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Members present:
Chuck Bond, Bud Carpenter, Maureen Donker, Greg Dorrien, Lin Dorman, Vic Finch,
Connie Killingbeck, Steve LaLonde, Bob Markey, Jack Maddox, Beth Nash, Brenda
Sauve, Dan Sorenson, Barb Stamiris
Members absent:
John Marsh, Brent McCumons, Eileen Starks
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The minutes of the meeting held on March 6, 2001 were accepted.
Start-up/Announcements:
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Jack informed panel members that signs would be installed by the city next
week. DC will activate these signs in an emergency situation notifying the
public to avoid roads surrounding the plant.
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Chuck mentioned the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection for the
tri-county area. Established drop off points and dates/locations will be sent
with the meeting minutes.
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Reminder of the upcoming DC plant tour on Monday, April 16 @ 10:30a.m.
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Discussion around the PBS special featuring Bill Moyer and his report on
the Chemical Industry. Several panel members viewed the tape and expressed
their comments and concerns on the impact it had to viewers.
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Maureen has copies of the tape if you’d like to view it.
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Maureen has arranged a tour of the CABOT facility for Monday, June 4. More
details will follow.
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Terry Miller from the Lone Tree Council was our guest speaker.
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The ecology of Saginaw Bay and the Great Lakes is very complex. The
"black sludge" found along some of the beaches on Saginaw Bay is
decaying aquatic vegetation. In recent years, Saginaw Bay has experienced a
significant increase in vegetation, and therefore, an increase in the amount of
vegetation that washes up on some beaches and decays. There are many reasons
for this increase in vegetation. Lower water levels in the Great Lakes along
with an increase in water clarity, allows sunlight to penetrate to greater
depths which stimulates weed growth. One of the causes of increased water
clarity is thought to be Zebra Mussels. Other contributing factors to more
weeds include non-point pollution, such as the nitrogen and phosphorous from
fertilizers in water run off from agricultural lands in the Saginaw Bay
watershed. Although much smaller in volume, point sources of nitrogen and
phosphorous in water discharged from chemical plants and other industries
upstream also contributes to the total nutrient load in Saginaw Bay.
Agriculture and chemical manufacturing may contribute to the black sludge on
some beaches, but the ecological relationships within the Saginaw Bay watershed
are much more complex than that
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In addition to Terry Miller’s comments on black sludge, Terry also
reviewed:
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The history and agenda of The Lone Tree Council.
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The role of environmental activists.
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The Dioxin Controversy.
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“Environmental Report Cards”.
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What CAPs should focus on.
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Terry recommended that the CAP receive regular reports on waste from
DCC.
Meeting ended @ 5:00p.m.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 1, 2001
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