Save Serene Lakes and Donner Summit from destructive overdevelopment Save the Summit is maintained by Kathryn Gray ktg@savethesummit.com. For more information about issues at Serene Lakes and Donner Summit please visit www.saveserenelakes.org and www.saveoursummit.org
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July 4
INFO ABOUT BLUE GREEN ALGAE Printable version... Here's some background about Blue Green Algae pulled from the August archives of save the summit. I don't know what kind of algae is present below the DSPUD outfall--the state is testing it, and will release results in due course. RG also has EcoLogic testing--see, for them, if it's sourced to sewage outfall, and not something else, like a leaky leach field--it might mean doubling the sewage capacity, which they'd need to do, is a dead letter.
Here's the background material I wrote last summer. I'll update on the algae/water quality issue in a few days.
BLUE GREEN ALGAE IS MORE BAD NEWS FOR LAKES
The State of California has recently released (June 2007) a Draft report titled Cyanobacteria in California Recreational Water Bodies. Cyanobacteria, aka blue-green algae, while common and naturally occurring, can be very dangerous- at least 46 species are known to be toxic to vertebrates. Children and pets, because of their small body size, are particularly vulnerable to the toxins released by blue-green algal bloom. Since 2001, nine dogs who swam in blooms in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties died, some almost instantly.
There is a new awareness of the dangers posed by many types of blue-green algae, and the State of California is being very assertive in the collection and study of data. Many factors can contribute to algal blooms, including decreased water flow and decreased water mixing, elevated temperature, and the presence of excess nutrients. (source-Draft report).
Our Serene Lakes could be particularly vulnerable to blooms (or scums) of types of blue-green algae if developers are permitted to draw off large quantities of water, leaving warm, shallow areas rimming the lake. This would destroy recreational opportunities, and threaten the drinking water supply. Certain species of blue-green algae release toxins, and the toxins cannot be destroyed by boiling, filtering, or chemical treatment- state advisories caution to not even use toxin impacted water to wash dishes! A further complication is caused by the fact that even when the bloom appears to have dissipated, the toxins can remain in the water, and can flow on to other bodies of water, posing a risk to both humans and wildlife. Testing for toxins is complex and expensive, as there are currently very few labs running testing programs. July 3
Mother, mother, may I go for a swim? Yes, my darling daughter. Hang your clothes on a hickory limb And don't go near the water.
-Nursery Rhyme
If you're up along the South Yuba River, anywhere below DSPUD's discharge, you'd be well advised to take the advice offered by the old nursery rhyme. Do not go in the water, and don't let your dogs or kids near it either. There is an algae bloom, and some algae can produce cyanotoxins, which are dangerous to ingest, and dangerous to get on your skin. There have been incidences of dogs who swam in algae ridden water up in the Northern part of California dying quick and unpleasant deaths from exposure to algae blooms.
On Monday, in quick response to complaints from some concerned citizens, someone from the state water quality control board responded promptly, and gathered samples for testing. Samples were gathered upstream and downstream of the DSPUD discharge point, and at the bridge downstream. Items sampled for include nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphate, orhtophosphate, and field testing for pH.
A big thank you for the water quality folks for getting out there so fast-- July 2
THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME Printable version.... 2,052 guitarists, led by Country Joe McDonald set a world record playing Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land", at Todos Santos Park Tuesday, July 1.
Maybe we can get them all up on Donner Summit for an encore! June 26
ROYAL GORGE LLC'S CASE OF SUMMER BOREDOM Printable version.... We're bored with the SLCWD board, those 5 tedious guys Who don't jump when we want them to; A remedy we'll devise Perhaps if we elected a few others who share our concern We'll make sure, money-wise, we earn and we earn.
An election is coming, isn't that swell? If we play our cards right, we can quite possibly dispel The erroneous notion that when it comes to water we don't have a clue Heck, we're Kirk Syme, Todd, and Mark Foster, and we know just what to do!
We'll find us some candidates who have no compunction Of acting for Royal Gorge in a strictly fiduciary function Who, if we want to drain Serene Lakes, they won't bat an eye At the sight of the lakes, muddy, ugly and dry.
And to help us out, they'll jump in and hassle The SLCWD board, cause, heck, they're our vassals Filing complaints with the state, sending letters to the papers Those could be just a few of their capers.
They'll make sure our interests are considered before Those of the little Serene Lakes cabin owners who are just such a bore The way they fussle and tussle and write all those "my turns" When what keeps us up nights is fear of diminishing returns
'Cause a "Ski Camp" without downhill is no fun at all And no matter how we arrange the condos and related sprawl Perhaps no one will buy it- the thought chills and distresses We may not be one of the Sierra's successes.
Our banks may get crabby, our investors demanding There could be difficulties with debts still outstanding We need sewer and water as fast as we can get it Although that's not a fact that we're willing to admit yet.
We're bored with the SLCWD board, those 5 tedious guys Who don't jump when we want them to; A remedy we'll devise Perhaps if we elected a few others who share our concern We'll make sure, money-wise, we earn and we earn.
*this opinion is based on the voluminous letters submitted to SLCWD by the two law firms in Royal Gorge LLC's employ regarding ordinances aimed at protecting Serene Lakes from being overdrawn.
BOILING HOT, BOILING WATER, BOILING MAD Printable version.... In summer you expect boiling hot-- when it gets toasty up at Serene Lakes, at least there's some nice cool lakes to gaze at, and a quick jump off the swimming float is a good way to cool down. Best of all, you can turn on your tap, and run a glass of cool, pure water. Read more.... June 22
FOSTER AND SYME "SOCIALS," HOT WEATHER, AND FLIP-FLOPS Printable version.... Sorry, they're not ice cream socials, and John Q Public (that means you and me) aren't invited. Stephanie Olivieri and John Eaton of MAPF (Mountain Area Preservation Foundation, and how'd they get that name?) have been hosting quiet, cosy little soirees between Royal Gorge LLC and representatives of various groups such as SLPOA, Sierra Watch, Sierra Club, and SYRCL, among others. What's interesting is that the classic "divide and conquer" technique has been employed; i.e. don't have all the groups in one room at one time, so you can discuss different topics with each group, and perhaps assess who's the weakest link. Read more....June 17
I'm sick of all these voters who raise ruckus and tarnation About the fact I've taken maybe one or two donations From realtors, developers, ski resorts and such A candidate needs money, and it really wasn't much... Read more....
KTG June 15
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY, DON'T IT? Printable version.... Bruce Kranz billboard courtesy Royal Gorge LLC
It's a marvelous night for a moondance for Royal Gorge LLC and Bruce Kranz.
Bruce Kranz billboard courtesy Royal Gorge LLC