Supporting Ethical Solutions for Deer Management
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On January 6th 2024 I attended a "Coffee with Council" meeting. Present from the city were Mayor Barnett, councilpersons Kathy Winczewski and Wally Cain, police chief Jones and city manager Mitch Foster. There were a couple of other citizens there also. I was there to discuss the chemical contamination of the northwest Ludington area. There following is the written copy of my presentation to the council.
I spoke with an official from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy or EGLE who told me that they had never conducted or had any test data of the surface water, vegetation, or soil in the Cartier Park area and that if any of these tests would have been done it would have been in the proximity of Straits Steel and Wire, Handy Things and The Ludington Plating company locations.It was apparent to me that while everyone claims the contamination has not reached Lincoln Lake, they have no way to know this for a fact. I know more about Lincoln Lake than they appear to know and that is not much. For example, they did not know the current depth of the lake. I know about what it is now, and I know what it was seventy years ago. The assumption that the contaminants have not reached Lincoln Lake is based on test water drawn from some wells at a depth of 80 feet between the origin of the contamination and the lake. And these samples do not show contamination. This is not a conclusive test for Lincoln Lake contamination for a heterogeneity of reasons. Samples of lake sediment from various depths in the sediment need to be taken and tested to determine the lake contamination.EGLE admits that because the lake is basically a river with a high flow rate to Lake Michigan contaminants would dissipate quickly and would be difficult to find in the Lake water.The EGLE official stated that all the test wells are at 80 feet. The water table is at about 20 feet and the aquifer varies in depth from point to point. Because the contaminants are heavier than water EGLE believes they would sink to about that depth. This same official stated that he would not say with certainty that the surface water, vegetation and soil were not contaminated only that he thought that was unlikely. My research, as detailed in my report labeled Interconnected Impacts of Chemical Contamination of Groundwater indicates this assumption is not necessarily correct. Furthermore, the specific chemicals, trichloroethylene (TCE), hexavalent chromium, and cyanide disperse differently depending on a multiplicity of factors.I have reports attached that address the issues with the current understanding about the contamination of the surface water, soil, vegetation in northwest Ludington and the possible contamination of Lincoln Lake.The behavior of contaminants like trichloroethylene (TCE), hexavalent chromium, and cyanide in an aquifer depends on various factors, including the physical and chemical properties of the contaminants and the characteristics of the aquifer.
In summary, the fate and transport of contaminants in an aquifer are complex and depend on a combination of factors. While some contaminants may tend to sink due to their density, other factors such as solubility, adsorption, and groundwater flow play crucial roles in determining their distribution within the aquifer. Site-specific conditions will ultimately dictate the behavior of contaminants in groundwater. Consulting site-specific hydrogeological studies or environmental assessments is crucial for understanding the behavior of contaminants in a particular location.I believe because the information related to surface contamination of the Cartier Park area is nonexistent, no venison taken from that area should be distributed for human consumption.Because of comments made at the "Coffee With Council" meeting by city officials a follow up email was sent to councilpersons Cain and Winczewski. It reads as follows:I appreciated your friendly criticism concerning some of my comments about culls that seemed to be conflicting.I may not have articulated my intent clearly, but statements regarding the effectiveness of culls and the potential for unexpected ecological results from eliminating deer from a specific area are not inconsistent. Both statements are true. The later being predicated on the former bring accomplished, which in my opinion is unlikely to happen, for a variety of reasons. The point being that if it were accomplished the consequences would most likely be worse than the initial perceived problem.In 2022 I spoke with numerous city officials from cities that were and had been conducting culls and 100% told me they were not successful in controlling the deer population. The most common reason for continuing the cull was political pressure.The feedback I get about the cull is about 75% against and 25% for. All the 25% for the cull voters believe there are several hundred deer [or too many] in the city. I believe the number is more likely about 60 that move in and out and around the city. The truth is no one knows the actual count. And of course, my position is well known so that could influence what is said to me.Stories about individual encounters with deer are not valid reasons for or against a cull. They are just stories and are likely to be greatly embellished and to my knowledge there is never any supporting proof. It is like the car deer collisions reports; it is always the deer at fault and the fact that there many more cars on the road in areas where the traffic used to be very light is never considered a factor by pro cull advocates like insurance companies.It would be good for city counselors to know how their constituents feel about this, it would be great if the city commission invited the public to voice their position in an easy way. Not everyone will stand up in a commission meeting to voice their opinion.I found it interesting that the mayor attempted to incorrectly restate my position about the possibility of surface water, soil, and vegetation chemical contamination in Northwest Ludington in a way that did not reflect what I was saying in the slightest. When people do this I always wonder why? There is always a hidden reason. That is just one of the reasons I always have a written copy available of what I am going to say. I also found it interesting that the city manager tried to defend EGLE’s predecessor by reason of semantics related to a name. The fact is that a state environmental agency signed off on the Flint river water and now we are supposed to believe, without question, that agency about contamination here.The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The predecessor of EGLE was the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) 1. The MDEQ was responsible for protecting Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources. You can look it up to see if MDEQ played a part in the Flint river debacle. As a matter of interest, the headwaters for the Flint river are in Lapeer Michigan and the contamination there came from plating operations and a plastics manufacturer. The Following Report Was presented Earlier At A Regular Council Meeting.Interconnected Impacts of Chemical Contamination of Groundwater, Surface Water, Soil, and Vegetation.Executive Summary: Chemical contamination of groundwater poses significant risks to the surrounding environment, affecting not only the groundwater itself but also leading to a domino effect on surface water, soil, and vegetation. This report investigates the intricate connections between chemical contamination in groundwater and its widespread consequences on various environmental components. 1. Introduction: Groundwater, a vital natural resource, is susceptible to chemical contamination from various sources such as industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of hazardous materials. This contamination often extends beyond the groundwater, influencing interconnected ecosystems. 2. Impact on Surface Water: Chemicals leaching into groundwater can migrate to surface water bodies through underground pathways, such as aquifers and subsurface flows. Contaminants can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, affecting water quality, and endangering aquatic flora and fauna. Additionally, surface water contamination can lead to bioaccumulation of harmful substances, posing risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated aquatic organisms. 3. Soil Contamination: Groundwater contamination often results in the migration of chemicals into the soil through processes like leaching and lateral flow. This affects soil quality and can lead to reduced fertility, altered nutrient cycles, and increased susceptibility to erosion. Contaminated soil may also pose risks to human health through direct contact, inhalation, or consumption of crops grown in contaminated areas. 4. Vegetation Impacts: Plants can absorb contaminants from groundwater through their root systems, leading to bioaccumulation of toxic substances. This not only affects the health of individual plants but also disrupts entire ecosystems. Vegetation in contaminated areas may exhibit reduced growth, altered nutrient uptake, and increased vulnerability to diseases, impacting the overall biodiversity of the region. 5. Case Studies: In various regions globally, instances of chemical contamination have demonstrated the interconnectedness of groundwater, surface water, soil, and vegetation. Examples include industrial sites where groundwater contamination has led to widespread environmental damage, affecting ecosystems and human populations. 6. Mitigation Strategies: To address the multifaceted impacts of chemical contamination, integrated and sustainable mitigation strategies are essential. These may include:
7. Conclusion: The contamination of groundwater has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the groundwater itself but also surface water, soil, and vegetation. Understanding these interconnected impacts is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and prevent chemical contamination, safeguarding the health of ecosystems and human populations. Through comprehensive monitoring, regulation, and remediation efforts, it is possible to minimize the adverse effects and promote sustainable environmental management.
I have written about this subject before but to this point have been ignored. All this information is published by various Michigan state agencies so there is no doubt as to its authenticity.It is imperative that no one eats venison taken from or near the city of Ludington’s north side. Distributing this venison for human consumption, in my opinion will expose those doing so to serious legal consequences should health issue arise. Not to mention the moral issue of knowingly distributing potentially tainted venison.The five plumes containing the hazardous chemicals **trichloroethylene, hexavalent chromium, and cyanide are flowing in the groundwater underneath Ludington's north side, remnants of metal plating operations from the past at Ludington Plating, Handy Things, and Straits Steel & Wire Co ⁵. These chemicals can be harmful to animals that consume food and water in these areas. Trichloroethylene is the most frequently reported organic contaminant in groundwater and can cause liver and kidney damage, while hexavalent chromium compounds can be genotoxic carcinogens ³⁴⁶⁷. Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical that can cause respiratory failure, seizures, and death ⁵.It is important to note that the effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present ⁶. If you suspect that you or an animal has been exposed to these chemicals, it is best to contact a medical professional or veterinarian immediately.Trichloroethylene, hexavalent chromium, and cyanide are hazardous chemicals that can cause serious health problems in humans and animals. Trichloroethylene is associated with several types of cancers in humans, especially kidney, liver, cervix, and lymphatic system ²³. Animal studies have reported increases in lung, liver, kidney, and testicular tumors and lymphoma ². Hexavalent chromium is harmful to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and all Cr (VI) compounds are considered occupational carcinogens ¹. Studies of workers in chromate production, chromate pigment, and chrome electroplating industries employed before the 1980s show increased rates of lung cancer mortality. Certain hexavalent chromium compounds produced lung cancer in animals that had the compounds placed directly in their lungs ⁴. Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical that can cause serious health problems in humans and animals, including death. Cyanide can enter the environment through industrial processes, such as mining and electroplating, and natural processes, such as decomposition of organic matter. Cyanide can contaminate food and water sources, and animals that consume food and water in these areas can become contaminated with cyanide.It is not safe to eat animals exposed to these hazardous chemicals. Animals that consume food and water in contaminated areas can become contaminated with these chemicals, and consuming contaminated animals can cause serious health problems in humans. It is important to avoid consuming animals that may have been exposed to these hazardous chemicals.For more details about this contamination Click HereInterconnected Impacts of Chemical Contamination of Groundwater, Surface Water, Soil, and Vegetation.Executive Summary:Chemical contamination of groundwater poses significant risks to the surrounding environment, affecting not only the groundwater itself but also leading to a domino effect on surface water, soil, and vegetation. This report investigates the intricate connections between chemical contamination in groundwater and its widespread consequences on various environmental components.1. Introduction:Groundwater, a vital natural resource, is susceptible to chemical contamination from various sources such as industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of hazardous materials. This contamination often extends beyond the groundwater, influencing interconnected ecosystems.2. Impact on Surface Water:Chemicals leaching into groundwater can migrate to surface water bodies through underground pathways, such as aquifers and subsurface flows. Contaminants can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, affecting water quality, and endangering aquatic flora and fauna. Additionally, surface water contamination can lead to bioaccumulation of harmful substances, posing risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated aquatic organisms.3. Soil Contamination:Groundwater contamination often results in the migration of chemicals into the soil through processes like leaching and lateral flow. This affects soil quality and can lead to reduced fertility, altered nutrient cycles, and increased susceptibility to erosion. Contaminated soil may also pose risks to human health through direct contact, inhalation, or consumption of crops grown in contaminated areas.4. Vegetation Impacts:Plants can absorb contaminants from groundwater through their root systems, leading to bioaccumulation of toxic substances. This not only affects the health of individual plants but also disrupts entire ecosystems. Vegetation in contaminated areas may exhibit reduced growth, altered nutrient uptake, and increased vulnerability to diseases, impacting the overall biodiversity of the region.5. Case Studies:In various regions globally, instances of chemical contamination have demonstrated the interconnectedness of groundwater, surface water, soil, and vegetation. Examples include industrial sites where groundwater contamination has led to widespread environmental damage, affecting ecosystems and human populations.6. Mitigation Strategies:To address the multifaceted impacts of chemical contamination, integrated and sustainable mitigation strategies are essential. These may include:
7. Conclusion:The contamination of groundwater has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the groundwater itself but also surface water, soil, and vegetation. Understanding these interconnected impacts is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and prevent chemical contamination, safeguarding the health of ecosystems and human populations. Through comprehensive monitoring, regulation, and remediation efforts, it is possible to minimize the adverse effects and promote sustainable environmental management. |
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