Daniel Salzler No. 1277 EnviroInsight.org Five Items October 25, 2024 —————Feel Free To Pass This Along To Others——————
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1. Environmentalists, State Regulators Grapple With Uncertainty In New Clean Water Act Interpretation KNAU News Talk – Arizona Public Radio | By Melissa Sevigny Published October 14, 2024 at 3:00 AM MST
An analysis from the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund says up to a quarter million wetlands in Arizona may have lost federal clean water protections. environmentalists and state regulators both say there’s a great deal of uncertainty.
A Supreme Court ruling last year, Sackett v. EPA, required that wetlands that have a “continuous surface connection” to federally protected water be covered under the Clean Water Act.
Environmental Defense Fund spokesperson Ben Bryce says it’s unclear which wetlands qualify.
“Not only do we have questions about what rules would apply,” he says, “but also questions about whether any rule would apply at all. It’s tricky, and it puts in a tough spot, especially at a time when water availability is so important.”
Ephemeral waters are especially at risk; they don’t have continuous surface flow but can still absorb floods, purify water and provide wildlife habitat.
Adam Gold of the Environmental Defense Fund says “the big fix” is for Congress to clarify which wetlands are federally protected and which are not, but for now, it’s on states to fill the gap.
“They’re extremely important, they provide a ton of benefits,” he says, “and it’s really hard to get those benefits back if you lose the wetland in the first place.”
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has a list of state-protected waters and is working to clarify the nomination requirements. A department spokesperson says the agency is awaiting clearer guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers on issues like how long water flow needs to last to be considered “permanent.”
“Without guidance on these critical items,” ADEQ said in an email to KNAU, “it is difficult to determine which waters are regulated and which are not, especially when a water may b ephemeral or there is an ephemeral break in an otherwise flowing waterbody.”
Read the study from the Environmental Defense Fund in Science, or learn more about Arizona’s Surface Water Protection Program.
2. What Is The Most Important Element For House Plants?
a. Fertilizer
b. Water
c. Light
d. Proximity to other plants
Answer at the end of the newsletter
3. Upper Agua Fria Watershed Partnership, 10 am MST
October 1, 2024 NOTES
Draft Agenda
1. Introductions and Announcements: Mary Hoadley tried to conduct this meeting from Florida but Hurricane Helene caused WIFI issues so meeting canceled. AZ Metals scheduled th removal of the transmission towers at the same time so James Gregory, Amber Pava, Greg Watts, Tom Thurman, Chris Steuer, Bill Fathauer couldn’t attend. Tim Flood, Ben Serpa, Joanne Oellers, Ann Hutchinson tried to sign in. My apologies. A few notes added below italicized
2. Development updates: Longroad Energy will implement Candela Agua Fria Solar Farm Plan: Yavapai County Development Services: Utility Scale Solar Field Ordinance to be considered again by BOS in November. TA Truck Stop in Cordes Junction; Kathleen Taggett Hicks will attend November 5 meeting with more water and wastewater info. Lakeshore 650. Continuing petition to Prescott Valley
3. Black Canyon City Water Issues: ADOT <improvingi17.com>. Water Sources for Construction; AZ Metals Update: Transmission towers coming down Oct 1. Apologies in the works for the High Desert Park Spring incident. Bob Cothern in contact with President of the organization who says apology will be made.
4. Wildlife Connectivity: reflections on Central Arizona Wildlife Alliance presentation; Include I 17 Agua Fria crossing improvement for wildlife connectivity in next 5 year ADOT plan? Nicole Underwood at ADOT advising best way to proceed.
5. FAFNM – Wet/Dry data work with Max Miller; Science Plan, 25th Anniversary April 2025, Greg W suggested inviting Babbitt and Clinton. Mary Hoadley contacted Bruce Babbitt at Verde River Conference who expressed interest in attending if available. On line annual meeting on Sept 24: 12 attendees; Connie Stone elected Board Member at Large, Mary Hoadley, Treasurer; Linn Williams tentatively Board Member at Large; Many upcoming events available on FAFNM webpage.
6. Black Canyon Heritage Park: Ann Hutchinson: ASU: PotentialWater SIMmersive Rural Water project in BCC, first meeting at Canon Historical Museum, 8:30 October 29, 2024 and on line (contact Ann Hutchinson if interested <[email protected]>. 9/28 Volunteer Work for Public Lands Day.
7. Protect Arizona’s Waters MH – NWF, AWF, Audubon, Nature Conservancy; How to restore protections lost by Sackett decision; AZ Surface Water Protection Plan; we should review ADEQ Surface Water Protection Program Protected List to see if more UAF sections should b included. Hopefully ADEQ Representative Jonathan Quinsey to November 5, 2024 meeting. Science June 28 article says 55% of water to navigable streams comes from intermittent and ephemeral streams.
8. Other Organizations: CALT update: Date Creek Ranch and 2 small Verde Valley CE’s celebrated; Verde River Conference recap: Bruce Babbitt inspiring, great history of Verde Valley progress in River and Groundwater Protection; interested in Agua Fria.Verde Watershed Restoration Projects; Water quality monitoring with drones, Meghan Smart new ADEQ Program: AZ Community Science Alliance we should explore. <www.azdeq.gov/science alliance>. Tim Peterson, AZ Grass-fed Beef, innovative beef and ag tactics, agave and mesquite beans for fattening, Boulder Creek ranch on Agua Fria. ADEQ: Clay Mansfield TMDL Update: review of contractor TMDL calculation process accepted by ADEQ with concentration based approach (usable in intermittent streams) and load duration approach. Waiting for EPA approval; Feb 2025 Data Analysis expected.ADWR: UAF Basin Study due December 1.
9. Organizational efforts: Max Miller Green Ribbon Intern: Progress Report.: Research completed and turned in. Next Steps? Articles? Mailing? 2025 Wet/Dry? October 21, 2024 MH to meet with Christian Fauser about continued fundraising for Green Ribbon and support for renewed AZ Rural Watershed Initiative. Maricopa Water District: Still waiting on response.
November 5, 2024 meeting on line: TA Traffic Stop; AZ Surface Water Protection Program
4. Halloween Is Near. How To Be Ready. Next Friday is Halloween and to keep our children safe and happy and our pumpkins as fresh as can be, it might be helpful to understand the origins of this pagan holiday.
Background
Halloween’s origins date back more than 2,000 years. On what we consider November 1, Europe’s Celtic peoples celebrated their New Year’s Day, called Samhain (SAH-win).
On Samhain eve—what we know as Halloween—spirits were thought to walk the Earth as they traveled to the afterlife. Fairies, demons, and other creatures were also said to be abroad. In addition to sacrificing animals to the gods and gathering around bonfires, Celts often wore costumes—probably animal skins—to confuse spirits, perhaps to avoid being possessed, according to the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress. By wearing masks or blackening their faces, Celts are also thought to have impersonated dead ancestors.
Young men may have dressed as women and vice versa, marking a temporary breakdown of normal social divisions.
In an early form of trick-or-treating, Celts costumed as spirits are believed to have gone from house to house engaging in silly acts in exchange for food and drink—a practice inspired perhaps by an earlier custom of leaving food and drink outdoors as offerings to supernatural beings.
Christian Influence on Halloween
Samhain was later transformed as Christian leaders co-opted pagan holidays. In the seventh century Pope Boniface IV decreed November 1 All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day.
The night before Samhain continued to be observed with bonfires, costumes, and parades, though under a new name: All Hallows’ Eve—later “Halloween.”
Halloween Arrives in America
European immigrants brought Halloween to the United States, and the celebration really gathered steam in the 1800s, when Irish-American immigration exploded. Source: https:// www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/101029-halloween-costumes-ideas-history-science nation#:~:text=Halloween%27s%20origins%20date%20back%20more%20than%202%2C000%20years.,other%20c reatures%20were%20also%20said%20to%20be%20abroad.
Carving Your Pumpkin To Make It Last
Let It Dry
When cleaning out your pumpkin, make sure that the inside is completely free of guts. Before taking carving tools to your pumpkin, let the cavity dry out; moisture inside the pumpkin, paired with more air exposure from cuts, will lead to faster rot.
To slow down the pumpkin deterioration process, mix one part bleach to 10 parts water. Spray the interior of the pumpkin with the bleach mixture, once the “guts” have been cleaned out – don’t saturate.
Leave the Stem Alone
Cutting a hole in the top of your pumpkin (where the stem is) to empty its cavity may seem like the natural way to do it. However, cutting the stem off is actually unhealthy for the pumpkin— the stem serves as the pumpkin’s lifeline, still delivering nutrients to the rest of the pumpkin (even off the vine!). Instead of cutting an opening around the top, cut one on the side or back of the pumpkin. That way, the stem stays attached. You’ll find everything you need in a basic pumpkin carving kit.
The first tip for prolonging the life of your pumpkins is to keep your hands off them. The oils from your fingers can speed up the rotting process, so try to touch your fruit only when you select it, unload it from your car, and clean it.
When you do handle your pumpkin, be gentle. Handling a pumpkin aggressively can lead to bruises or unwanted cuts from fingernail snags. Grab the fruit gently around the middle instead of gripping the stem.
As A Last Resort, Use A candle For A Light
If you plant to cook down your pumpkin the day after Halloween, using a candle works well. But, if you want it to keep it from rotting for days after, use a battery operated light, a regular candle will dry out the pumpkin and promote rot.
For pumpkin stenciling ideas, go to https://www.bhg.com/halloween/pumpkin-carving/ halloween-pumpkin-stencils/
To Make Pumpkin Pie From Your Halloween Pumpkin
Cut the pumpkin into 2 to 3 inch chunks.
Rinse with warm water to purge any remaining bleach residue. Drain.
Place in a pot with water. Heat to a boil. When slightly soft, remove the pumpkin from the pot. Use a knife to remove the skin. Return to pot and bring the water to a rolling until soft.
Drain excess liquid from the pan.
Using a potato masher and/or electric beater or emulsifier, reduce the pumpkin to a puree. Follow the appropriate measure as described below:
1- 1/2 c canned pumpkin
3/4 c sugar
1- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 slightly beaten eggs
1 1/4 c milk
1- 6 oz. can (2/3 c) evaporated milk
2- 9 inch unbaked pastry shells (pie crusts)
Combine pumpkin, sugar and spices. Blend in milk and
evaporated milk. Pour into pastry shells. Have edges
crimped high because of the generous filling. Bake in hot
oven (400 degrees) 50 minutes or until knife inserted
halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool
Source: Editor
5. Why 7 Animals Became Associated With Halloween. These beasts aren’t actually that scary. By Anne Taylor Sept 10, 2024 “Mental Floss” Halloween is packed with spooky charm—it’s the season where mythical beings like vampires, werewolves, and ghosts reign supreme. It’s also a fairly animal-centric time of year, as several real (and often misunderstood) creatures have come to symbolize the holiday. Here’s how black cats, bats, owls, and more became linked to Halloween.
Black Cats
Black cats are probably the most iconic Halloween animal. The superstition that these dark creatures bring bad luck dates back to Greek mythology, where they were associated with Hecate, the goddess of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery. By the time the Middle Ages rolled around, black cats were commonly linked to Satan and witches—so much so that a 13th century
church decree was put out labeling them as demonic incarnations of the devil.
This superstition spread to the New World with Puritan colonists and was compounded by the erroneous belief that killing cats could curb the Bubonic plague. These days, black cats are more often seen as spooky Halloween mascots or even lucky charms, depending on who you ask.
Bats
Bats are another animal deeply tied to Halloween. The main reason may simply have to do with how bats look and behave, as these nocturnal animals can be quite startling at first glance. Their association with spooky season may have started with the Celtic festival Samhain, where large bonfires attracted insects, which in turn attracted bats; these were thought to be spirits disturbed by the fires.
Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula cemented their sinister reputation by portraying them as vampires, although real vampire bats feed on the blood of other animals (human bites are rare) and don’t turn them into the undead in the process.
Spiders
Spiders have a deeper connection to Halloween than just being creepy crawlies—although their appearance is certainly a factor. Spiders and spiderwebs are often associated with dark places, old buildings, and other spooky locations. You’re also more likely to see spiderwebs in the fall months; it’s the time of the year many start mating, which means the arachnids may be more visible throughout September and October. And though their silky creations do make great Halloween decor, make sure you don’t try to recreate their handiwork with artificial spider webs, as those can be dangerous for wildlife.
Owls
Owls can partially thank their large eyes, haunting hoos, and nocturnal behavior for their association with Halloween. But their association with the holiday is based on more than just appearances. Like many of the animals on this list, the birds been linked to witchcraft and the supernatural throughout history although people have been conflicted about their reputation. In Greek mythology, owls served as the symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, while ancient Romans believed the animals could predict someone’s imminent death. Many Native American cultures believe the raptors have a correlation to death and the afterlife, further cementing their status as otherworldly beasts.
Toads
Halloween is packed with spooky charm—it’s the season where mythical beings like vampires, werewolves, and ghosts reign supreme. It’s also a fairly animal-centric time of year, as several real (and often misunderstood) creatures have come to symbolize the holiday. Here’s how black cats, bats, owls, and more became linked to Halloween.
Crows
If you’ve ever seen a group of crows—called a “murder”—circling around the carcass of a dead animal, you understand why they’re associated with Halloween. The birds will eat anything from berries to live snakes, but they’re also scavengers and will often feed on roadkill and garbage. While they may have a worse public image than they deserve (crows are considered one of the most intelligent animals on the planet), there’s no denying they have a foreboding presence. And it certainly doesn’t help that people often confuse them with ravens, another corvid with an eerie reputation.
Rats
Rats—another remarkably intelligent animal—have long been associated with disease and decay. This may be largely due to their role in spreading the Black Death in the 14th century. Although it was technically the fleas on the rats that carried the disease, the rodents became sort of a scapegoat during this period of history; many have considered them to be disease-ridden ever since. Even today, while you can purchase rats in most pet stores, plenty of people consider them too creepy to live in their homes. (For the record, they can be excellent pets for those who can give them the care and attention they deserve.)
Answer to No 2. c. Light. You should first assess the light in your home before purchasing a houseplant. Light functions as food (Photosynthesis) to plants, more so than fertilizer and even water. Determine what directions your windows face and if there are any obstructions from buildings or trees blocking the light that would affect your houseplant’s growth. Source: NY Times
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