Nebraska Village Was Open for Business

The small town of Mead, Nebraska, population 500, was concerned when an ethanol plant moved in next door over a decade ago. Their concern proved precient. The plant owned by AltEn LLC became a dumping ground for pesticide coated seed corn manufactered by major ariculture chemical companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Corteva. AltEn advertised itself as a "green recycling" center. The companies could pay a fee to unload unwanted seeds coated with a variety of fungicides and insecticides. The service proved popular and the plant became inundated with a witches brew of toxic chemicals that spread to the surrounding environment. AltEn lagoons are awash in millions of gallons of pesticide-laden wastewater and 84,000m pounds of distillers grains byproduct sit in piles around the plant. State tests on the water and the byproduct show staggeringly high levels of several pesticides associated with a range of health problems for people and wildlife according reporting by UK's Guardian newspaper. Fish die-offs have been reported downstream from the plant, honeybee colonies have been decimated and there are instances of sick geese and other birds. disoriented dogs and unexplained ailments in humans. Incredibly, the company had also distributed "green mash"--a toxic waste product-- to area farmers for spreading across fields as a “soil conditioner”.  [photo credit: C. Gillam]

The state governor nor the state department of environment and energy would respond to the Guardian's request for comment on the situation. The company also refused to comment. A state senator, Carol Blood, told the press, “Based on the scale of the issue … it is an environmental catastrophe,” After the media began reporting the widespread poisoning, regulators finally acted to shut the plant down.

The road to the plant's closure is a familiar one in cases of toxic industrial pollution. A company called E3 Biofuels originally sold the plant to local residents as "closed loop" system in which 30,000 head of cattle would have their waste processed for methane to be burned in the plant as fuel and as fertilzer for nearby corn fields. The wet cake produced as a by-product of distillation could be fed to the cattle, a common process. But just after a few months of operation E3 Biofuels filed for bankruptcy in 2007. AltEn bought the plant and told regulators it would use corn as a fuel. Regulators found out in 2015 that the company was actually using treated seeds, only one of two plants in the United States to do so. Tests run by the EPA on the wet cake and wastewater showed “very high levels of pesticide residues”, including neonicotinoids, which are known neurotoxins. The company racked up numerous regulatory violations, but it was not closed until February of this year. Only days after the shutdown, a pipe attached to a 4million gallon digester tank broke, washing toxins into waterways and spreading them at least 4.5 miles away, according to regulators. In May, another leak was discovered in a pipe adjacent to a wastewater lagoon reports the Guardian.

Researchers from the University of Nebraska and Creighton University are now launching a 10-year study of the impacts on human and environmental health. Locals appreciate the attention they are finally getting from authorities but think it is rather late. Residents of Mead are worried the beef cattle next to the plant may be contaminated as well as their soil and water. Blood, as does US Person, thinks many cancers in rural America can be traced to environmental pollution. In her home town of Hastings, NE, cancers developed by residents were linked to chemicals in the soil and water; the area was designated a Superfund site. “There is a lot of stuff like this that goes on in a lot of these small towns,” Blood told reporters, “There are more Meads out there.” Amen.

No Beavers in the Beaver State

Further: The Kalamath Basin in under stress due to climate change. Fingerling salmon have been dying en masse. According to the Yurok tribe, around 97% of salmon juveniles were infected with C. shasta a warm water disease. The juveniles were either dead or dying. This spring, which has been abnormally dry, is but part of an exceptional multi-year drought. Kalamath waters have been fought over for decades, pitting tribes against farmers in a cyclic competition for water that is simply over-appropriated. Climate change has exacerbated the basin's problems. Wet years used to be the norm, but that changed in 2014. Now, dry years with not enough water to satisfy users is the norm. Congress failed to act on the Klamath Restoration Agreement, the last major attempt at a comprehensive plan for the basin. Newly installed Secretary Deb Haaland has expressed interest in Klamath issues, but no new plan has been forthcoming. Another multi-party agreement, the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement, calls for the removal of four dams on the river to improve flow and water levels. Dam removal is still awaiting approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The emerging mass fish die-off reminds river residents of the 2002 mass mortality in which adult fall-run Chinook died from low water levels. The river became a death zone as 60,000 dead salmon littered the banks and floated downstream. This time, it is juvenile salmon who are dying, and who will never reach the sea to reach spawning age. The learnings from 'Merica go on.

{27/05/21} In this age when irony has died, it is unremarkable that the state known as the "beaver state" has very few beavers remaining. The aquatic rodent (Castor canadensis) was nearly wiped out by the trade in beaver pelts during the 19th century. It is still listed as a predator by state government and can be trapped or killed all over the state with few restrictions or reporting. Now, Kalamath tribes want to reintroduce the species to aid in the preservation of native fish species that are prized as a food source. Two bills in the legislature would make take the beaver off the predatory list and prohibit the taking of beaver on federal public lands. [photo: C. Reynolds]

Beavers are keystone species, responsible for the creation of fish habitat and healthy waterways. They also help the spread of wildfires by creating wetlands. Last year Oregon experienced the most devastating wildfires in its history in which more than a million acres burned. The goal of tribal efforts to attract beavers back to the Williamson River is to naturally create a shallow lake wetlands that would encourage the return of C'wamm and Koptu, fish species favored by natives. A man-made analog of a beaver dam was created last year to give the industrious rodents a head start on their construction project. So far no beavers have been attracted to the area, but there are plans to relocate problem beavers to the site if none arrive naturally by next year. Relocation of beavers is permitted on private land, but the process in laborious and requires a state-issued permit. Consent must be obtained from landowners within four miles of the relocation site. Beavers are just as particular about their living quarters, requiring low elevation and low gradient to better control water flow. Often these same areas are occupied by humans who consider the animal a nuisance and who want beavers removed. Under state regulation whole families must be moved within the same watershed in the correct season. Being highly territorial, there is no guarantee that once moved to new quarters, the beavers will stay there.

The Umatilla tribe has been successfully moving unwanted beavers for years with the cooperation of state wildlife officials. In their program to restore select native foods--salmon, deer, cous, and huckleberry--beavers play a vital role, altering the landscape to create healthy habitat. “There is little dispute that beavers improve streams,” says Kent Woodruff, a former U.S. Forest Service biologist in Washington who spearheaded a relocation program called the Methow Beaver Project. “The scientific literature is solid on the multiple benefits beavers provide.” Their role as Nature's engineers has been overlooked by humans who only see them as pests. As a result, the land has suffered. [photo: J. Jensen]As of this writing the federal Wildlife Services, which regularly kills beavers in Oregon at the request of landowners, has agreed to stop removals while it consults with the national Marine Fisheries Service on whether beaver removal harms salmon, a protected species under the Endangered Species Act.

The universe live and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ one from another, yet none of them has He made in vain. For each in turn as it comes, is good; Can one ever see enough of their splendor? Sirach 42:24-25

'Toontme: Nothin' to See Here, Folks

credit: M. Lukovich

Update:Just six, Mr. Manchin, count them! Only six "good, solid patriots" voted to save our Republic from fascist plutocrats. You do not have to be Sherlock Holmes to surmise there were supporters of the coup lodged in the Senate chamber. What is it going to take for you to support your Democratic party colleagues? If you cannot wake up from your bipartisan daydream to eliminate the filibuster all together, just support an exception for civil rights legislation like the federal election standards bill (For the People Act). As you well know, the filibuster is used to block civil rights legislation. Otherwise the plutocrats will "destroy our government".  US Person thinks you could "sell your soul" for a lot less than democracy, Senator!

Repugnants, led by the intransigent bourbon Mitch McConnell, are preparing to filibuster the 1/6 Commission; even their fellow traveler from West Virginia is frustrated by the craven obstruction. As usual, Repugnant opposition is partisan--the inevitable investigation fallout may implicate the cult and its leaders with sedition, wrecking their chances of resuming control of Congress. In other words, democracy, truth and the "American Way" be damned and embrace the Trumpian lie. The crazy is spreading beyond Arizona's private 'audit' in the conniving hands of MAGA grifters to Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin. Unless Biden puts Manchin and his colleagues in line, to either: a) end the filibuster and/or b) pass his economic agenda and federal voting rights bill, his administration will end in disaster, and the party of sedition will then be able to "destroy our government".

credit:  Darlo Castellejos

Wackydoodle sez: Better than that there tire blimp!

News before the Internet

COTW: Crypto Crisis

As readers undoubtably know, US Person is not a fan of crypto-currencies. It is not a thing, but a digital ephemera concocted from software iterations of galactic proportions. Even that iconic futurist, Elon Musk, has expressed doubts about bitcoin and the massive energy consumption needed to support trades. He announced that bitcoin would no longer be accepted in trade for one of his electric vehicles. Consequently the coin dropped precipitously in value [chart]. Here is a graphic showing bitcoin's history of extreme volatility:

When will the digital mania end? Not soon, because there is always a greater fool round the corner. There are now over 5,000 cryptos! In this regard, this so-called currency is no different from the fiat dollar crypto fans love to hate. Meanwhile, US suggests as an investment vehicle for risk lovers: tulip bulbs. Hey, they worked before!

A Victory for Lions

South Africa has announced that it will end the captive breeding of lions in the country. Conservationists and animal welfare advocates celebrated the reccomendation for more humane treatment of lions. The recommendations of a diverse study committee that issued a report on May 2nd still must be ratified to become law. Captive raised animals are abused in "canned hunts" and in petting zoos for tourists. Advocates expressed confidence that the recommendation will end commercial captive breeding in South Africa. Unhygenic, stressful conditions experience by captive lions contributes to poor health and the spread of disease, which could spill over into the human community. There are about 366 captive breeding operations in the country with an estiamted population of 8,000 lions according to official statistics. An NGO working to end the industry puts the numbers at 450 facilities with upwards of 12,000 lions. Besides touristic exploitation, captive lions are killed for their body parts used in Chinese folk medicine. [photo courtesy: Blood Lions]

A wildlife protection organization inspected 95 breeding facilities in 2016-17 and found dozens of operations without adequate enclosures, proper hygiene, food, enrichment activities, or even veterinary care for injured or sick lions. In essence, lions are treated as disposable livestock instead of a needed, threatened predator. Closing such a large industry will have to be done in phases, and unfortunately some captives not suited to rehabilation will have to be ethanized. Animal welfare experts say an audit of the industry will be needed to stop any more breeding activity. The pandemic's crush of the tourist industry may have contributed to the realization that breeding lions in captivity is not a humane, profitable, or even logical activity.

Now ask the beasts to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; or the reptiles of the Earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of God has done this?Job 12:7-10

'Toontime: The Anti-Democratic (Repugnant) Party

Most Repugnants in the House voted against a bi-partisan commission to investigate the origins of the violent insurrection that took place at the US Capitol on January 6th. 'Moscow' Mitch vowed to filibuster the bill in the Senate. What logical explanation could there be for that anti-democratic action other than they and their ersatz boss of bosses would be implicated by the truth? Speaker Pelosi labeled their Orwellian attempts to trivialize what took place on that infamous date, as "sick" US Person could not agree more. The commission bill passed in the House with a bi-partisan majority. The GOP's dangerous "evil lunacy" epitomized by co-conspirator, INDIVIDUAL ONE'S BIG LIE clearly demonstrates the need to modify the Senate's filibuster rule that is preventing the restoration of democratic government and economic recovery. Ending the sixty vote threshold will not be easy and we may "get our hair mussed" as General Turgidson warned, but it is the only alternative to ending the American Experiment prematurely.

credit: P. Byrnes

  

breaking racial barriers with Babaloo!

Another Sign of the Times

The Jews wanted signs too. Corinthians 1:22 Here is one for you climate skeptics out there: the biggest iceberg on Earth calved from the Ronne Ice Shelf and is now floating in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The gigantic iceberg labeled A-76, is 4,320 km² (1,668 sq miles) in area and roughly the shape of Manhattan Island. The next largest berg is also floating in the Weddell Sea. The Earth's average surface temperature has increased by one degree Celsius since the 19th century. The warmest increases in air temperature have occurred in the arctic regions. That is bad news for coastal dwellers as each massive ice berg that detaches from the polar ice caps on land contributes to an increase in sea levels. [photo credit: ESA].

Another huge berg threatened South Georgia Island recently, but fortunately for the millions of birds and marine mammals that live there, it broke up before reaching the sanctuary. According to one Colorado geologist the break off A-76 from the Ronne Ice Shelf is not related to climatic changes since the shelf has, "behaved in a stable, quasi-periodic fashion" over the past century or more. Some ice shelves along the Antarctic peninsula, farther from the South Pole, have undergone rapid disintegration in recent years, a phenomenon scientists believe may be related to global warming, according to the U.S. National Snow & Ice Data Center. [clarification provided by PNG in response to misleading local news reports]. 

Chinstraps on Elephant Island, Greenpeace

Further: Antarctic penguins are certainly feeling the heat in this era of global warming. Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) that live on Antarctic coastal islands have experience a dramatic 50% population drop over the past fifty years. A Greenpeace expedition to one colony on Low Island found a seventy-seven reduction in numbers. Researchers from Stony Brook University counted 58% fewer breeding pairs on Elephant Island compared to the survey in 1971. Human caused combustion has pushed temperatures in and around the Antarctic Peninsula by 5C over pre-industrial levels. The region, which extends above the Antarctic Circle, recently set a new record high of 18.3C recently. A few years ago, scientists warned that warming could force King penguins find new breeding grounds or go extinct by the end of the century. An earlier study found that 60% of Adèlie penguin habitat could be lost. Krill, which makes up the base of the marine food chain, is also declining in some areas of the Southern Ocean with consequential impact on marine mammals. This decline in protoplakton is one reason the Gentoo penguin, a more generalist feeder, is replacing the Chinstrap. To highlight the plight of Antarctica's endemic species and support for a global ocean treaty that would protect habitat, Greenpeace installed melting penguin ice sculptures in international cities. No warming in Antarctica? NOT!