MPCA provides contaminant testing report upon request
Posted by loon on March 26, 2008
Varney Lake and Lily Lake tested in 2007 The report says more extensive testing needed before preparing sediment disposal permits. The findings imply significant long-term cost implications everytime the city has to clean out neighborhood ponds used for disposing of stormwater and the associated sediment from streets and driveways.
One Response to “MPCA provides contaminant testing report upon request”
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March 26, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Yet another example of the city manager and the mayor
unilaterally withholding important information from both the public and
elected officials.
The November 12, 2007 environmental report from Braun Intertec
Corporation confirms the presence of PAH compounds (including Benzo(a)Pyrene
equivalent), arsenic and copper in Varney Pond and Lily Lake. This report
was never provided to me during my tenure as a city council member through
2007. I understand that the current council has also not been provided with
a copy of this report.
Most important is the fact that the extent of the contamination has been
withheld from the public. This is but another example of a standard
operating procedure used by the city manager and mayor which is nothing less
than a breach of the public trust and considered by many to be misconduct or
malfeasance by these public officials.
As was the case in the Lake Avenue street reconstruction process last year,
I fought for the City of White Bear Lake to be a leader in implementing
better stormwater infiltration methods. The City Council failed to be
leader in this, due largely to the contemptuous attitude by some city staff
and council members that their positions or methods should not be
questioned, discussed or debated by the public or fellow council members.
This arrogance results in a lack of transparency, lack of disclosure and
lack of high ethical standards.
White Bear Lake has another opportunity to be a leader in banning the use of
coal-tar-based parking lot/driveway sealants, or other products that contain
PAH compounds which end up polluting our ponds, wetlands and lakes through
stormwater systems based on outdated designs.
Three members of the city council can insist on changing the current
standard operating procedure from withhold, obfuscate and deception to
disclose, clarify and honesty.
Thanks,
Tony Feffer
651-762-1000