Submitted to Shelton Blog by Dick and Jo Curtis
We wanted to share with the readers of the Shelton Blog our thoughts on how the ADAGE and Simpson/Solomon Incinerators will IMPACT our precious, but now at risk, bodies of water. Please join us in writing Ms. Swanson.
Ms. Loretta Swanson
Mason County Storm Water Task Force
100 W. Public Works Dr.
Shelton, WA 98584
LorettaS@co.mason.wa.us
Dear Ms. Swanson,
My wife and I must extend our personal apologies to you for not being able to attend your very important Open House Meeting last week. We feel that the issues of storm water contamination, beyond the currency, are extremely critical to bring to your attention.
First, everyone involved with water contamination must be aware of the added factors generated by two (2) new and massive generators of potential pollution to our storm water, and, hence, to our bodies of water. Two companies, ADAGE and Simpson/Solomon, are planning on constructing two (2) Biomass Incineration plants which will, collectively, consume over 1,000,000 (yes, one million) tons of forest biomass annually. That’s 2,000,000,000 pounds!
Second, the details of how this will (may) effect the contamination of Mason County bodies of water, albeit fresh or salt water, are presented below.
1. The removal of a high percentage of the forest under story (slash) will allow for potential increase of storm overflow/erosion which will quite possibly result in pollution of the wetlands, ponds, lakes, rivers and the Puget Sound.
2. The high volume of large semi-truck trips – some 300+ daily trips for ADAGE, 150+ daily trips for Simpson/Solomon; 20+ daily trips for ash removal, and some 30+ daily fuel, chemical and supply trips totalling approximately 500 large truck trips daily. This volume of diesel truck traffic on our local and city roads will add a major collective pollution factor to our waters.
- Truck tire residue on our roadways will run-off with the rain into our storm ditches and be carried onward to our rivers, lakes, ponds and eventually into the Puget Sound.
- Spilled ash will run off with the rain into our storm ditches and be carried onward.
- Diesel “black soot” will run-off with the rains.
- Fuel and chemical spillages or leakages will run-off with the rains.
- Air pollution fallout, which will increase significantly from present day levels due to the 500+ daily truck trips, will land on our bodies of water or will be washed by the rain into storm water run-off.
The documented additional air pollutants from ADAGE and Simpson/Solomon will settle where? They will settle on our wet lands, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and the Puget Sound---as well as being carried across our communities, polluting the air, and then eventually ending up in storm run-off. Of particular personal concern would be the possible destruction of John’s Creek which is critical for multi-species salmon spawning. The Squaxin Tribe has been putting tremendous efforts into making John’s Creek and related wetlands into a viable venture between the tribe, county and state of Washington.
Finally, with all the accumulative effects on our water and environment, which could be overwhelmed by the increased pollution, the potential for the destruction of our forest lands will be ever present. This will result in even more destructive run-off. A vicious cycle---Yes, we'd say so. But, only if it’s not stopped. A way of life gone forever? We hope not!
Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to address our concerns regarding our precious and valued ecosystem.
Sincerely,
Dick and Jo Curtis
Shelton, WA
Photo by Christine
Excellent!
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