:
- Strawberries 7. Peaches
- Spinach 8. Cherries
- Kale 9. Pears
- Nectarines 10. Tomatoes
- Apples 11. Celery
- Grapes 12. Potatoes
The Environmental Working Group’s ranking is based on an analysis of test data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA personnel test fruits and vegetables for pesticide residues regularly, making sure to replicate how shoppers would consume the product. For instance, if consumers regularly wash and peel a fruit before eating it, the USDA testers will do that before examining the product for pesticides.
Consumers should opt for organic food whenever possible to reduce their exposure to pesticides, experts say. And when that’s not feasible, they should opt instead for fruits and vegetables that are less likely to be contaminated. Organic food is more expensive than conventionally-farmed food, though it’s getting cheaper. Organic kale was 5% more expensive than the conventionally-grown version in January, the Associated Press reported, citing USDA data.
Published: March 27, 2019 at 8:10 a.m. ET By Jacob Passy
2. Composting/ Making Your Own Soil. Be A Part Of The Regenerative Agriculture Movement. Not owning a ranch, a large farm, a large yard, small yard or apartment is no excuse to not be a part of the regenerative soil movement. No till farming and better pasture management and better grazing practices are all a part of it. Plus a whole lot more.
Composting your table scraps (vegetables and fruits) help to trap carbon from the atmosphere and provides nutrition to plants as it rots and enlivens the soil for the plants to take up the added nutrients. For more information, you should read “Kiss The Ground” (order from kissthegroundbook.com or watch the movie on NetFlix at https://www.kisstheground.com with Woody Harrelson.
3. OSHA Refresher. Need to update you OSHA Certificate? Reserve your space for May 15th by calling or emailing Dan. Space is limited . Cost $80. Continental breakfast and lunch is provided. 623-930-8197 or sconflict@aol.com
4. ADEQ Meeting Announcement
UPDATED PUBLIC NOTICE | Preliminary Decision to Issue a Significant Amendment to an APP for the Hermosa Project Property in Santa Cruz County
This updated notice provides an additional 31 days for public comment on the draft permit. All other information remains the same.
Public Notice No. 20-63
Published in: Nogales International on Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 1, the ADEQ Director intends to issue a significant amendment to an Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) to the following applicant:
Facility Name
Hermosa Project Property
Permit Type
Individual Aquifer Protection Permit No. P-512235; LTF: 83040
Permittee
Arizona Minerals Inc.
Location
The facility is located approximately 5 miles south of the Town of Patagonia, Arizona, over groundwater of the Santa Cruz groundwater basin, in Section 32 in Township 22S, Range 16E and in Township 23S, Range 16E ; and un-surveyed Sections 3 and 4, of the Gila and Salt River Baseline and Meridian.
Review Documents
Original Published Public Notice | View/Print >
Updated Published Public Notice with Comment Period Extension | View/Print >
Draft Permit | View >
Draft Executive Summary | View >
You may also review the above documentation in person at the ADEQ Record Center | Learn How >
Public Comment Period
Dates: March 26, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Comments may be submitted as follows:
By Email | Send Email >
By Mail (Must be postmarked or received by May 31, 2021):
ADEQ
Vimal Chauhan, Groundwater Protection1110 W. Washington St., MC5415B-3,Phoenix, AZ 85007
The measure, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021, would put $35 billion toward state water infrastructure programs. It authorizes gradual increases in funding for state water infrastructure systems from fiscal 2022 through 2026, beginning with $2.4 billion and ending with $3.25 billion.
The bill also establishes an operational sustainability program for smaller water systems such as those under the jurisdiction of Native American tribes, and authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2022-2026.
It also creates a separate grant program for large and midsize drinking water systems, with 50 percent of the funding required to go to systems that serve between 10,000 and 100,000 people. The other half must be used for systems serving populations of at least 100,000.
The bill would nearly double funding for grants aimed at removing lead from drinking water, from $60 million to $100 million per year. The Biden administration, as part of its infrastructure plan, has pledged to replace the entirety of the nation’s lead pipes. Lead in drinking water has been linked to brain and neurological damage in children, including in the case of Flint, Mich., which saw its water supply contaminated by lead.
It would also require an Environmental Protection Agency analysis of the history of its fund distribution to disadvantaged and minority communities under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. The agency would be required to analyze possible improvements to the distribution and submit a full report of its findings to Congress. Source: “The Hill”
6. ‘Commit to One Day, Help Keep Ozone Away’ Campaign Kicks Off
PHOENIX– Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is encouraging county residents to help reduce harmful ground-level ozone pollution during the spring and summer months by participating in Maricopa County’s annual Ozone Campaign.
Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from vehicles, gasoline and diesel equipment, industrial and chemical processes, and other everyday activities react to sunlight. Because these emissions react more readily to sunlight, ozone pollution is more prevalent during the spring and summer months.Although some people are more sensitive than others, all county residents can be affected by ground-level ozone pollution, which is harmful to lungs and can trigger asthma. Children are at the greatest risk from ozone because their lungs are still developing, they are most likely to be active outdoors, and they are more likely than adults to have asthma. Adults with asthma or other lung diseases and older adults are also sensitive to ozone.
The current ozone federal heath standard is 70 parts per billion. In 2020, Maricopa County experienced 38 days of ozone high pollution advisory alerts and exceeded the ozone federal health standard 34 times.
“Although Maricopa County has achieved significant improvements in overall air quality over the last decade, including lower ozone levels, the valley still exceeds the EPA’s ozone air quality standards.” Maricopa County Air Quality Director Philip McNeely said. “The hot, sunny days in the spring and summer months are the perfect conditions to create high ozone levels. We can’t control the weather, but we can have a positive impact in improving the quality of the air we breathe through taking simple actions each day to reduce ozone pollution.”
In order to reduce the negative impacts of ground-level ozone pollution on everyone, MCAQD and the Board of Supervisors are urging residents to Commit to One Day and Help Keep Ozone Away.
“I am encouraging everyone to help reduce ground-level ozone by making simple changes at least one day a week. Whether that’s teleworking, taking light rail or the bus, refueling after dark, or riding a bike to work, everyone has a role to play in reducing air pollution and helping to keep our air clean.”
To learn more about MCAQD’s Commit to One Day campaign or to sign up to receive air quality updates by email or text message, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com.
Ozone pollution prevention tips:
- Promote remote. Telework to reduce traffic.
- Drive less. When possible, carpool, van pool or use public transportation.
- Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park your car and go inside.
- Ride your bike or walk to work.
- Refuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
- Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
- Delay painting projects until high pollution advisories or health watches have passed.
7. Desertification Of Mother Earth. Toby Ord, Senior Research Fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University in the U.K. used over 18,000 original Apollo shots, color correcting them to show Earth as it really looks. See below.
