Letters/Comments

 

Re: Abolishing EPA would be bad news for local marinas, fisheries (Feb. 24-March 9 issue)

EPA is out of control

The EPA is out of control. Regulations benefit special interest groups who obtain most grant money. Environmentalists are just like rest of liberal groups. Want someone else to pay for their agenda.

Chris C.

EPA abolishment would be devastating

In response to one reader’s comment that the “EPA is out of control” is a typical knee-jerk reaction of a blanket statement that takes a “broad brush” approach to the issues without taking anything into consideration.

Instead, one should take into consideration of what are the ramifications if the EPA were completely abolished.

First, I would site some of the examples of the benefits that the EPA Abolishment article pointed out that a state-run agency would have more difficulty enacting on its own, let alone the difficulties of doing so with strained state budgets, such as California’s. A good example of that is the EPA investment in 2016 of $182 million to help fund clean drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and water pollution programs. You really think the California State Legislature could afford to pass that on to the taxpayers? Shut your eyes and think of Christmas if you think that’s possible.

The article also points out the ability of the EPA to partner with national agencies such as the case in 2014 when the EPA and the NOAA (a federal agency) worked together WITH California agencies to restrict the use of an herbicide threatening endangered salmon and steelhead trout.

My family and I experienced firsthand of what our environment was like in the early 70’s growing up in Southern California and the changes our surrounding environment went through starting from when my relatives first settled in the San Gabriel Valley in 1900 to get started in the then-booming citrus business to the present day. There was no smog in 1900. But by the time the 70’s came about, it was a completely different story.

I grew up in the town of Glendora back then and that very town was considered one of the worst in air quality in all of Southern California. Often times, our grade schools would release us @ Noon to go home when the air quality would reach Stage 2 smog alert levels. I still vividly remember how your eyes would sting and your throat would burn from the high smog levels.

Many thanks to the Nixon Administration’s help in forming the EPA in 1970 and the AQMD’s involvement (Air Quality Management District) that helped set regulatory actions such requiring vehicles to have catalytic converters installed to help remove harmful omissions. What a difference it’s been since then on how bad it use to be verses how much better the air is now in So. Calif.

I also remember the terrible issues we had with chemicals such as DDT and its after-effects that we don’t have to experience anymore. That was an ecological nightmare back then.   Growing up in So. Calif. has allowed me to enjoy the wilderness areas around us and to be blessed with the deep-sea fishing opportunities that I’ve enjoyed for over 40 years and continue to do so.

I think the real solution is not abolishing the EPA, but rather to refine it by giving states more “room at the table” to work in conjunction with agencies such as the EPA to help better and preserve the environment for us and our future generations.

In the end, I don’t want my son to say to me someday “Hey dad, tell me again what it was like when you could catch Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna off the coast of California?” Let’s not get to that scenario.

Dan Malnic

We are the people

Well stated Dan . . . especially today, after reading Scott Pruitt’s emails (finally made public after a two-year lawsuit) revealing his chummy relationship with the billionaire Koch brothers and fossil fuel industry. Whether liberal or conservative, Joe Public needs to wake up and pressure those in power to represent, “We The People,” not special interest groups/industries.

S. Maxwell

Don’t jump to conclusions

Fisher woman. ..like  men….fished most of my life…arch conservative fence sitting republican. Worked with very sensible men . Please read more before jumping to conclusions.

Rhonda Butler

Re: Send The Log your questions for the California Boating Congress (Feb. 10-23 issue)

A question for Congress

When will there be a statewide program to collect expired flares for recycling? The boaters of California are very frustrated with the expense and difficulty of finding where to properly dispose of marine flares every 36 months.  Many boaters report sea disposal which pollutes the ocean with perchlorate but they don’t know what to do with them. When will state take action to make sure that boaters have a safe and convenient way to dispose of flares and that the cost is built into the product price so we are not paying to dispose which is a deterrent to doing the right thing?  What and who at the state is going to do something?

Steven Caldero

Re: NOAA Report: Sea level rise poses consequential risk to United States (Feb. 10-23 issue)

Pure nonsense to me

Water seeks its own level, so someone please explain how it is possible for sea level to rise on only the West side of the Pacific!!!??? Pure nonsense!

Dr. Richard M. Burger

Re: Proposed state ballot initiative could allocate $3 billion for public recreational access

More state bureaucracy

Headline reads “$3 Billion” text reads “$1 Billion” with over half for that going to climate adaptation and resiliency programs. Think of the new state employees that would take. Just more state bureaucracy.

Bruce Vegter

Re: From harbor to shining harbor: The freedom of anchorages (April 22-May 5 issue)

Don’t forget about Paradise Cove

Also available for free anchorage are the many coves on our nearby channel islands.  A mainland anchorage not mentioned is Paradise Cove just east of Point Dume.

Jeff LaBarre