I copied the following post from zunasurf.wordpress.com/page/2/
We’ve raised water testing questions to many different groups over the last few days.
Is it being tested? How often and when?
How will the public know the status & progress, especially those of us who are surfers, swimmers, kiteboarders and other ocean-lovers who regularly immerse ourselves in the water for long periods of time?
THE OFFICIALS: “WE DON’T KNOW”
Last night (Wed 11.14), we asked the EPA and other officials running the volunteer training those very same questions. The answer? “We don’t know.”
That’s not what we wanted to hear. For many of us surfers and ocean aficionados,
1. We are aware that testing for oil may be challenging, given all the other toxic chemicals that are in our local waters. One of the officials leading volunteer training, Harry Allen of the EPA, mentioned last night that oil spills and other toxic spills of all sizes happen daily in our waters, up and down the coast. Although many of us know our waters aren’t clean, it’s still alarming to hear that directly. [By the way, kudos to the EPA, SF Emergency Response, and the Parks Service for all their efforts in putting on the training to get so many of us citizens certified.]
2. We also worry about those who’ve already breathed in the fumes or were unknowingly in direct contact with the toxic waters and sand– surfing, swimming, walking their dogs, or helping with clean-up from Thursday-Monday, before beaches were shut down. Some still have headaches, red rashes and more. [see our area on Health Risks & Tips].
3. We also know that reactions vary, depending upon type of exposure –e.g. fumes vs. direct contact, amount of exposure, and how sensitive someone might be. Some folks are simply just ultra-sensitive, or have compromised immune systems.
DEMAND ANSWERS NOW!
To enjoy our beaches in the future, will we have to develop Hazmat wetsuits — “Chewbacca-style,” made with hair-mat technology?
We jest for a second, but the matter at hand is serious. We contacted the SFPUC yesterday, who does regular water testing of area beaches and puts out reports through earth911.org. The answer we got? Here’s an excerpt of the staff biologist’s email response:
“…Our reporting is based upon bacteria levels only. The oil spill is not our jurisdiction and we do not monitor for oil on the beaches. The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating response efforts….”
Although the SFPUC coordinates the the Dept of Public Health and has updated their reports to reflect that there is an oilspill, we haven’t seen any public report on the actual water quality and any indications when it’s safe to get back in.
Currently, Kill the Spill doing some work on the testing situation. In the meantime, we urge you to contact your local representatives and demand answers**.
Also rally with your local surf groups AND non-profits focused on water quality, to come up with solutions. We know some are already working on the issue. Perhaps we need independent testing, along with official testing.
...............................................................................................
**note from phoenix:
KTS said that they would post a draft letter for the public to use to demand oil/water testing and e-mail addresses of where to send them. I have not seen this info as of yet. I will write them ASAP to see if they can send them to me.
We’ve raised water testing questions to many different groups over the last few days.
Is it being tested? How often and when?
How will the public know the status & progress, especially those of us who are surfers, swimmers, kiteboarders and other ocean-lovers who regularly immerse ourselves in the water for long periods of time?
THE OFFICIALS: “WE DON’T KNOW”
Last night (Wed 11.14), we asked the EPA and other officials running the volunteer training those very same questions. The answer? “We don’t know.”
That’s not what we wanted to hear. For many of us surfers and ocean aficionados,
1. We are aware that testing for oil may be challenging, given all the other toxic chemicals that are in our local waters. One of the officials leading volunteer training, Harry Allen of the EPA, mentioned last night that oil spills and other toxic spills of all sizes happen daily in our waters, up and down the coast. Although many of us know our waters aren’t clean, it’s still alarming to hear that directly. [By the way, kudos to the EPA, SF Emergency Response, and the Parks Service for all their efforts in putting on the training to get so many of us citizens certified.]
2. We also worry about those who’ve already breathed in the fumes or were unknowingly in direct contact with the toxic waters and sand– surfing, swimming, walking their dogs, or helping with clean-up from Thursday-Monday, before beaches were shut down. Some still have headaches, red rashes and more. [see our area on Health Risks & Tips].
3. We also know that reactions vary, depending upon type of exposure –e.g. fumes vs. direct contact, amount of exposure, and how sensitive someone might be. Some folks are simply just ultra-sensitive, or have compromised immune systems.
DEMAND ANSWERS NOW!
To enjoy our beaches in the future, will we have to develop Hazmat wetsuits — “Chewbacca-style,” made with hair-mat technology?
We jest for a second, but the matter at hand is serious. We contacted the SFPUC yesterday, who does regular water testing of area beaches and puts out reports through earth911.org. The answer we got? Here’s an excerpt of the staff biologist’s email response:
“…Our reporting is based upon bacteria levels only. The oil spill is not our jurisdiction and we do not monitor for oil on the beaches. The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating response efforts….”
Although the SFPUC coordinates the the Dept of Public Health and has updated their reports to reflect that there is an oilspill, we haven’t seen any public report on the actual water quality and any indications when it’s safe to get back in.
Currently, Kill the Spill doing some work on the testing situation. In the meantime, we urge you to contact your local representatives and demand answers**.
Also rally with your local surf groups AND non-profits focused on water quality, to come up with solutions. We know some are already working on the issue. Perhaps we need independent testing, along with official testing.
...............................................................................................
**note from phoenix:
KTS said that they would post a draft letter for the public to use to demand oil/water testing and e-mail addresses of where to send them. I have not seen this info as of yet. I will write them ASAP to see if they can send them to me.
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SF Bay Area
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