Contact Us
Floyds Fork Environmental Assoc.
c/o Sheron Lear
PO Box 91041
Louisville, KY 40291
(502) 499-5974
floydsforkenvironmental@gmail.com
Webmaster Ray Ehlers
Hi, Your help would really be appreciated to help save this historic house in the Floyds Fork Watershed from being demolished. Please read the petition. Attached are some photos of this BEARD HOUSE, a map, and a copy of this petition. If you live in District 20 of Stuart Benson (call 574-6100 to find your District if in doubt), each person should sign on one line; do not sign as Mr. and Mrs. one one line because each signature must be authentic and on one line to be counted. We need 200 signatures. Thanks so much! Teena Halbig
PETITION Date: September , 2022
We, the residents of Louisville Metro hereby request that the Louisville Metro
Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission conduct a
study and hold a public hearing to determine if the Historic
BEARD HOUSE (photos attached) at 14803 Old Taylorsville Road
built by Stephen Thomas Beard should be established as Individual Local
Landmark pursuant to LMCO 32.260 (l) as amended on August 8, 2019. The
boundaries are identified on the attached map. We request
designation in an effort to protect the significant historic structure and
property in the face of anticipated change/demolition. Copy of this petition is attached.
The Historical & Confederacy House (see house, map, copy of petition as attachments)
at 14803 Old Fisherville Road, Fisherville, KY was built by master
builder Stephen Thomas Beard who also built and owned the historic Blue Rock
Hotel (1903) where many visited this mineral spring’s health spa. Beard also
was the second owner of the Mill (razed in 1921) in Fisherville. Beard contributed
to the development and heritage of Fisherville and the area where he lived with
his family in this house. However, Fisherville’s history has been underrepresented
in this small community where some of his descendants live today. It is one of
the few historic houses in the Floyds Fork Creek watershed.
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Floyds Fork Environmental Association:
Teena Halbig, 502 267-6883, TeenaHal@aol.com www.floydsfork.net, facebook: please view house and map photos that are attached and
read petition language. Husband and wife please sign on separate lines.
Only persons 18 years old & older may sign, scan & email to Savannah.Darr@louisvilleky.gov. Please forward to District 20/Benson residents
(574-6100 to find your District). Deadline for Signatures is 9/11/22 or a DEMOLITION notice of 10 days can be
issued. Thanks! Petitions can also be mailed to: Savannah Darr, Historic
Preservation Officer, Planning & Design Services, 444 S. Fifth St, Suite 300,
Louisville, KY 40202, 502 574-5705
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EPA Releases Draft Revised Risk Determination for 1-Bromopropane
for Public Comment
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released
for public comment a draft revision to the
unreasonable risk determination for 1-bromopropane (1-BP) pursuant
to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 6(b). The draft revised
risk determination proposes to find that 1-BP, as a whole chemical substance,
presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under the conditions
of use. The 1-BP draft revised risk determination incorporates policy changes announced in June
2021 to ensure the public is protected from unreasonable risks
from chemicals in a way that is supported by science and the law. EPA’s
proposed revisions will ensure that, if finalized, the 1-BP risk
determination better aligns with the objectives of protecting health and the
environment under the amended TSCA. 1-BP is a volatile organic compound with a wide range of uses,
including as a solvent in degreasing operations, spray adhesives and dry
cleaning; as a reactant in the manufacturing of other chemical substances;
and in laboratory uses. There are also a variety of consumer and commercial
products that contain 1-BP such as aerosol degreasers, spot cleaners, stain
removers, and insulation for building and construction materials. EPA’s 1-BP risk evaluation identified adverse human health
effects to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders to
consumer use from 1-BP, including developmental toxicity, from acute and
chronic inhalation and dermal exposures to 1-BP. EPA also identified cancer
as an adverse health human health effect of chronic inhalation or dermal
exposures to 1-BP. The draft revised risk determination for 1-BP does not reflect
an assumption that workers always and appropriately wear personal protective
equipment (PPE). This decision should not be viewed as an indication that EPA
believes there is widespread non-compliance with applicable Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. In fact, EPA has heard
from industry respondents about occupational safety practices currently in
use at their facilities. EPA will consider this information, as well as other
information on use of PPE and other ways industry protects its workers, as potential
ways to address unreasonable risk during the risk management process. Not assuming use of PPE in its baseline exposure scenarios
reflects EPA’s recognition that certain subpopulations of workers exist that
may be highly exposed because they are not covered by OSHA standards, because
their employers are out of compliance with OSHA standards, because OSHA has
not issued a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for the chemical substance (as
is the case for 1-BP), because OSHA’s chemical-specific PELs (largely adopted
in the 1970’s) are described by OSHA as being
“outdated and inadequate for ensuring protection of worker health,”
or because the OSHA PEL alone may be inadequate for ensuring protection of
worker health. As EPA moves forward with a risk management rule for 1-BP, the
agency will strive for consistency with existing OSHA requirements or best
industry practices when they are sufficiently protective, and EPA will
propose occupational safety measures in the risk management process that meet
TSCA’s statutory requirement to eliminate unreasonable risk of injury to
health and the environment. Overall, 23 of the 25 conditions of use EPA evaluated would
drive the 1-BP whole chemical unreasonable risk determination. Removing the
assumption that workers always and appropriately wear PPE in making the whole
chemical risk determination for 1-BP would result in seven conditions of use
in addition to the original 16 driving the unreasonable risk for 1-BP.
Additional risks of cancer from dermal exposures would also drive the
unreasonable risk to workers in six conditions of use; additional risks
for non-cancer effects from acute and chronic inhalation exposures
would also drive the unreasonable risk to workers in two conditions of use;
and additional risks for non-cancer effects and cancer from acute and chronic
inhalation and dermal exposures to workers would also drive the unreasonable
risk in one condition of use. Two out of 25 conditions of use would not drive the unreasonable
risk: the commercial and consumer use of 1-BP in insulation for building and
construction materials, and distribution in commerce. Separately, EPA is conducting a screening
approach to assess potential risks from the air and water pathways for
several of the first 10 chemicals, including 1-BP. For 1-BP, certain
exposure pathways that were or could be regulated under another EPA
administered statute were excluded from the 2020 risk evaluation. This
resulted in the air exposure pathway not being fully assessed. EPA’s
screening approach will identify if there are risks that were unaccounted for
in the risk evaluation for 1-BP. While this analysis is underway, EPA is not
incorporating the screening-level approach into this draft revised unreasonable
risk determination. If the results suggest there is additional risk, EPA will
determine if the risk management approach being contemplated for 1-BP will
protect against these risks or if the risk evaluation will need to be
formally supplemented or revised. Note that EPA has not conducted new scientific analysis on 1-BP
as part of today’s actions. The 1-BP risk evaluation continues
to characterize risks associated with individual conditions of use to support
any determination of unreasonable risk for 1-BP as a whole chemical substance
and to inform risk management. EPA will accept public comments on the draft revised risk determination
for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0741 at www.regulations.gov. Read the Draft
Unreasonable Risk Determination
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The Land Development Code (LDC) is a set of rules and laws that
defines how land can be used, how a development such as a new shopping mall or
apartment must be designed, and the procedures for approval. The LDC Reform is
an equity-focused approach to revise the LDC consistently with Plan 2040 to
allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing
neighborhoods, to create procedures and regulations that are easier to use, and
increase the quality of life by reducing the concentration of environmental
hazards near housing.
Work to reform the LDC began in the summer of 2020. Initial
recommendations, including accessory dwelling units,
notification procedures, and urban agriculture were all adopted within the
first year. The work continues and we encourage you to participate!
To learn about the currently proposed amendments to the LDC,
please click HERE to view the content
or copy the following link into the address bar of your web browser: https://arcg.is/05LCLX0.
Please contact Joel Dock, Planning Coordinator at 502-574-5860 or
send an email to ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov with any questions
or comments.
Microplastics - 2 links
Tips for living more sustainably
and healthier by ingesting less plastic/microplastics; a person ingests 5 grams
of plastic a week which is equal to 1 plastic credit card!
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-dangerous-are-microplastics-to-your-health
SEA LEVEL RISE AND SEPTIC SYSTEMS
It is known that out of the 1500 Superfund/toxic sites, about 800 are close to rivers and waterways and the dangerous sites are in danger of flooding with rising water levels. This doesn't just flood the toxic site but sends the toxics in the water for some distance to get into houses, ground, groundwater, surface water, toxics/pollutants also can get into garden produce, etc. to threaten the health and well-being of the public.
Teena Halbig, Floyds Fork Environmental Association Co-Founder
spoke 4-12-22 to KIPDA
TESTING AND MONITORING FOR EMERGING
CONTAMINANTS IN OUR REGION’S WATER AND WASTEWATER Ms. Halbig gave a
presentation on the progress on PFAS and forever chemicals in the water supply.
Polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are considered to be forever
chemicals. PFAS are a group of manmade, synthetic chemicals used to make
fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and
water. They have strong carbon-fluoride bonds. The two most common are
perflorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which was phased out in 2002 and
perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was phased out by 2015, but its Area Agency
on Aging and Independent Living Area Development District Metropolitan Planning
Organization replacement is GenX. PFOA was created by 3M in 1947, and in 1951,
DuPont began using PFOA. In 1938, DuPont’s Dr. Roy J. Plunkett accidentally
discovered Teflon, and its production began in 1970. These chemicals exist in
many products today; the chemicals are ubiquitous throughout Kentucky,
nationally, and globally, and there are at least 10,000 known derivatives.
However, two sources where PFAS chemicals can be removed to protect the
public’s health are drinking water and wastewater. PFAS chemicals are found in
the wastewater of industrial facilities that produce or process those
chemicals, leachate from landfills containing PFAS wastes, municipal wastewater,
and contaminated storm water. The usual treatments of chemicals do not remove
or destroy PFAS and a portion may partition to sludge. It takes high heat
incineration of 1,000 degrees Centigrade or 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit to fully
destroy PFAS, and it must be taken to places that are designated and approved
to destroy it. According to data analyzed by the Environmental Working Group
and Northeastern University, as of March 2019, there are at least 610 locations
in 43 states that are known to be affected by PFAS contamination, including
drinking water systems serving an estimated 19 million people. Louisville,
Kentucky has the seventh highest PFAS contamination levels out of 31 states and
D.C. at 42.5 parts per thousand per the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) and
state data. Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and its ammonium
salt are also known as GenX chemicals because they are the two major chemicals
associated with GenX processing aid technology to make high-performance
fluoropolymers without the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA/C8). The
Environmental Working Group filed documents with the EPA in which DuPont
reported that a next-generation chemical used to produce food contact paper,
called GenX, could pose a substantial risk of injury including cancerous tumors
in the pancreas and testicles, liver damage, kidney disease, and reproductive
harm. Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living Area Development District
Metropolitan Planning Organization The Environmental Working Group reported
that Louisville, Kentucky has the second highest level of GenX in its drinking
water out of 30 other cities. There has been legislation proposed to address
PFAS chemicals in the water supply. PFAS Bills in the 2021 and 2022 Kentucky
General Assembly did not pass; however, the Kentucky House Resolution written
by Representative Nima Kulkarni for a PFAS Awareness Day passed in 2022. The
proposed PFAS Action Act of 2021 – 2022 calls for several significant
regulatory actions related to PFAS chemicals including requiring the EPA to set
drinking water standards for two PFAS compounds for two years; designate PFOA
as a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act or Superfund (CERCLA) within one year; require
the EPA to determine if all PFAS chemicals should be classified as hazardous
substances under the CERCLA within five years; require testing of all PFAS for
toxicity to human health under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); require
the EPA to issue drinking water standards under the Safe Water Drinking Act
(SWDA) for PFOA and PFOS, require the EPA to designate PFOA and PFOS as
hazardous air pollutants pursuant to the Clean Air Act within six months;
create labeling requirements for products to signify that they are or are not
PFAS-free; and create effluent regulations under the Water Pollution Control
Act. There are several federal and state politicians who are advocating to
assist with the issue of PFAS chemicals including President Joe Biden, North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper, and more. Some key actions and timelines include but are
not limited to publishing a national PFAS testing strategy by the Fall of 2021,
enhance PFAS reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory by Spring 2022,
establish a national primary drinking water regulation for PFAS chemicals by
Fall 2021 and ongoing, restrict PFAS discharges from industrial sources by 2022
and ongoing, and issue updated guidance on destroying and disposing of certain
PFAS and PFAS-containing materials by the Fall of 2023.
Teena Halbig, Floyds Fork Environmental Association Co-Founder
spoke 4-12-22 to KIPDA
TESTING AND MONITORING FOR EMERGING
CONTAMINANTS IN OUR REGION’S WATER AND WASTEWATER Ms. Halbig gave a
presentation on the progress on PFAS and forever chemicals in the water supply.
Polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are considered to be forever
chemicals. PFAS are a group of manmade, synthetic chemicals used to make
fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and
water. They have strong carbon-fluoride bonds. The two most common are
perflorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which was phased out in 2002 and
perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was phased out by 2015, but its Area Agency
on Aging and Independent Living Area Development District Metropolitan Planning
Organization replacement is GenX. PFOA was created by 3M in 1947, and in 1951,
DuPont began using PFOA. In 1938, DuPont’s Dr. Roy J. Plunkett accidentally
discovered Teflon, and its production began in 1970. These chemicals exist in
many products today; the chemicals are ubiquitous throughout Kentucky,
nationally, and globally, and there are at least 10,000 known derivatives.
However, two sources where PFAS chemicals can be removed to protect the
public’s health are drinking water and wastewater. PFAS chemicals are found in
the wastewater of industrial facilities that produce or process those
chemicals, leachate from landfills containing PFAS wastes, municipal wastewater,
and contaminated storm water. The usual treatments of chemicals do not remove
or destroy PFAS and a portion may partition to sludge. It takes high heat
incineration of 1,000 degrees Centigrade or 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit to fully
destroy PFAS, and it must be taken to places that are designated and approved
to destroy it. According to data analyzed by the Environmental Working Group
and Northeastern University, as of March 2019, there are at least 610 locations
in 43 states that are known to be affected by PFAS contamination, including
drinking water systems serving an estimated 19 million people. Louisville,
Kentucky has the seventh highest PFAS contamination levels out of 31 states and
D.C. at 42.5 parts per thousand per the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) and
state data. Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and its ammonium
salt are also known as GenX chemicals because they are the two major chemicals
associated with GenX processing aid technology to make high-performance
fluoropolymers without the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA/C8). The
Environmental Working Group filed documents with the EPA in which DuPont
reported that a next-generation chemical used to produce food contact paper,
called GenX, could pose a substantial risk of injury including cancerous tumors
in the pancreas and testicles, liver damage, kidney disease, and reproductive
harm. Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living Area Development District
Metropolitan Planning Organization The Environmental Working Group reported
that Louisville, Kentucky has the second highest level of GenX in its drinking
water out of 30 other cities. There has been legislation proposed to address
PFAS chemicals in the water supply. PFAS Bills in the 2021 and 2022 Kentucky
General Assembly did not pass; however, the Kentucky House Resolution written
by Representative Nima Kulkarni for a PFAS Awareness Day passed in 2022. The
proposed PFAS Action Act of 2021 – 2022 calls for several significant
regulatory actions related to PFAS chemicals including requiring the EPA to set
drinking water standards for two PFAS compounds for two years; designate PFOA
as a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act or Superfund (CERCLA) within one year; require
the EPA to determine if all PFAS chemicals should be classified as hazardous
substances under the CERCLA within five years; require testing of all PFAS for
toxicity to human health under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); require
the EPA to issue drinking water standards under the Safe Water Drinking Act
(SWDA) for PFOA and PFOS, require the EPA to designate PFOA and PFOS as
hazardous air pollutants pursuant to the Clean Air Act within six months;
create labeling requirements for products to signify that they are or are not
PFAS-free; and create effluent regulations under the Water Pollution Control
Act. There are several federal and state politicians who are advocating to
assist with the issue of PFAS chemicals including President Joe Biden, North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper, and more. Some key actions and timelines include but are
not limited to publishing a national PFAS testing strategy by the Fall of 2021,
enhance PFAS reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory by Spring 2022,
establish a national primary drinking water regulation for PFAS chemicals by
Fall 2021 and ongoing, restrict PFAS discharges from industrial sources by 2022
and ongoing, and issue updated guidance on destroying and disposing of certain
PFAS and PFAS-containing materials by the Fall of 2023.
US EPA AND PFOA's IN WATER
We agree that U.S. EPA is not moving to help. In fact,
they are making mighty moves and moving quickly to better protect the public's
health regarding Forever Chemicals. Unfortunately, it will still
take time to educate the public and bring companies into compliance.
Meanwhile, the deception by water companies, etc. to tout
their water is soooooo good, they do not tell about the chemicals you are
drinking daily which can harm your health or extinguish life. They have the
money (actually, your money) to place ads and pay marketing personnel to spin their
whitewashing of the truth.
Sadly, these chemicals are in Louisville's Drinking Water - call and ask for
free online report of how many forever chemicals are being tested for and what
are the values. Ask to get the values along with your bill on an ongoing basis.
Recently, U.S. EPA moved to give several values. PFOA chemical was 70 parts per trillion over the life of a
person; however,
the value changed very recently to .004 parts per trillion!! Yes, an itsy-bitsy amount is harmful
to human bodies, fish, and animals and the environment. Speak up now by signing
the letter to Senators McConnell and Rand Paul plus U.S. EPA Administrator.
There is also deception by sewage companies selling biosolids/sludge
in pellets to apply on yards, gardens, zoos, etc. because the biosolids/sludge
not only contain heavy metals but also Forever Chemicals. The metals and
chemicals can get into the food that is grown; when purchasing produce or
meats, etc, we are putting forever chemicals into our bodies. Forever chemicals
are not good for human contact or dogs, cats, wildlife, etc. and can cause
their illnesses and deaths.
All you need to do is get the FACTS. Don't have the wool pulled
over your eyes. Please advocate to get these harmful/dangerous chemicals
out of our water! Therefore, please take the action at the above link.
MONKEYPOX UPDATE
COMMUNITY FAN DISTRIBUTION
FREE FANS TO OLDER ADULTS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
Follow link for information
Community Fan Distribution (govdelivery.com)
The CONSERVATION FORM DISTRICTwill likely be applicable to the FLOYDS FORK Watershed.
A Form District is an area with distinct boundaries and a set of regulations governing the pattern of development and redevelopment, such as building heights, setbacks/yard requirements, and lot sizes. Form districts supplement zoning districts in Louisville Metro, which regulate permitted uses and allowable density.
The Offices of Planning and Design Services and Advanced Planning and Sustainability invite you to attend an informational session on two new form districts adopted in Plan 2040 – Conservation and Urban Center Neighborhood form districts. Please join us for this virtual event:
Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Time: 6 P.M.
Meeting Link (click here):
https://louisvilleky.webex.com/louisvilleky/j.php?MTID=ma3d5475f4153253a4fb80147501c01c2
Meeting Number: 2316 765 2160
Meeting Password: TuF6S2tVby6
Please email us at ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov
or by phone at (502)574-6230 with any questions or comments. To learn more
please visit our website at https://louisvilleky.gov/ldcreform .
Thank you!
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PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS PROTECTION
ACTION: Make a call to the Congressional Operator at 1-202-225-3121 to ask your congressional representative to support the Safer Beauty Bill Package now which includes bills HR5537, HR5538, HR5539 and HR5540! We all deserve access to personal care and beauty products that are free from cancer-causing and other harmful chemicals. Right now, companies can legally sell personal care products with chemicals that can cause serious harm to our health and our environment. From cancer-causing asbestos in baby powder, to hormone disrupting phthalates in body wash, to brain damaging lead in lipstick, this situation puts you at risk. We need real cosmetics safety reform. 4 bills (HR5537, HR5538, HR5539, and HR5540) which have been introduced in Congress will:
1. Ban the worst first. Ban 11 of the most toxic chemicals including mercury, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, phenylenediamines (hair dye chemicals), and the entire class of PFAS “forever” chemicals. All of these chemicals are already banned in California, Maryland, and the EU. Learn more
2. Defend the health of women of color and salon workers. These two vulnerable populations are among the most highly exposed to toxic chemicals because of the products marketed to them or commonly found in their workplaces. Learn more
3. Reveal fragrance and flavor ingredients. Require the disclosure of these secret, unlabeled and often toxic chemicals in our personal care products. This is already required in California. Learn more
4. Ensure supply chain transparency. So that cosmetics companies can get the information they need from their upstream suppliers to make safer products. Learn more
Please help get these important bills signed into law.
ACTION: Make a call to the
Congressional Operator at 1-202-225-3121
to ask your congressional representative to support
the Safer Beauty Bill Package now which includes bills HR5537, HR5538, HR5539
and HR5540!
Thanks for taking action now! You can protect
yourself, your family and future generations.
ref: bcpp
Organization Sign-on Letter for EPA's Proposed Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States"
The Honorable Michael Regan
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Mail Code 1101A
The Honorable Michael Connor
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
108 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0108
RE: Environmental Justice Community Comments on U.S. EPA’s Proposed Revised
Definition of “Waters of the United States” (Docket: EPA-HQ-OW-2021-0602)
Dear Administrator Regan and Assistant Secretary Connor,
Thank you for your leadership in advancing climate and environmental justice
priorities and making a commitment to permanently rejecting the Trump-era
rollbacks of federal clean water protections, including the prior
administration’s harmful and unlawful so-called “Navigable Waters Protection Rule.”
We represent the environmental justice community including Black, Indigenous,
Latinx, Asian, and other consistently overlooked and marginalized communities
from across the country. To ensure our communities have access to clean, safe
water, we urge your agencies to finalize the current rule proposal and then
promptly move towards adopting stronger clean water protections in a second
rulemaking to define “waters of the United States.”
Clean water is a fundamental human right, but many people living in underserved
and underrepresented communities face the most harm when the federal agencies
fail to protect critical wetlands, streams, and other waterbodies that filter
pollution and reduce flooding. In rural and other lower-wealth areas,
ill-funded or antiquated water systems lack the resources and technology to
adequately remove harmful pollution from drinking water supplies.
Today, the unfortunate truth is that unsafe water is more common in communities
of color. For decades, industrial dumping, agricultural runoff from industrial
factory farms, and the ongoing deterioration of water infrastructure have put
unprecedented pressure on local water systems to meet the demands of a growing
population. Yet too often, low-income and communities of color are unable to
filter out contaminants from their tap water. These families deserve better.
Urban communities also face unprecedented challenges in preventing toxic,
industrial chemicals like PFAS from entering public water supplies.
Additionally, we urge you to protect our wetlands and headwater streams. These
water sources are some of our most effective tools for ensuring access for all
to clean water for bathing, swimming, and drinking, ensuring physical and
mental wellbeing.
Under the Trump-era rollbacks, however, thousands of stream miles and hundreds
of thousands of acres of wetlands in the United States were put at risk. As we
unfortunately have learned, pollution into America’s network of waterways
upstream causes trouble for everyone downstream. Nationally, the prior
administration’s removal of clean water protections threatens the drinking
water sources for 217 million people. A 2017 study found that over the
preceding decade, at least 63 million Americans were exposed to unsafe drinking
water at least once.
Your agencies should consider environmental justice first including the
protections of the interests of Tribes and Indigenous peoples and foremost in
determining how best to define clean water protections. As you know, Executive
Order 12898 directs each federal agency “[t]o the greatest extent practicable
and permitted by law” to “make achieving environmental justice part of its
mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high
and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies,
and activities on minority populations and low-income populations[.]” EPA
defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with
respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental
laws, regulations, and policies.” In Executive Order 14008, President Biden
called on his administration to “develop a strategy to address current and
historic environmental injustice” and specifically called on EPA to “strengthen
enforcement of environmental violations with disproportionate impact on
underserved communities[.]”
The Agencies therefore must act quickly to restore robust clean water
protections and defend clean water for the Nation’s most vulnerable
populations. Accordingly, in their rulemaking efforts to restore and redefine
federal clean water protections, we urge the agencies to:
Acknowledge the disproportionate harms the “Navigable Waters Protection Rule”
and weak clean water protections inflict on low-income communities, Tribes and
Indigenous peoples and communities of color;
Identify and address the inequitable and disproportionate impacts of pollution
and flooding on our communities;
Take meaningful actions to ensure that your agencies understand the concerns
from marginalized, underserved, underrepresented, and disadvantaged
communities;
Commit to restoring strong, science-based clean water protections that will
protect wetlands, streams, egosystems, and other waters so critical to
providing our communities clean, safe water;
Work to promptly finalize the current rule proposal and move to a subsequent
rulemaking in which the agencies define “Waters of the United States” in a way
that will vigorously protect the Nation’s waters and its most vulnerable
communities.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
We ACT for Environmental Justice
GreenLatinos
Indigenous Environmental Network
Southern Environmental Law Center
It’s official! We have started our own little volunteer wildlife
rescue and are in the process of obtaining our non-profit status. Meet “Tiny
Wonders Wildlife Rescue”… two friends who are permitted to accept orphaned
squirrels (of all types), chipmunks, cottontail rabbits and groundhogs. If you
find animals in need of help, visit our new website (still under construction)
at www.TinyWondersWildlifeRescue.org or text our
TWWR Helpline at 513-409-1331.
~Category I Wildlife Rehabilitators, Sarah Flohr (Lebanon, OH) and
Shannon Pennington (Loveland, OH)
Amendment Allows Odor and Water Pollution from Hog Farms
Please call 1-800-372-7181 to ask
ALL SENATORS to oppose HB 597 - only 2 days left. It was about
dams but an amendment got added which would remove state protections for
intensive hog farms which have been in place for years. This is your water - it
is just re-used over and over but many things are not removed. At this
late time, it is best to oppose HB 597. The Governor will no doubt need
to VETO and the dams info can be submitted again in 2023 - without this harmful
amendment.
https://wfpl.org/ky-bill-would-scrap-odor-and-water-pollution-rules-for-intensive-hog-farms/?utm_source=Louisville+Public+Media+-+2022&utm_campaign=da2be2176e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_08_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3e123d2345-da2be2176e-167794449&mc_cid=da2be2176e&mc_eid=3b32417f82
EPA's "Fix a Leak Week" begins today, March 14th
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week
lots of tips and guidance - also special area for kids to learn
Subject: EPA approves 2018/2020 303(d) list
Kentucky’s 2018/2020 Integrated Report was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 28, 2022. EPA approved Kentucky’s 303(d) list on February 24, 2022. The 303(d) list was at public notice June 4 – August 3, 2021.
The Division of Water’s Integrated Report website has been updated with the following documents:
The Division of Water’s Approved TMDL Reports webpage has been updated with an excel file of all Waters with an Approved TMDL Report.
Coming Soon! Updated 305(b) layers and TMDL layers on the Kentucky Geography Network and an updated Water Health Portal with the 2018/2020 assessment results. We’ll continue to reach out as resources are updated.
Please feel free to distribute this email as appropriate. If you have any questions about the 2018/2020 Integrated Report, 305(b) list, 303(d) list, or waters with a TMDL, email TMDL@ky.gov.
Thank you,
Katie McKone
Kentucky 305(b) Assessment Coordinator
Now is your chance to weigh in to help reduce air emissions - EPA is listening to you. If you have asthma or a child with asthma or relative, it would be pertinent to use that as an example whose life will perhaps be extended due to EPA action on this. Make your case for cleaner air - if you don't act, someone else will be emailing EPA
Email to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov and must have in the subject line: Docket ID No. EPA -HQ- OAR -2019-0055
Meeting information at the bottom for: Feb. 15 at 5:30 P.M. at West Jefferson Community Task Force
Notes from Teena Halbig:
1-10-22 A KY Open Records Request was sent from Floyds
Fork Environmental Association and United
Nations Association of the USA Kentucky Division when the
board minutes of Lou. Water Co.'s (LWC) Board of Water Works on 2-18-2020 showed the
Communications and Marketing Report Given by Kelley Dearing Smith summarized
the Communications and Marketing report for January:
"American Water Works Association
(AWWA) provide us advanced notice that an environmental group would be
releasing a report claiming Louisville's drinking water, along with other
cities contains "potentially toxic chemicals." Staff spent
considerable time and effort to proactively highlight Louisville Water's
research and water quality efforts in advance of the report. A communication
plan included information to employees, key stakeholders, the media and
conversations with dozens of customers through social media. Based on the
current available science, PFAS is not a public health concern for Louisville's
drinking water."
Since I've spoken at the West Jefferson Community Task Force
Meetings (2 presentations in the past few months plus comments and questions)
about PFAS/Forever Chemicals, now LWC & MSD will speak Feb. 15, Tues. at
5:30 P.M. online. Note that 15 other states have set regulatory standards
to mandate the parts per trillion (ppt) while the U.S. EPA is currently working
to reset the amount over the lifetime of a person. The below bill will force
standards to be set.
And the current House Bill in the KY General Assembly, HB338 An Act relating to PFAS, by KY Representative
Nima Kulkarni would require/mandate the KY Energy and Environment
Cabinet to set regulations which would then have to be followed. Nevertheless,
business entities do not seem to want to protect the public's health and
welfare and have lobbyists they pay who work to defeat, promote or change
legislation.
This is why YOU need to be involved to listen and/or speak up and take action
because cleaner water provides better health:
Please call 1 - 800 - 372-7181
KY Capitol Operator (Mon - Thurs. 7am to 9pm, Fridays 7am to 6pm) to leave a
message
for ALL HOUSE MEMBERS about
HB338 regarding PFAS and/or speak to your legislators. Here is the summary of
the bill.
Create a new section of Subchapter 10 of KRS
Chapter 224 to define "PFAS chemicals"; require the Energy and
Environment Cabinet on or before January 1, 2023, to promulgate administrative
regulations establishing maximum PFAS chemical limits and monitoring
requirements for drinking water provided by public and semi-public water
systems and maximum PFAS chemical limits and monitoring requirements for
discharges into the waters of the Commonwealth; require that maximum PFAS
chemical limits be designed to protect public health and be updated; provide
that nothing in the section interferes with the Energy and Environment
Cabinet's responsibilities under the federal Water Pollution Control Act or the
Safe Drinking Water Act.
NOTE: Click to read the text of HB338 https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/22RS/hb338/orig_bill.pdf
However, The American Water Works Association
(AWWA) sent an ALERT! to
Utility Members, including LWC on Jan. 16th, 2020,to expect a release by Environmental Working Group (EWG) on
Jan. 22, 2020. AWWA anticipates that EWG, an advocacy organization, will
release a report on PFAS likely on Jan. 22 - indicating EWG has found PFAS in
drinking water in dozens of U.S. cities. "... utilities should be
prepared to answer questions from consumers and media arising from the report.
AWWA provided a new 16 page tool designed to
help water utility professionals explain PFAS to general audiences in a simple
way. Utilities can also get "Trending in an Instant: A Risk
Communication Guide for Water Utilities" (Members
only).
Thus, LWC began an online advocacy campaign where
a wheel of PFAS sources was shown but is missing WATER (attached). Also a
large glass of water: "Our drinking water is high-quality and meets all
regulatory standards." Note by Teena: but none of the detection of PFAS
chemicals is given to the public; "Meets all Standards" does not mean
PFAS (also GenX) isn't present in our drinking water; does not mean our
drinking water is free of all pesticides, herbicides (including atrazine),
fungicides, antibiotics, hormones, antibiotics, prozac, etc. whereas removal of
PFAS and GenX can also help remove other substances in drinking water.
PFAS - LWC & MSD
WEST JEFFERSON COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
P R E S S R E L E A S E
Virtual
COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday, February 15,
2022
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
Contact: Arnita Gadson,
Executive Director,
arnita.gadson@gmail.com, (502) 645-3588
Email: wjcctf.lou@gmail.com
Mission
Statement: The Mission of the WJCCTF is to provide research and studies to
validate or nullify environmental concerns and issues of residents of West
Jefferson County to empower residents to make informed decisions.
Please join the meeting from
your computer, tablet or smartphone. Cick the link below
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/117194797
You can also dial in using
your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a
one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 117-194-797
You do not need an audio
pin, just press #
“Update on PFAS/Forever
Chemicals”
A review of the status of PFAS and ourDrinking water
Chris Bobay, LWC
(Louisville Water Company)
Pete Goodman, Director
Water Quality
Manager
PFAS in our waste water
Metro Sewer District
Erin Wagoner – MSD
Environmental Partnerships Liaison.
Wes Sydnor, PE
Director of Intergovernmental Relations
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The WJCCTF is a 501c3
non-profit - Charitable donations are welcomed.
Copies of presentations available
upon request
TICKS in Alleghany Front news
Deer Tick Virus was found recently at high levels in a township
park in Clearfield County. The same tick that can be infected with the bacteria
that causes Lyme disease is also the tick with DTV - the black-legged tick,
also known as a deer tick. DTV, or Powassan virus, doesn't always cause symptoms. But for those
that have symptoms, many end up with severe neurological diseases like
encephalitis or meningitis, according to the CDC. Of those with severe symptoms, half are left with long-term illness,
and one in 10 die. There's no medication for the infection.
The Allegheny Front's Kara
Holsopple spoke with Christian Boyer who
supervises the tick surveillance and testing program at DEP.
Read more:
Forward Radio 106.5
Forever Chemicals; Exposure of the Massive Public Health Crisis
with Teena Halbig speaking with Single Payer Health.
Airing for one hour:
MONDAY, Dec. 20 at 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.
Wed. Dec. 22 at 11:00
A.M. - 12:00 Noon
FRANKFORT,
Ky. (Dec. 10, 2021) – Gov. Andy Beshear is
warning Kentuckians that a powerful storm system is forecast to impact much of
the commonwealth late tonight and into Saturday morning. The Friday night
forecast calls for severe thunderstorms and the potential for high-level damaging
winds. Tornadoes are likely in Western Kentucky and portions of Central
Kentucky.
Intense downpours
and high rainfall rates are likely to produce localized flooding issues. River
flooding is also possible. Widespread power outages and roads blocked by debris
are also possible across the state.
“Kentuckians
should follow their local forecasts as this storm front moves through our
state,” said Gov. Beshear. “Folks need to have plans for safely sheltering in
place in the event of a tornado, and they need to be prepared in case there are
disruptions to local utilities.”
Since this will be
an overnight event, Kentuckians are advised to have ways to receive weather
warnings during the night. Those living in vulnerable locations should consider
finding lodging elsewhere. Everyone should stay away from any downed power
lines.
In preparation for
tonight’s storm, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will activate at
8 p.m. EST. Staff will monitor the storm system as it moves across the state
and respond to any requests for assistance.
“The National
Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are forecasting a
very strong weather system entering the western part of the state today at 8
p.m. CST and moving east throughout the late night into the mid-morning hours
on Saturday,” said Michael Dossett, director of the Kentucky Division of
Emergency Management. “This is a dangerous system with conditions that are
favorable for severe thunderstorms, longer-lived tornadoes, supercells and
squall lines.”
Dossett continued,
“Prior to the storm event is an excellent time to engage in a family review of
your safety plan and emergency supplies, in preparation for any possible impact
to your community. Make every effort to monitor news and weather reports for storm
updates in your area.”
This storm is arriving during Kentucky’s Winter Weather Awareness Week, which underscores the importance of reviewing emergency plans, building or resupplying emergency kits, and educating others on the hazards of winter weather: “Be Aware – Be Prepared – Have a Plan!”
Virtual Public Meeting: EPA
and Army Take Action to Provide Certainty for the Definition of Waters of the United States(WOTUS)
Waters of the United States | US EPA
PFAS Pollution Could Last Millennia. KY Officials Told Polluter, But Not Reaidents
Henderson Kentucky Grapples With Widespread Teflon Pollution
Henderson,
KY humongous PFAS contamination heading to Ohio River
The most detailed map of cancer-causing industrial air pollution in the U.S.
The Most Detailed Map of Cancer-Causing Industrial Air Pollution in the U.S. | ProPublica
FFEA is a Co-sponsor for this Free Zoom Meeting
Be sure to zoom in to know more about PFAS (per-and poly- fluoro - alkyl substances) which President Biden pledged to help with PFAS. He is delivering since U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced Oct. 18, 2021 a PFAS Action Plan. In the years to come, this word will be known by most eveyone. Find out how dangerous and harmful these chemicals are because they cause serious illnesses and cancers! Learn more about PFAS for the sake of your children, babies, youths, the elderly and everyone - and especially COVID patients
Time: Oct 26, 2021 10:15 AM
Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - click on this URL Link; if it does not work, copy the link
and paste in your browser.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89132339719?pwd=UWVKQ2xZbTFZeURWTHlDWHVhMXRnQT09
Meeting ID: 891 3233 9719
Passcode: 859695
Louisvillehas the 2nd highest level of GenX.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/20/business/chemours-dupont-pfas-genx-chemicals.html
EPA Administrator Regan Announces Comprehensive National Strategy to Confront PFAS Pollution
Air Quality Info From WHO
https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/un-health-agency-sets-higher-tougher-bar-for-air-quality/
Whistleblowersneed you to ask Congressional Members to take action:
https://anh-usa.org/whistleblower-testimony-on-epa-corruption/
This is a link to Fish and Wildlife re: Chronic Wasting Disease(CWD) in Deer
KY is surrounded by areas with CWD and should become aware by going to this
link:
https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Chronic-Wasting-Disease.aspx
High levels of PFAS "forever chemicals" have
contaminated the area around a plastics recycling company in Henderson,
Kentucky. (WFPL News)
or use https://wfpl.org/concerning-levels-of-forever-chemicals-polluting-henderson-ky/
PFAS STORY LINK
Read the article in full using this link and also a petition:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bayer-litigation-settlement-idUSKBN23V2NP
Dark Waters Movie
Here isthe passphrase for July 16 - 18. Make sure this is the one you use in order to
access this weekend's viewing of Dark Waters.
PASSPHRASE: (copy and paste)
32E57C9868ED489FAD2D5E78A59FD025
To watch,
click the button or visit halttheharm.net/watch-dark-waters
; If you have any issues, simply reply
to this email and I'll be available through the weekend to help. You can also
view the FAQ here.
Want to share?
You are
welcome to share and have a watch party – though all viewers need to sign-up to
get their own passcode. Please share this link https://halttheharm.net/dark-waters
INSTRUCTIONS to Watch:
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
|
More about the film.
From
Participant (Spotlight, Green Book), DARK WATERS tells the shocking and heroic
story of an attorney (Mark Ruffalo) who risks his career
and family to uncover a dark secret hidden by one of the world’s largest
corporations and to bring justice to a community dangerously exposed for
decades to deadly chemicals.
Corporate
environmental defense attorney Rob Bilott (Academy Award®-nominee Mark Ruffalo)
has just made partner at his prestigious Cincinnati law firm in large part due
to his work defending Big Chem companies.
He finds
himself conflicted after he’s contacted by two West Virginia farmers who
believe that the local DuPont plant is dumping toxic waste in the area landfill
that is destroying their fields and killing their cattle.
Hoping to
learn the truth about just what is happening, Bilott, with help from his
supervising partner in the firm, Tom Terp (Academy Award®-winner Tim Robbins), files a complaint that
marks the beginning of an epic 15-year fight—one that will not only test his
relationship with his wife, Sarah (Academy Award®-winner Anne Hathaway) but also his
reputation, his health and his livelihood.
Any
questions or trouble accessing let me know. I'll be on stand by for technical
support through the weekend.
Remember,
to invite your friends to watch with you this weekend, send them to the sign-up
page here – https://halttheharm.net/dark-waters
so they can get a streaming link.
~ Ryan
12 Environmental Movies
https://www.thebrockovichreport.com/p/12-movies-to-inspire-action
New Information On Forever Chemicals
PFAS: map of KY; also Louisville's ranking on a graph
10 Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Louisville, Ky., Tap Water
A sample of residential tap water in Louisville, Ky, contained 10 different compounds in the family of toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, according to laboratory tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group.
The sample, taken in July from a home served by the Louisville Water Company, was tested by an accredited independent laboratory for 30 different PFAS chemicals. Of the 10 PFAS detected, eight were at levels higher than the level recommended by the best independent studies and endorsed by EWG.
PFAS are widely-used chemicals linked to health risks including pancreatic, kidney and testicular cancer; liver damage; reproductive and developmental harms; and reduced effectiveness of vaccines.
The combined total for all PFAS tested in the Louisville sample was 45.2 ppt. Expert studies say that PFAS exposure in drinking water should be limited to just 1 part per trillion, or ppt.
The highest level of any single PFAS detected in the EWG sample collected in Louisville was 22 ppt of a compound known as GenX. It is a replacement chemical for PFOA, which was used to make Teflon before U.S. manufacturers phased it out of production under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s research has found that GenX is nearly as toxic as the PFOA it replaced, and DuPont, its original manufacturer, has provided test results to the EPA showing that GenX caused cancer in lab animals.
10 PFAS Compounds in Tap Water Sample from Louisville, Ky.
|
PFAS |
Level detected in Louisville sample (parts per trillion) |
|
PFOS |
2.6 |
|
PFOA |
7.7 |
|
GenX |
22.0 |
|
PFBA |
3.4 |
|
PFBS |
1.5 |
|
PFHpA |
1.2 |
|
PFHxA |
2.9 |
|
PFHxS |
0.8 |
|
PFNA |
0.6 |
|
PFPeA |
2.5 |
|
Total PFAS |
45.2 |
Source: EWG, from tap water sample taken in July 2019 and analyzed by an accredited independent laboratory
A potential source of the GenX contamination in Louisville is the Chemours Washington Works plant in Parkersburg, W. Va. The plant was operated for decades by DuPont before that company spun off its PFAS business to Chemours in 2015. Parkersburg is upstream from several Kentucky communities, including Louisville, Paducah and Covington.
The new PFAS detections in Louisville’s drinking water come as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is negotiating with other Congressional leaders on the final form of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020. The NDAA is a must-pass defense bill that includes a number of important PFAS-related provisions passed by the House and Senate.
Two provisions that are still under negotiation would designate PFAS as “hazardous substances” under the federal Superfund law and as toxic pollutants under the Clean Water Act. The inclusion of these provisions in the NDAA would kickstart the clean-up process of legacy PFAS contamination sites and limit industrial discharges of PFAS waste into drinking water supplies.
In 2014, researchers found that blood serum concentrations of PFOA in young girls in Northern Kentucky were above the 95th percentile—significantly higher than the national average, based on biomonitoring data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A 2017 study by the University of Cincinnati and CDC researchers found that blood serum concentrations of PFOA rose in Northern Kentucky residents throughout the 1990s, even as it fell in other places along the Ohio River. The researchers hypothesized that the blood serum concentrations were higher in Kentucky because it took more time for the state to adopt water treatment technologies that can filter out some kinds of PFAS.
PFAS testing mandated by the EPA under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program during 2013-2015 showed two detections of PFOS —a type of PFAS formerly used to make Scotchgard — in Kentucky’s Pendleton County Water District at 50 ppt and 58.5 ppt, and two detections of PFOA at 20 ppt in Louisville.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, member of our community and beyond have struggled with paying their rent. The U.S. Department of Treasury has a new tool to help renters with Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Through the website, renters can view an index of the websites associated with our grantees’ rental assistance programs to help tenants and landlords find programs in their areas. For more information, which the Department of Treasury will update regularly, visit the Emergency Rental Assistance Program website and to find your local community in California, visit: https://housing.ca.gov/covid_
BirdDeaths in Kentucky and Indiana - link to report is enclosed in this report:
https://www.wlky.com/article/wildlife-officials-may-take-weeks-to-pinpoint-cause-of-unexplained-bird-deaths-in-kentuckiana/36819357
Much of US a Tick Time Bomb
https://weather.com/health/video/warm-wet-weather-making-much-of-the-country-a-tick-time-bomb
People in 43 Cities Are Drinking Toxic "Forever Chemicals" In Their Drinking Water
See the real Erin Brockovich (not Julia Roberts!) and her water fights continue - now focusing on PFAS/Forever Chemicals: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/erin-brockovich-blasts-u-s-regulation-of-toxic-chemicals/
FEMA To Offer Financial Assistance For Pandemic Funeral Expenses
In early April, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized this week, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states :
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia;
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19; and
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified non-citizen who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
There are no residential or legal status requirements pertaining to the deceased person. An application for the assistance will require:FEMA’s financial assistance is limited to a maximum amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. In the coming weeks, FEMA plans to establish a toll-free telephone number to assist applicants with their submissions.
- an official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia;
- funeral expense documents such as receipts and funeral home contracts that include the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened; and
- proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs.
For more details and information on this assistance program please visit the FEMA.gov COVID-19 Funeral Assistance webpage by clicking here .
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Invitation for zoom Oct 30, Friday 1:00 to 3:00 P.M on Forever Chemicals/PFAS
Thispresentation is to LWV of Louisville Natural Resources Committee but any are welcome to join to see the presentation and put questions in CHAT.
This will count as an FFEA meeting.
Floyds Fork Environmental Association, UNA-USA KY & Teena Halbig, Clean
Water Chair
invites you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
Topic: Teena Halbig's power point on
Forever Chemicals known as PFAS; A Massive Public Health Threat in
Drinking Water & Wastewater
Time: Oct 30, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82302116816?pwd=TWc3dE53WHE2RXJzWG1hZkVUcUhvUT09
Meeting ID: 823 0211 6816
Passcode: 779198
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82302116816#,,,,,,0#,,779198# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,82302116816#,,,,,,0#,,779198# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) - use
for Kentucky
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 823 0211 6816
Passcode: 779198
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kesSgpyuhy
United Nations Association of the United States of America
Kentucky Division
UN Day
& UN Human Rights Day Program:
75th
ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Past,
Present, Progress
&
72nd
ANNIVERSARY of HUMAN RIGHTS
“HUMAN TRAFFICKING & SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
(SDG #5)
&
FOREVER CHEMICALS/PFAS (SDG#6)”
October 20,2020 (Tuesday)
FREE Zoom
REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW
10:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Break: 20 minute YouTubes/Videos during NOON LUNCH
& resume at 12:20 P.M.
NOTE:
SDG #5 = Sustainable Development Goal #5 Human Trafficking, equity,
empowerment & SDG #6 = Sustainable Development Goal #6
clean water and sanitation
There are 17 UN Sustainable Development
Goals/Global Goals voted on by 193 countries
Sponsors
American Association of
University Women of Kentucky
Floyds Fork Environmental
Association
Frankfort Rotary Club
Teena Halbig
Kentucky Foundation for Women
Sifa Ndusha
Rotary District 6710
Rotary District 6740
UNA-USA Bluegrass/Lexington
Chapter
UNA-USA Frankfort Chapter
UNA-USA Louisville Chapter
UNA Women at U of L
UNA at U of L
PROGRAM
10:00 A.M.
Moderator Teena Halbig: Welcome, Introductions of Sponsors, etc.
10:05 A.M.
Aaisha Hamid: Invocation + Young Professional Trailblazer Book Project
10:15 A.M.
Bill Miller, journalist with www.globalconnectionstelevision.com: UNA-USA
10:20 A.M. Governor JoAnn Heppermann, Rotary District 6710
10:25 A.M. Governor James Glass, Rotary District 6740
10:30 A.M. Dr. Gregory O. Hall: Gubernatorial
Proclamation for UN Day
10:35 A.M. Dr. Tricia Gray: Gubernatorial Proclamation
for UN Human Rights Day
10:40 A.M Elected Official (invited) “Battling Human
Trafficking in Kentucky”
11:00 A.M. Allyson Taylor, JD, A.M. Keynote: “Kentucky
Human Trafficking Law” (bio at end)
Noon – 20 minute Break for LUNCH
– just keep zoom on & return at 12:20 P.M. (youtubes shown during this time)
12:20 P.M. Tom Perez, Executive Director EPIK, P.M.
Keynote: “Internet/Cyber Crimes; Reducing Demand and Human Trafficking”: (bio to follow)
1:20
P.M. Satchel Walton, journalist,
reporter, and author: “What’s in
Louisville’s Drinking Water? Is it Time for CHANGE?”
1:50 P.M. Teena Halbig, U of L
B.S. and Certificate in Medical Technology, MT(ASCP), Microbiologist,
Virologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, U of L Researcher (retired) “ What is in YOUR Water? Forever chemicals/PFAS in Drinking Water
& Health Impacts”
2:20 P.M. Closing Remarks
Register on Zoom – registration
Teena Halbig is inviting you to
a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Teena Halbig's Zoom
Meeting
Time: Oct 20, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3991004022?pwd=MC9PaTlNMEkvOTNicFZMbmRodTd6Zz09
Meeting ID: 399 100 4022
Passcode: 608512
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,3991004022#,,,,,,0#,,608512#
US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,3991004022#,,,,,,0#,,608512# US (Chicago) use for KENTUCKY
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) use for KENTUCKY
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 399 100 4022
Passcode: 608512
Find your local number:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kHSDPDy1q
FOREVER CHEMICALS BRODCAST & PODCAST FORWARD RADIO 106.5 FM
WATER AND HEALTH
Pre-swim showers can be rinse showers, taken while wearing your
bathing suit, or cleansing, naked showers, which afford more opportunity to
clean the perianal area, a source of fecal pathogens. In fact, the experts report the average person has 0.14 g of
fecal matter in the perianal area and that children may have as much as 10 g. Doing
the math, a pool containing 15 unshowered adults and 30 unshowered children
could contain an average of 152 g of fecal matter (about 1/3 lb.) Based on the
fact that there are approximately 1,000,000,000 virus particles in 1 g of
feces,2 a typical community pool (about 19,000 gallons) could
contain about 8,000,000 virus particles per gallon from these 45 bathers!
Fecal microorganisms can spread waterborne illnesses. One of the
most problematic of these is the chlorine-resistant parasite, Cryptosporidium.
In KY, www.govoteky.org is where
to go to order your application for vote by mail - must do
prior to Oct. 5 and can use COVID as reason for voting by mail. Your ballot
will be mailed around Oct. 28 and you must fill out and provide signatures and
return in the pre-paid postage envelope right away. You can always vote in
person - but please wear a mask.
***** GET
OUT THE VOTE *****
UNA Advocacy Chair Jay Sjerven and Vice Chair Teena Halbig
reminder that it is time to work on GOTV:
Here is a novel way to highlight
voting using the creation of Karen Mulhauser's Votemeal Cookie
Recipe. Feel free to send this to anyone you can to encourage voting.
Some states will have vote by mail but there are deadlines to apply over the
internet to request an application. Any voting information
you need can be found from your Local Board of Elections or State Board of
Elections. You can also ask who your representatives are in local, state and
federal offices by giving your address. Attend election forums to hear
candidates and ask questions.
Meanwhile, enjoy these cookies yourself - or write VOTE on them or the
election date to give to friends, family, etc.!
Votemeal Cookie Recipe
[a creation of Every Woman Vote 2020]
Yes, Votemeal.
As we lead up to the November 3, 2020
national elections, we have some work to do. We need to reflect on our
values and how we want them reflected in governing policy. We need to inform
ourselves about the policies of candidates up and down the ballot. We need to
be registered to vote and to check to see if our registration is current. We
need to make sure we share this information with family, friends, colleagues
and social media. And, yes, we need to vote and get out
the vote.
We are trusted sources of information
for these people and we can make a difference. The most important demonstration
this year will be the demonstration November 3 at the ballot box
As the centennial of women’s suffrage
and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act aimed to overcome legal barriers
at all levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to
vote, 2020 is the year to inspire every woman to vote – women of all races,
ages and regions of the country.
Making
those phone calls and sending the messages to people we know and who trust us
is more fun if we are eating Votemeal
cookies.
Karen’s Votemeal Cookie Recipe
|
Ingredients ·
1.5 cups flour ·
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon [optional] ·
1 teaspoon baking soda ·
1 teaspoon salt ·
1 cup [2 sticks] soft butter ·
1 cup brown sugar ·
½ cup granulated sugar ·
2 large eggs ·
2 teaspoons vanilla extract ·
1 tablespoon molasses ·
3 cups rolled oats ·
1 ¾ cups combination chocolate chips, peanut butter chips &
chopped pecans. And sometimes shaved coconut |
What to do · Preheat the oven to 355°F. Lightly grease baking
sheet(s). · Beat together the butter until smooth. Add sugar and
beat about 2 minutes · Beat in the egg, then the molasses and vanilla. · Combine in separate bowl the flour, cinnamon, baking
soda and salt · Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well · Add and mix well the oats and chips, nuts & coconut · You can cover a chill in the refrigerator. · Drop 1” dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, · Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes. · Remove the cookies from the oven, and cool right on the
pan, or on a rack. |
Made especially for you by Karen Mulhauser
South Floyds Fork Vision Meeting
6 pm Monday March 25. 2017
Check out this link - paste in your browser (https://louisvilleky.gov/events/south-floyds-fork-vision-plan-open-house-councilmen-benson-piagentini-engel-host-meeting).South Floyds Fork Plan Meetings
Advisory Group: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 6-8:30 Jeffersontown Firehouse
Advisory Group: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 6-8:30 (Jeffersontown Firehouse)
SFFV Open House: Monday, March 25, 2019 from 6-9 (Gheens Foundation Building, The Parklands; 1421 Beckley Creek Parkway)
Children of One of Our Members Have Been Working to Improve Floyds Fork Creek, Meeting With Govenment
Officals and Working With Kentukey Heirs To Our Oceans
See photos and follow link below for more information
https://www.kentuckyheirstoouroceans.com/
Invasive Fish With Teeth Threatens Endangered Kentucky Mussels
(Click Above Link to Read About Invasive Fish with Teeth 89.3 WFPL)
Look what happened.
FFEA works in Bullitt County with Neighbors fighting Rogers Rock Quarry to keep this business further away from their homes in a karst area along Floyds Fork Creek and for more transparency from the company for a few years. Teena said, "Only with the great help of Tom FitzGerald, Director of Kentucky Resources Council's legal expertise was this outcome possible (see his Newsletter article of 9-1-17).
Chris Sansbury, neighborhood leader of Bullitt Citizens NeighborhoodS Coalition said, "KRC and a community effort by neighbors, Teena Halbig and the FLOYDS FORK ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION made all those things possible!"
KRC Newsletter article of 9-1-17:
Rogers Group dba Bullitt County Stone
A settlement agreement in non-coal permit challenge brought by Chris Sansbury and Grover Vorbrink against Bullitt County Stone will result in additional protections for Petitioners and their neighborhood outside of Shepherdsville.
Under the Settlement, the Petitioners gain the ability to enforce compliance by Rogers with zoning restrictions that had previously been enforceable only by the City of Hillview.
Additionally, a 1,000-foot setback on any surface operations or facilities, excepting ventilation shafts required by MSHA can be within 750 feet provided that they are bermed to limit noise. A state permit amendment is required for any proposed surface operations or facilities. All residents on Castlerock Drive will be offered a pre-blast survey, and Rogers will share a blasting schedule and provide email notice for any unscheduled blasts. Finally, certain roads are agreed upon as off-limits
for truck traffic, and the parties have agreed to monthly local meetings to share information and concerns – an effort to build a more positive relationship apart from regulatory matters.
In a recent email, Chris Sansbury reported that the pre-blast surveys had been completed and that they had begun the neighborhood meetings with Rogers. He said “I am optimistic that things will continue to improve because of the meetings you made possible!”
The South Floyds Fork Area Study is an ongoing process resulting in a visionary plan that will provide guidance for authentic, healthy, equitable, sustainable, and well-connected growth in the South Floyds Fork area. The recently completed 4,000 acre Parklands of Floyds Fork is a transcendent asset for Louisville that includes four major parks linked by a park drive, an urban trail system, and watershed. The Parklands will spur development and increase population in the area. The South Floyds Fork Area Plan will serve as a guide for future development and infrastructure investments in and around the study area.
Louisville Metro has contracted Fregonese Associates as the lead consultant to facilitate this process. An Advisory Group has been recommended by Metro Councilman Stuart Benson, and appointed by Mayor Fischer, to assist in the guidance of this update.
Click here to find organizational chart of the South Floyds ForkThe approximate study area is bordered by Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road to the north and south and the Gene Snyder Expressway and the county line to the west and east.The first neighborhood advisory group meeting of the South Floyds Fork Area Plan will be held Wednesday, August 2nd from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the 2nd floor community room of the Jeffersontown Fire Department (10540 Watterson Trail). This meeting is open to the public.ADVISORY GROUP AGENDA
Bluebird Box Outing finds Bugs, Bees, Critters and BIRDS!
Photos courtesy of Barbara Woerner
1. Praying mantis that is brown (different species than the green ones)
2. Bee on vegetation - photo so good you can see the pollen on the bee!
3. Frog defending any bird coming to nest in this Bluebird box! Actually, these frogs continue to be in the opening of two bird boxes on numerous outings!
4. Carolina Wren offspring? - these nestlings might be 2 days old and are very hungry!! Mother heard nearby
5. American Snout Butterfly
.
JOIN THE WAR ON TICKS
Do your part to help stop the spread of tick-borne disease by catching and sending ticks to the Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
Put the tick (dead or alive) in a ziplock bag, along with a wet cotton ball or paper towel.
Fill out an information card, provided online at www.bayarealyme.org, then send it all in.
Reference: Courier-Journal Parade Picks, 5-7-17
“Pet Care”
By Dr. Pat Kennedy
Fern Creek Medical Center, 6902 Bardstown Road, Lou. 40291, 499-6535
Jefferson Animal Center, 4504 Outer Loop, Lou. 40219, 966-4104, Open 24 hrs.
www.jeffersonanimanhospitals.com, www.LouisvilleVets.com//
#LouisvilleVets, @LouisvilleVets//
Q: I just found a tick on my puppy? Help! How do I get it off safely and can I catch anything?
A: Springtime is definitely the peak time for Ticks and yes, there are several serious diseases that both you and your pet can suffer from. There are 15 species of ticks in North America but only a few that can affect you or your dog: the American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, Deer or Blacklegged tick and Brown Dog Tick. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease,Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Anaplasmosis, all serious diseases of people and pets
There are several excellent preventatives for your pets such as Seresto Flea/tick collar, Frontline Plus, Brevecto and Nexguard. Walking through the woods or tall grass is a quick way to have ticks attach to your body or your pet. We recommend vaccinating your dog for Lyme disease if you do any camping, hunting or walking in the woods.
Removing a tick with blunt tweezers or disposable gloves is recommended. If you must use your fingers, shield them with a tissue or paper towel. Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, reducing the possibility of the head detaching which may increase the chances of infection. Do not twist or jerk the tick but pull straight out. Applying some medicinal alcohol can cause the tick to loosen its grip. Wash your hands after removing the tick and be sure to check all over your pet’s body for additional parasites. Check our website www.jeffersonanimalhospital.com/library for more information about ticks and tick borne diseases
Q: Both of my dogs and my cat go out in my back yard. What are some of the potential problems this Spring that I should be aware of?
A: This is a GREAT question. Garden toxins such as fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides can be a big problem. Although pesticides are much safer than 30 years ago, they often can cause vomiting and diarrhea. And fertilizers often contain iron which can be a problem. Check the ingredients list and look for antidote instructions.
Moldy foods that your pet finds outdoors can create huge problems if your pet gets into your compost bin that has decomposed dairy or meat products. Symptoms can start within 30 minutes including panting, drooling, nausea and tremors.
Mole and gopher baits are very toxic to your pet. It only takes a very small amount to cause significant and often fatal effects. They contain zinc phosphide or bromethalin and there is no antidote. The bromethalin baits are often found as a gummy worm shaped strip.
Snail and slug baits contain metaldehyde and can be pellets, powder, granules or liquid. They cause extreme tremor, seizures and fever. Treatment requires intensive care hospitalization.
Mulch can be toxic as well as cause an obstruction in the bowels. Cocoa bean mulch is the worst due to the methylzanthine (theobromine and caffeine) content.
If you change your car’s antifreeze or coolant solutions this Spring, be aware that these products are highly fatal to dogs and cats if they drain into in your driveway. Even a drop can be fatal if ingested by your pet. It’s sweet tasting and odorless and contains Ethylene Glycol. Signs can occur within 30 minutes including incoordination, seizures, coma and death. Time is critical to start any treatments so please call us as soon as you are aware of your pet’s possible ingestion. And ask your local auto and grocery story to stock non-toxic antifreeze products.
Some vegetable plants are not safe for pets. Tomato plants (not the ripe fruit) can cause gastrointestinal irritation ataxia and weakness. Rhubarb leaves can cause kidney failure in large doses. Onions and garlic can result in red blood cell destruction and anemia. Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure. Wild mushrooms can cause vomiting/diarrhea and neurological symptoms in people and animals.
To be safe always call one of the Pet Poison Control Numbers: ASPCA 888-426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6680. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a chemical or toxin, there is a fee for contacting these services but the advice and treatment recommendations can be lifesaving for your pet.
FFEA's Bluebird Trails Project
Bluebird eggs
Wikipedia 2-23-2017
Male Eastern Bluebird
By William H. Majoros - Own work
Will you help feed the Bluebirds?
Can you make a donation toward the plantings for food?
FFEA will be providing plantings for winter food due to the lack of insects to forage on in colder weather.
Winter food sources are dogwood, hawthorn, wild grapes, sumac and hackberry seeds. Feel free to donate a tree! or provide funds for them
Also Fosteri #2 (female) holly provides lots of berries for late winter and early spring
American Bittersweet
FFEA Bluebird Project Volunteers would like to have several dogwood trees to plant. Would you want to volunteer to help plant the trees? We welcome your help!
If you want to become an FFEA member, that is also appreciated
Facts about Eastern Bluebirds:
live 6-10 years
size is 6.5 to 8.5 inches
wingspan 9.8 to 12.6 inches
weight .84 to 1 ounce
males are bright blue
male's call is a soft warble of "jeew" or "chir-wi" or melodious song chiti WEET wewidoo"
mate in spring and summer
broods are typically 2 per season
