ADEQ IDEA OF TRANSPARENCY

Water group hears about water contaminant issues by Joanna Dodder Nellans, The Prescott Daily Courier – Monday 14 April 08 - PRESCOTT - A state official will talk about the latest research on chemicals in water during a meeting Wednesday in Prescott. The agenda also includes discussion of a legislative bill that gives the City of Williams an exception to state law so it can continue to use Verde River Basin groundwater after it accidentally drilled wells in it. After hearing Graf's presentation, the county water committee plans to discuss the "emerging contaminants" water issue and possibly take action. "Emerging contaminants" refers to chemicals that governments and water companies don't commonly monitor in the environment, even though they have the potential to cause adverse ecological or human health effects. They include prescription drugs and household cleaners. Sources of these contaminants in natural waterways include municipal effluent and sludge. Recent research indicates effluent, for example, can feminize male fish, according to background materials for Wednesday's meeting. Other research shows that sheep reared on pastures containing sludge have disrupted cellular development and hormonal functions. The water committee's members include municipalities that recharge treated wastewater back into local aquifers and riverbeds, and dispose of municipal sludge on agricultural fields in floodplains. The company that disposes of sludge for Prescott and Prescott Valley has received at least one violation notice from the Department of Environmental Quality. The Sierra Club recently asked the municipalities to stop dumping their sludge on sites near waterways. The contactor currently uses four sites near the Verde River, Ash Creek and Big Chino Wash. In response to further questions from The Daily Courier, a Prescott Valley representative stated that the local governments would let the state decide what sites are appropriate as long as the sites are meeting regulations. The contractor apparently has taken remedial action at the Ash Creek site. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens has refused to allow The Daily Courier to speak to the inspector who issued the notice of violation. That same inspector notified the same contractor about "potential deficiencies" that could lead to a notice of violation at its Big Chino Wash site about a mile above the Verde River headwaters. Contact the reporter at jdodder@prescottaz.com

ADEQ Director Owens, as you are reputedly a licensed attorney what part of “freedom of speech and freedom of the press” are you not familiar with…?

And moreover, what the hell are you so afraid “we” – that’s the citizens of Arizona – might learn…?

“We” – that’s you and me - have got to be plain stupid if we do not rise up as one to oppose Director Owens’ Nazi Gestapo methods of suppressing communication…?

This is but one example of your government’s idea of transparency…

Damn right I’m angry and you should be too…