Saturday, July 18, 2015

DICKINSON BAYOU NEEDS TO BE SAVED, NO MORE TREATED OR NON TREATED WATER DISCHARGE PERMITS

DICKINSON BAYOU NEEDS TO BE SAVED, NO MORE TREATED OR NON TREATED WATER DISCHARGE PERMITS

 
Workshop to look at efforts to protect, improve Dickinson Bayou
 
By Annette Baird
 
Updated 1:10 pm, Tuesday, July 14, 2015
 
The almost 23-mile-long Dickinson Bayou with its numerous tributaries, including Gum Bayou, Cedar Creek and associated wetlands play a vital role in the area's ecosystem as well as providing recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing and swimming.
 
But the 100-square-mile watershed, from which water flows into Dickinson and Galveston bays, has been tested with unacceptably high levels of bacteria, posing possible health and environmental risks.
 
Livestock, faulty septic systems, agricultural activities, urban run-off and waste from pets and wildlife such as feral hogs have pushed bacteria levels upward, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
 
Water-quality experts hope to increase awareness of the pollution and how to reduce it through an upcoming workshop to educate residents, educators and professionals such as geoscientists about what they can do to protect, preserve and restore water quality in the watershed and bayou.
 
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with Clear Creek Independent School District will host the Texas Watershed Steward workshop from 8 a.m. to noon July 21 at Clear Falls High School, 4380 Village Way, in League City.
 
The workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas but will primarily focus on area water quality issues, including current efforts to improve and protect Dickinson Bayou. There will be a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution and ways to improve water quality, as well as a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.
 
"We want to educate people about the best management practices," said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the TWS program, which is funded through a Clean Water Act grant from the Texas State Soil and Conservation Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.
 
Kuitu said pollution from industrial facilities is easier to identify and monitor, whereas pollution from other sources is much more difficult to address.
 
He said the amount of bacteria varies depending on numerous factors such as rainfall levels.
 
"We look at measurements to see how they trend over time," Kuitu said.
 
The workshop is part of a four-day summer training program about awareness of watersheds and wetlands for educators in Clear Creek ISD.
 
Terri Berry, the district's secondary science coordinator, said the workshop aligns with the district's science curriculum and supports what teachers are doing at the district's retention pond and wetlands site, created a few years ago behind Education Village on Village Way.
 
Berry said the training program as a whole will give teachers a deeper understanding of water stewardship so that they can help their students make the most of work with the retention facility and help instill a desire to improve and preserve wetlands areas where they live.
 
"We are trying to create awareness of the watershed and how what you do in your yard and at your house can influence a huge area," Berry said.
 
The free workshop provides an opportunity to earn continuing education credits for professionals, including engineers, certified crop advisers, certified planners, landscape architects, professional geoscientists, Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, certified teachers, certified floodplain managers and some TCEQ occupational license holders.
 
To register for the workshop, visit tws.tamu.edu/workshops/registration.
 
 
 
The almost 23-mile-long Dickinson Bayou with its numerous tributaries, including Gum Bayou, Cedar Creek and associated wetlands play a vital role in the area's ecosystem as well as providing recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing and swimming.
 
But the 100-square-mile watershed, from which water flows into Dickinson and Galveston bays, has been tested with unacceptably high levels of bacteria, posing possible health and environmental risks.
 
Livestock, faulty septic systems, agricultural activities, urban run-off and waste from pets and wildlife such as feral hogs have pushed bacteria levels upward, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
 
what about the industry’s along Dickinson bayou that get permits to dump more pollution into a water way that is already polluted ?
 
what about the ones that are already there ?
 
enough is enough.
 
what about the dredging that HL&P or HP Robbinson was suppose to do to keep the mouth of Dickinson Bayou open, so that Bayou could flush?
 
what about the inlet and outlet that use to flow water through the power plant, that drained Dickinson bayou to the Bacliff Side and helped the water oxygen levels when it was flowing, now it’s dead and filled in, what happened there?
 
who’s asleep at the wheel?
 
 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
 
 
 
Clean Harbors San Leon, Inc. 2700 Avenue S. San Leon, Texas 77539
 
PERMIT NO. WQ0004086000
 
Location of facility
 
 
 


SEE ALSO ;

 
REFERENCES AND HISTORY
 
 
From: Roger Miranda
 
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 4:28 PM
 
To: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
 
Cc: mailto:cyork@tamu.edu ; Linda Broach
 
Subject: RE: NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
Dear Mr. Singeltary,
 
We have received your comment. It will be accepted as part of public comment on the Dickinson Bayou and Tidal Tributaries Bacteria TMDL I-Plan and you will receive a response from the TCEQ after the end of the Public Comment Period.
 
Also, please feel free to contact me anytime.
 
Sincerely,
 
Roger Miranda, P.G. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MC203 P.O. BOX 13087 Austin, Texas 78711-3087 (512) 239-6278 (voice) (512) 239-1414 (fax) Roger.Miranda@tceq.texas.gov
 
 
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
Singeltary Comment ;
 
The TCEQ efforts to bring back quality water, instead of polluted water to the Dickinson Bayou and it’s Tributaries, are greatly appreciated. However, I think it all will be futile, IF the Dickinson Bayou is not dredged out to where the water can flow freely with the tidal movements.
 
We all know that Dickinson Bayou is and has been blocked up for some time. Dickinson Bayou is like peeing in your own bathtub. eventually, you have to pull the plug. the water has been bad for some time due to not much tidal movement in and out of the spillway inlet and outlet. Via the FOIA, I received the HL&P construction permits back in the 60’s, and the dredging that the Army Corp of engineers said would come, and be maintained constantly, never happened. This constant maintaining of a dredge was to be done all the way to the ship channel, to prevent just what has happened, and it says so in the permit. In my opinion, all the precautions put forth in this plan, will be futile and for nothing, IF this dredge is not finally done, and I mean properly, all the way to the ship channel, as was stipulated in the permit, and maintained. just look at the problems in the past we have had with flounder fish kills along the Bacliff and San Leon Shore Lines, and fish kills inside of Dickinson Bayou. something is wrong, something has been wrong for years, and I believe that due to Dickinson Bayou not being dredged and maintained properly, to allow for a maximum flow, by HL&P is/was a cause to a great many of our problems in Dickinson Bayou, and surrounding waters. I also believe that HL&P should foot the total bill for this, or the Army Corp of engineers, for not making sure HL&P maintained the dredge over the past 5 decades or so. ...
 
Thank You,
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas 77518 flounder9@verizon.net
 
 
==============================================
 
Executive Summary
 
On February 8th, 2012, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) adopted Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries (Segments 1103, 1103A, 1103B, 1103C, 1104). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) on June 6th, 2012. This Implementation Plan (I-Plan) de-scribes the strategy and activities watershed stakeholders and the TCEQ will carry out to improve water quality in Dickinson Bayou and three of its tidal tributaries.
 
This I-Plan is based on the TMDL report and its subsequent revisions, which are documented in updates to the state’s Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP). The TMDL identified potential regulated and unregulated sources of indicator bac-teria. Regulated dischargers in the Dickinson Bayou watershed include domestic wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary sewer overflows, industrial facilities, a municipal solid waste facility, and regulated stormwater dischargers. Potential un-regulated bacteria sources identified in the TMDL include livestock, wildlife, exotic animals, domestic pets, and malfunctioning on-site sewage facilities.
 
This implementation plan, or I-Plan:
 
 describes the steps watershed stakeholders and the TCEQ will take to achieve the pollutant reductions necessary to restore and protect water quality,
 
 identifies the means by which these activities will be implemented,
 
 outlines the schedule for implementation of these activities, and
 
 describes how stakeholders and the TCEQ will track implementation of these activities and monitor improvements in water quality.
 
The ultimate goal of this I-Plan is the reduction of bacteria concentrations in each of the assessment units of Dickinson Bayou Tidal (Segment 1103), Bensons Bayou (1103A), Bordens Gully (1103B), and Geisler Bayou (1103C) and Dickinson Bayou Above Tidal (Segment 1104) to levels that meet the criteria defined in the state wa-ter quality standards to support contact recreation.
 
In concert with the TCEQ, the stakeholders of the Dickinson Bayou watershed de-veloped seven management measures and four control actions that will be used to reduce bacteria contributions.
 
Implementation Plan for Eight TMDLs for Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries
 
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 2 For Public Comment, September 2013
 
Management Measures (Voluntary Activities)
 
1) Improve management of on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs).
 
2) Improve wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs).
 
3) Promote increased participation in existing conservation and cost-share pro-grams.
 
4) Restore and repair riparian zones.
 
5) Preserve and restore natural wetlands.
 
6) Construct treatment wetlands.
 
7) Provide demonstrations and encourage installation of stormwater best man-agement practices including rain gardens, bioswales, and rain water harvesting.
 
Control Action (Regulatory Activities)
 
1) Implement stricter bacteria limits and stricter enforcement measures for WWTF effluents.
 
2) Increase compliance and enforcement by the TCEQ.
 
3) Revise penalties and violations for sanitary sewer system (SSSs) and WWTFs.
 
4) Improve reporting requirements for sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
 
This I-Plan identifies responsible parties, technical and financial needs, monitoring and outreach efforts, and a schedule of activities for each management measure and control action. It describes the process that the TCEQ and stakeholders will use to assess progress and adjust the plan periodically.
 
The TCEQ will track the progress of this I-Plan in restoring the affected use. Water quality data will be collected for five years to identify trends and compliance with the water quality standards. If standards are not attained by the end of the moni-toring period, the TCEQ and watershed stakeholders should reevaluate the TMDL and the I-Plan and take appropriate action. The TCEQ will report the results of im-plementation tracking and evaluation on its web site, at regional forums and to stakeholders as needed.
 
Introduction
 
snip...
 
 
 
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. [mailto:flounder9@verizon.net]
 
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 2:49 PM
 
To: cyork@tamu.edu Cc: Roger Miranda; Linda Broach
 
Subject: NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
 
 
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
 
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 2:40 PM
 
To: rules@tceq.texas.gov
 
Subject: NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
please accept my comment...kind regards, terry
 
 
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
 
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 12:56 PM
 
To: tmdl@tceq.texas.gov
 
Cc: Roger.Miranda@tceq.texas.gov
 
Subject: NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
 
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
 
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ or commission) has made available for public comment a draft Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries.
 
 
The purpose of the public meeting is to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries in Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
 
 
The Implementation Plan is a flexible tool that governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in TMDL implementation will use to guide their program management. The commission requests comment on each of the major components of the Implementation Plan: description of control actions and management measures, implementation strategy and tracking, review strategy, and communication strategy. After the public comment period, TCEQ may revise the draft Implementation Plan, if appropriate. The final Implementation Plan will then be considered for approval by the commission. Upon approval of the Implementation Plan by the commission, the Implementation Plan will be made available on the TCEQ Web site.
 
 
A public comment meeting for the draft Implementation Plan will be held on September 12, 2013, at 6:30 p.m., at City of Dickinson, City Council Chambers, 4403 Highway 3, Dickinson, Texas 77539.
 
 
At this meeting, individuals have the opportunity to present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. An agency staff member will give a brief presentation at the start of the meeting and will be available to answer questions before and after all public comments have been received. Written comments should be submitted to Roger Miranda, Water Quality Planning Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, MC 203, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas, 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-1414. Comments may be submitted electronically to www5.tceq. texas.gov/rules/ecomments by midnight on October 7, 2013, and should reference the Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries.
 
 
For further information regarding the proposed Implementation Plan, please contact Roger Miranda at (512) 239-6278 or Roger.Miranda@tceq.texas.gov. Copies of the draft Implementation Plan will be available and can be obtained via the commission's Web site at: www.tceq.texas.gov/implementation/water/tmdl/tmdlnews.html or by calling (512) 239-6682.
 
 
Persons with disabilities who have special communication or other
 
 
 
 
 
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
 
Adopted February 8, 2012Approved by EPA June 6, 2012
 
Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries
 
 
 
 
Adopted February 8, 2012 Approved by EPA June 6, 2012
 
Implementation Plan for Eight Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in Dickinson Bayou and Three Tidal Tributaries
 
 
 
 
Greetings TCEQ et al,
 
I would kindly like to comment on this NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES, and my comments are as follows. please be advised that I tried submitting this comment to ;
 
 
 
 
it said it would not accept any html, Error Message: Please do not use HTML in the body of your comments.
 
and even after removing all the html links, the form still would not let me submit. so I submit my comments to you as follows ;
 
 
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS BACTERIA IN DICKINSON BAYOU AND THREE TIDAL TRIBUTARIES
 
Singeltary Comment ;
 
 
The TCEQ efforts to bring back quality water, instead of polluted water to the Dickinson Bayou and it’s Tributaries, are greatly appreciated. However, I think it all will be futile, IF the Dickinson Bayou is not dredged out to where the water can flow freely with the tidal movements.
 
We all know that Dickinson Bayou is and has been blocked up for some time. Dickinson Bayou is like peeing in your own bathtub. eventually, you have to pull the plug. the water has been bad for some time due to not much tidal movement in and out of the spillway inlet and outlet. Via the FOIA, I received the HL&P construction permits back in the 60’s, and the dredging that the Army Corp of engineers said would come, and be maintained constantly, never happened. This constant maintaining of a dredge was to be done all the way to the ship channel, to prevent just what has happened, and it says so in the permit. In my opinion, all the precautions put forth in this plan, will be futile and for nothing, IF this dredge is not finally done, and I mean properly, all the way to the ship channel, as was stipulated in the permit, and maintained. just look at the problems in the past we have had with flounder fish kills along the Bacliff and San Leon Shore Lines, and fish kills inside of Dickinson Bayou. something is wrong, something has been wrong for years, and I believe that due to Dickinson Bayou not being dredged and maintained properly, to allow for a maximum flow, by HL&P is/was a cause to a great many of our problems in Dickinson Bayou, and surrounding waters. I also believe that HL&P should foot the total bill for this, or the Army Corp of engineers, for not making sure HL&P maintained the dredge over the past 5 decades or so. ...
 
Thank You,
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas 77518 flounder9@verizon.net
 
 
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
 
Dickinson Bayou: A TMDL Project and Use Assessment for Bacteria Troubled Waters
 
Dickinson Bayou: A TMDL Project and Use Assessment for Bacteria
 
 
 
Saturday, August 11, 2012
 
Galveston County BACLIFF TEXAS FLOUNDER FISH KILL MASSIVE AUGUST 11, 2012
 
(see video of the dead flounder floating)
 
 
VIDEO FLOUNDER KILL
 
Galveston County BACLIFF TEXAS FLOUNDER FISH KILL MASSIVE AUGUST 11, 2012
 
see video of massive flounder kill with Seabreeze article September 6, 2012 ; Thousands of Flounder Killed on San Leon Bacliff Shoreline (AGAIN)
 
 
 
additional sources for flounder kill video;
 
 
 
September 6, 2012
 
 
 
Thousands of Flounder Killed on San Leon Bacliff Shoreline (AGAIN)
 
There was a major flounder kill on August 12th, 2012. Flounder up to 4 pounds were floating down the shoreline of the San Leon/Bacliff area. “This is the 6th year in a row that this has happened” said angry Bacliff resident, Terry Singletary. He said, “I’ve reported it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2010, 2011 and of course this year in 2012. It is not the red tide.” I agree with him. He also reported it to the Galveston Bay Foundation. Their representative told Singletary that they were very concerned and that they would look into it. As of press time, he has not heard back from them.
 
The only thing killed and floating this year again was thousands of flounder. The red tide kills a variety of fish. Mr. Singletary reported to the Seabreeze, along with resident Robert Redfield last year, and we reported on it. This year Singletary reported it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife in Dickinson and also to the T.P & W. laboratory on Todville Road. He has pictures and videos. He talked to the Dickinson office of Texas Parks and Wildlife on August 14th and on the same day he sent them pictures and a video. Three days later they returned his call. They tried to convince him, like they did in 2010, that it is a blue algae bloom. Singletary asked them if they saw the video. The biologist said they have not even looked at it. He called the laboratory on Todville and they did not even want him to send them the video. The lady said, “If we want to look at the video we will ask you for it at a later date.” Two weeks later they are still not interested.
 
The flounder kill appears to have started around the HL&P Spillway mouth dumping into Galveston Bay. This morning as this paper was being printed, I was in my boat with a representative from an independent lab catching mud samples from each end of the H.L.& P. canal. We do not know where the contamination is coming from but at least we are doing something about it unlike the Texas Parks and Wildlife who are once again sitting on their ass doing nothing.
 
As we reach press time, September the 5th, we are waiting on the results of these samples. We already know that the H.L.&P. canal was not dug to the specifications of the original permit. The canal was required to tie into Dickinson Bayou on one end and they were to dig the Bayou out wide and 18 feet deep all the way to the channel. This side called the “inlet” side of the canal was not properly dug according to the permit. Two miles up from the Dickinson Bayou bridge, the bayou runs 20 feet deep or more. On the “Bay” side of the Dickinson Bayou bridge it averages 8 feet in depth. As anybody should know, water does not run uphill. So, all containments would stay in the bayou unable to escape. A good question would be who was overseeing the digging of the H.L.&P. canal and why did no one catch this colossal mistake? Or was it a mistake at all?
 
As of this time we have not jumped to any conclusions and we are not saying that the canal is at fault for the flounder kills. We will have to wait until the sample results are returned.
 
Dickinson Bayou is almost completely dead. The state has posted signs at all boat ramps saying do not eat fish from this bayou or swim in the water. Does this sound like a healthy vibrant bayou to you? We have been fighting a new sewer plant proposed to dump an additional one million gallons per day of treated water into Dickinson Bayou. Do you think this bayou can take any more abuse and survive? What do you readers think of this? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
 
We will be reporting on this next month as we know more.
 
Steve
 
 
 
On May 10, 1972, Mr. D. E. Simmons, Vice President of Environmental and Inter-Utility Affairs for Houston Lighting and Power stated in writing to the Corp of Engineers that
 
 
"continued maintenance is planned." In response, the Corp of Engineers issued a Public Notice on November 9, 1972 announcing plans for the HL&P proposals which included the obligation for the utility company to perform continued maintenance dredging. It was understood and agreed upon that the utility would maintain the canal by periodically dredging it and the adjoining bayou, in order to prevent what has now happened. As stated earlier, no such dredging has ever been performed since that 1972 statement. Due to the fact that the dredging maintenance was never performed, the HL&P canal and Dickinson Bayou have both filled in on the ends. This has caused what is called a ''Hydraulic Effect". Hydraulic Effect on Dickinson Bayou means the bayou is twenty-five to thirty feet deep until it gets close to the bay where it shoals to just six or eight feet. That that the bayou cannot ever flow correctly and get properly flushed out. All of the sediment from runoff collects into the mud of the bayou (ie: fertilizer, pesticides, and the waste from the sewer plants.) If the mouth of this bayou and both sides of the HL&P canal were continually dredged as stipulated in the original permit, this hydraulic effect would not be in play. If the bayou was dredged as stipulated in the permit, the lab analyst said that Dickinson Bayou would healing itself immediately. He said, "Mother Nature will eat up all the black muck with natural bacteria once there is a normal oxygen level and good tidal flow. This applies to the canal as well.
 
 
Dickinson Bayou and the shoreline can be fixed. It can be a vibrant, aquatic productive estuary once again. Dolphins, alligators, and all manner of wildlife once lived there. The reason our bayou has died is because someone didn't do what they said they were going to do, what they were in fact obligated to do legally.
 
 
Who is responsible for this major screw-up? I believe it is a combination of HL&P not doing the dredging they agreed to do, and the Army Corps of Engineers not verifying that work was performed. It all has to do with money. We have put all of the documentation on our web site. To see the flounder kill video and copies of the permits and the drawings of the proposed dredging that was never done please visit ; www.SeabreezeNews.com/bayou
 
 
You do not need to be a subscriber to see this information.
 
 
A special thanks to Terry Singeltary of Bacliff for all of his help and support. Also, thanks to Texas A&M Galveston Marine Biology Department for their input. We are not finished with our investigation. Look for continued coverage in the next issue of the Seabreeze News. We will be in contact with the Galveston Bay Foundation and their attorney, seeking their knowledge and expertise.
 
 
We hope to find some way to open up Dickinson Bayou and both sides of the HL&P canal in order to facilitate the healing and restoration of our bayou and shorelines, as was expressly promised in the contract.
 
 
I have never been a ''tree hugger", but we cannot stand by and allow our coastal waters to be destroyed in the name of the almighty dollar, especially when the solution to the main problem is so simple. If you have any information to share or "comments please write us at the Seabreeze News or send an email to: steve@Seabreezenews.com. Steve Hoyland Sr. www.SeabreezeNews.com Spillway inlet outlet canal Permit 5972 Hwy 146 Bacliff Texas pdf file HL&P HP ROBINSON Spillway inlet outlet canal Permit 5972 Hwy 146 Bacliff Texas pdf file
 
 
Department of the Army December 9, 1963
 
 
 
 
 
August 6, 2010
 
Got Flounder? Not in San Leon.
 
During the month of July, flounder and stingray have been floating up dead all along the San Leon/Bacliff shoreline on the north side. Our freelance reporter, Terry Singeltary, ob- served dead flounder floating by in groups of twos and three's with an occasional five or six. These are big, mature flounder, from two to seven pounds. Along with these flounder, dead stingrays have been seen floating by. Mr. Bobby Redfield, who lives on Bayshore Drive, also observed the same thing and gave me a call. This went on for several days. We received eight more calls where someone people left messages regarding dead flounder floating around the spillway, but did not leave their names and numbers. Our reporter contacted Lance Robinson, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist located at the Dickinson office and expressed his concern about the destruction of these fish. Mr. Robinson said that they were aware of this problem and knew the cause. It turns out that a water treatment plant in the Bacliff area has a discharge pipeline that dumps into the HL&P outlet canal and goes out by way of the spillway and follows the tide. Since there is no longer any pressured flow discharging from HL&P, the chemicals from this treated water build up, removing all of the oxygen from the bottom of the water along the shoreline. The fish that live on the bottom of the bay, like flounder and stingray, cannot survive. This has been going on for years and has not been addressed. With the three sewer plants dumping into Dickinson Bayou and the de- pletion of flounder it makes you wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to put another sewer plant dumping into our precious, fragile resources. Mr. Robinson said they were having a meeting on this very subject. The meeting was to take place one week ago from this newspaper printing. Our reporter has put a call in to Mr. Robinson three days prior to this publication and at this time has not been called back. Maybe the Texas Parks and Wildlife has to contact the CCA and ask them how they should handle it. As we know more, you will know more. Do you fisherman ever wonder why there may be a shortage of flounder? With all of the sewer plants up and down the Texas coast dumping water treatment chemicals into our bays, creeks, rivers, bayous, estuaries, it's no wonder that the flounder are disappearing. What are you going to do about it Texas Parks & Wildlife? Are you going to keep cutting back the limits with the fisherman until you stop fishing for flounder forever, or are you actually going to address the problem? It's time for you Texas fishermen to wake up and let your voices be heard.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Subject: The TCEQ Proposes Removal of Two Pollutants from the Texas City APWL Area--Benzene and Hydrogen Sulfide
 
The TCEQ Proposes Removal of Two Pollutants from the Texas City APWL Area--Benzene and Hydrogen Sulfide
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Central Registry Query - Regulated Entity Information

 

Regulated Entity Information

 

RN Number: RN100890235 Name: DURATHERM View Prior Names Primary Business: STORMWATER INDUSTRIAL

 

Street Address: 2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON TX 77539

 

County: GALVESTON Nearest City: TEXAS CITY State: TX Near ZIP Code: 77539 Physical Location: INTX OF 27TH AND AVENUE S ABOUT .75 MI OF HWY 146 IN SAN LEON 2700 AVENUE S SAN LEON KEY MAP 661Y

 

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CN600564165 DURATHERM INC OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation Info CN600564165 DURATHERM INC OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation Info CN603349820 DURATHERM ASSET ACQUISITION CORP OWNER OPERATOR Affiliation Info

 

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562211 NAICS Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal 1311 SIC Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas 4953 SIC Refuse Systems 9999 SIC Nonclassifiable Establishments

 

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AIR EMISSIONS INVENTORY ACCOUNT NUMBER GB0101M ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS ACCOUNT NUMBER GB0101M ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS AFS NUM 4816700042 ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS PERMIT 7237 CANCELLED AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS REGISTRATION 14291 ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS REGISTRATION 85676 ACTIVE AIR NEW SOURCE PERMITS REGISTRATION 87443 ACTIVE IHW CORRECTIVE ACTION SOLID WASTE REGISTRATION # (SWR) 34814 INACTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE EPA ID TXD981053770 ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT 50355 ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE SOLID WASTE REGISTRATION # (SWR) 34814 ACTIVE POLLUTION PREVENTION PLANNING ID NUMBER P03840 ACTIVE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM/SUPPLY REGISTRATION 0840217 ACTIVE USED OIL EPA ID TXD981053770 ACTIVE USED OIL REGISTRATION A86130 ACTIVE WASTEWATER EPA ID TX0117757 ACTIVE WASTEWATER PERMIT WQ0004086000 ACTIVE WATER LICENSING LICENSE 0840217 INACTIVE

 

 

 

 

 


 

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Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355

 

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Commissioners' Actions Correspondence Tracking Effective Enforcement Orders

 

Central Registry

 

Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355

 

For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)

 

2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON Permit Status: ACTIVE

 

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Effective Enforcement Orders Current TCEQ Rules

 

Type

 

Effective Date

 

Docket Number

 

Citation/Requirement Provision

 

Violation Allegation

 

Classification

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 279, SubChapter I, PT 279, SubPT E 279.51 ; 40 CFR Chapter 279, SubChapter I, PT 279, SubPT E 279.73 ; 30 TAC Chapter 324, SubChapter A 324.12(2) (Not applicable to CH) Failed to obtain a used oil registration and EPA ID. No. prior to conducting used oil activities, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 324.12(2) and 40 CFR §§ 279.51 and 279.73, as documented during an investigation conducted on September 29, 2011. MODERATE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 262, SubChapter I, PT 262, SubPT B 262.20 ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(4) ; PERMIT II-C-1-h (Not applicable to CH) Failed to use a new manifest for rejected wastes, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 335.152(a)(4) and 40 CFR § 262.20 and IHW Permit No. 50355, Provision No. II-C-1-h, as documented during an investigation conducted on September 29, 2011. Specifically, waste manifests 005440020 JJK, 005373755 JJK, and 006442062 JJK were received and partially rejected, then sent back to generator without a new manifest MODERATE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 264, SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT CC 264.1089(b) ; 40 CFR Chapter 265, SubChapter I, PT 265, SubPT CC 265.1090(b) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter E 335.112(a)(21) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(19) (Not applicable to CH) Failed to record inspections of the air emission control equipment, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §§ 335.112(a)(21) and 335.152(a)(19) and 40 CFR §§ 264.1089(b) and 265.1090(b), as documented during an investigation conducted on September 29, 2011. Specifically, the Respondent did not maintain a record of the Subpart CC tank inspections for olfactory odors and visual observations. MODERATE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 40 CFR Chapter 264, SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT J 264.193(e)(1)(iii) ; 30 TAC Chapter 305, SubChapter F 305.125 ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(8) ; PERMIT II-C-2-h ; PERMIT V-B-3 (Not applicable to CH) Failed to maintain secondary containment free of gaps and cracks,Specifically, secondary containment A for tanks PV-18 through PV-21 had a concrete coating crack about four feet long near PV-20. Secondary containment A-1 for tanks FPV-31, the containment wall indicated some erosion and the wall edge joining the concrete base had a gap of approximately two inches. Also, the secondary containment for container storage area ("CSA")-2 Roll-off area, NOR Unit 044, Permitted unit 01, MODERATE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 09/29/2012 2012-0236-MLM-E 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter A 335.2(b) ; PERMIT IV-A and IV-B (Not applicable to CH) Failed to prevent the acceptance of a shipment of unauthorized hazardous waste at the Facility, in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 335.2(b) and IHW Permit No. 50355, Provision Nos. IV-A and IV-B, as documented during an investigation conducted on September 29, 2011. Specifically, the Respondent accepted and processed a shipment of corrosive hazardous waste (hazardous waste code D002) that the Facility was not authorized to accept and process. MODERATE

 


 

Complaints

 

Complaint Tracking #: Glossary of Terms 158471

 

Complaint Received Date: 08/25/2011 Number Complaining: 1

 

Status: Glossary of Terms CLOSED Status Date: Glossary of Terms 11/08/2011

 

Nature: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL Frequency: Glossary of Terms CURRENT Duration: Glossary of Terms ACTUAL Media: Glossary of Terms WASTE Program: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Priority: Glossary of Terms Within 30 Calendar Days Effect: Glossary of Terms ENVIRONMENTAL

 

Receiving Water Body: Glossary of Terms

 

Regulated Entity: Glossary of Terms DURATHERM County: Glossary of Terms GALVESTON

 

Description:

 

The complainant alleged that Waste (oils, metals, etc...) are poured all over the ground causing contamination. Consequently, storm water outfalls have to be contaminated. The place is a waste disposal nightmare.

 

Comment:

 

On September 20 and 27, 2011, Mr. Aron Athavaley of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Region 12-Houston Office evaluated the complaint's allegations by conducting record review and the site investigation. The complaint's allegations regarding "oil being poured on the ground" were not confirmed during this site investigation. The details of the site evaluation and regulatory issues are addressed in a separate compliance evaluation investigation (CEI) report.

 

Action Taken:

 

This incident was received by the TCEQ Houston Office and was assigned to the TCEQ Environmental Investigator, Aron Athavaley, for investigating the allegations and compliance status of the entity.

 


 

 Complaint Tracking #: Glossary of Terms 91331

 

Complaint Received Date: 05/11/2007 Number Complaining: 1

 

Status: Glossary of Terms CLOSED Status Date: Glossary of Terms 06/18/2007

 

Nature: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL Frequency: Glossary of Terms CURRENT Duration: Glossary of Terms ESTIMATED Media: Glossary of Terms WASTE Program: Glossary of Terms INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Priority: Glossary of Terms Within 30 Calendar Days Effect: Glossary of Terms ENVIRONMENTAL

 

Receiving Water Body: Glossary of Terms

 

Regulated Entity: Glossary of Terms DURATHERM County: Glossary of Terms GALVESTON

 

Description:

 

MIS-MANAGEMENT OF OILS IN SEVERAL WASTE MANAGEMENT UNITS AND UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES FROM THE CONTAINMENT AND INTO THE SITE'S DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

 

Comment:

 

INCIDENT LOCATION IS FACILITY'S DRAINAGE DITCH AT THE NORTHWESTERN SIDE OF THE PLANT AND WASTE MANAGEMENT UNITS.

 

Action Taken:

 

The complaint was investigated on June 4, 2007. Please see the investigation number 563131 for details.

 


 

Emergency Response Events Investigations Notice of Violations

 

Central Registry

 

Detail of:Industrial and Hazardous Waste Permit 50355

 

For: DURATHERM (RN100890235)

 

2700 AVENUE S, SAN LEON Permit Status: ACTIVE

 

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Notice of Violations Current TCEQ Rules

 

NOV Date

 

Status

 

Citation/Requirement Provision

 

Allegation

 

Classification

 

Self Reporting Indicator

 

02/23/2010 RESOLVED 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter A 335.9(a)(1)(G) Failed to have a description of the SAAs within the facility or during the review of the exit interview form. MODERATE NO 02/23/2010 RESOLVED 40 CFR Chapter 264, SubChapter I, PT 264, SubPT C 264.15(d) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter F 335.152(a)(1) ; PERMIT Permit Provision III.D. Failed to adequately complete daily inspection logs on tanks, loading and unloading areas, and container storage areas. MODERATE NO 02/23/2010 RESOLVED 40 CFR Chapter 262, SubChapter I, PT 262, SubPT C 262.34(a)(3) ; 30 TAC Chapter 335, SubChapter C 335.69(a)(3) Failed to properly label a three cubic yard container with the words "Hazardous Waste." MODERATE NO

 


 

 

================================================================

 

kind regards, terry

 

Terry S. Singeltary Sr.

 

 P.O. Box 42

 

 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518

 

 flounder9@verizon.net

 

 

Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Galveston County Building Codes for the Unincorporated Bacliff, Bayview, San Leon Texas

Life in unincorporated Texas isn’t all roses

 
 
BACLIFF — Terry Singeltary loves the freedom of living in unincorporated Texas — he finds life outside the city limits keeps his community small, his taxes low and people telling you what to do to a minimum.
Posted: 05/24/15
 

Life in unincorporated Texas isn’t all roses

Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2015 1:30 am
By ERIN HEFFERNAN

BACLIFF — Terry Singeltary loves the freedom of living in unincorporated Texas — he finds life outside the city limits keeps his community small, his taxes low and people telling you what to do to a minimum.
But when the structure he sometimes calls “big ugly” moved in next door, Singeltary called for limits to the area’s “anything goes” approach.

Bacliff resident Terry Singeltary is upset with the construction of a large, waterfront home built right up to the property line of his Bayshore Drive home. A second floor extension nearly extends over the property line.

 
The construction of a large, waterfront house on Bayshore Drive in Bacliff has caused flooding issues for Terry Singeltary, who lives next door.
 
The builders of the house - Trendmaker Homes - said they were fully approved by the county and followed all building guidelines in the project.

 
The owners, Ralph and Theresa Foltz, said they used one of the best builders in Houston for the project, but declined to comment about Singeltary's complaints.


snip...


"In unincorporated areas, people are entitled to put a couch in their yard” Dennard said. "Now if they light it on fire, then we can step in. But anything that is purely aesthetic, there is not much we can do. It is up to the property owners."

snip...


Anything goes


Stagli said the county's limits - especially in controlling what people can do on their land - often create neighborhood disagreements.


"Let's say you build your house next to an empty one acre lot”, Stagli said "There is nothing to prevent the guy next door from pulling in a trailer or putting in a motorcycle dirt track and running motorcycles all day and all night. A sexually oriented business could move into the neighborhood and there is nothing the county can do to stop it.”


snip...


Health and safety


Garret Foskit, the Galveston County Nuisance Abatement Officer, said beyond building there are often complaints about the upkeep of houses outside the city limits.


Still the county is prevented form stepping in until it can prove a danger to health and safety.
Grass needs to be three feet tall before it can be cut. A home needs to be proven dangerous before it can be torn down. And even then it is a complicated legal process. Foskit is in the process of demolishing the last of the abandoned homes after Hurricane Ike in 2008.


He said the county also has no power to stop the way people decorate their homes or lawns.
Signs with rude comments, political proclamations or ads are a common complaint. Cars and trailers are allowed to be parked on the grass. One home, Foskit said, even used astro turf for siding.


But for all the neighborhood battles, Foskit said people who choose to live in unincorporated areas often embrace the lack of restrictions.


"You need to know that is what you are buying when you chose to live there,” he said. "It's like buying a house next to a farm. You might smell some animal manure, but don't get mad at the farm. There are things that are different, but they are not bad differences. People like that they don't have to fit to anyone else's idea of what looks good.”


snip...see full article here ;

 
 
 
 
Thanks Erin and GDN et al. I hope your article helps stop this kind of building from happening to anyone else in Bacliff, Bayview, San Leon, or any other unincorporated area in Galveston Co. everyone I have spoken to says that there use to be a 5 foot rule, including easements, in all of Galveston County. but now they tell me there is not any building codes on property line in any unincorporated areas in Galveston County. when our old house was built, there was no fences, and or any houses on either side. people choose to do what they do, and these folks chose to build on top of us, and the county chose to let them. plus the fact of apparently, under current building rules in Galveston County, builders can build the house next door, from your property, apparently take up how ever much property of yours to build the house next door they want, for how ever long it takes, and if you don’t, then the builder threatens you, with the owners wife’s money. who does this?
 
 
I think anyone that is planning to build or to buy property over here in any of these unincorporated areas should know this, that this could happen to them. ...
 


TRENDMAKER HOMES, DON’T TREAD ON US!
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Deepwater Horizon oil spill linked to Gulf of Mexico dolphin deaths

Research Article

 

 Adrenal Gland and Lung Lesions in Gulf of Mexico Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Found Dead following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

 

PLOS

 

Published: May 20, 2015 •DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126538

 

Abstract

 

A northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) cetacean unusual mortality event (UME) involving primarily bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama began in February 2010 and continued into 2014. Overlapping in time and space with this UME was the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, which was proposed as a contributing cause of adrenal disease, lung disease, and poor health in live dolphins examined during 2011 in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. To assess potential contributing factors and causes of deaths for stranded UME dolphins from June 2010 through December 2012, lung and adrenal gland tissues were histologically evaluated from 46 fresh dead non-perinatal carcasses that stranded in Louisiana (including 22 from Barataria Bay), Mississippi, and Alabama. UME dolphins were tested for evidence of biotoxicosis, morbillivirus infection, and brucellosis. Results were compared to up to 106 fresh dead stranded dolphins from outside the UME area or prior to the DWH spill. UME dolphins were more likely to have primary bacterial pneumonia (22% compared to 2% in non-UME dolphins, P = .003) and thin adrenal cortices (33% compared to 7% in non-UME dolphins, P = .003). In 70% of UME dolphins with primary bacterial pneumonia, the condition either caused or contributed significantly to death. Brucellosis and morbillivirus infections were detected in 7% and 11% of UME dolphins, respectively, and biotoxin levels were low or below the detection limit, indicating that these were not primary causes of the current UME. The rare, life-threatening, and chronic adrenal gland and lung diseases identified in stranded UME dolphins are consistent with exposure to petroleum compounds as seen in other mammals. Exposure of dolphins to elevated petroleum compounds present in coastal GoM waters during and after the DWH oil spill is proposed as a cause of adrenal and lung disease and as a contributor to increased dolphin deaths.

 

snip...

 

In summary, UME dolphins had a high prevalence of thin adrenal gland cortices (especially in Barataria Bay dolphins) and primary bacterial pneumonia. These findings are consistent with endocrinologic and pulmonary-based observations of live bottlenose dolphins from health assessments in Barataria Bay during 2011 [11]. Previously documented or suspected contributing factors for GoM UMEs (marine biotoxins, morbillivirus, and brucellosis) were not supported by this study as contributors to the ongoing UME. Due to the timing and nature of the detected lesions, we hypothesize that contaminants from the DWH oil spill contributed to the high numbers of dolphin deaths within this oil spill’s footprint during the northern GoM UME following the DWH oil spill. Direct causes of death likely included: 1) affected adrenal gland cortices, causing chronic adrenal insufficiency, 2) increased susceptibility to life-threatening adrenal crises, especially when challenged with pregnancy, cold temperatures, and infections, and 3) increased susceptibility to primary bacterial pneumonia, possibly due to inhalation injury, aspiration of oil, or perturbations in immune function.

 


 

 Deepwater Horizon oil spill linked to Gulf of Mexico dolphin deaths Animals suffered from adrenal and lung problems that are consistent with exposure to petroleum.

 

Allie Wilkinson 20 May 2015 Large numbers of dead dolphins began washing ashore in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi in 2010.

 

More than 1,300 bottlenose dolphins have stranded themselves in the northern Gulf of Mexico since early 2010. Research now links this unusual mortality event to the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

 

The spike in dolphin deaths began shortly before the spill in April 2010, and scientists have struggled to understand whether the two events are related. A study published on 20 May in PLoS ONE finds that many of the dead animals had lung and adrenal-gland lesions that are consistent with exposure to petroleum compounds1.

 

That led the study's authors to conclude that the Deepwater Horizon spill probably drove the mass deaths. The study builds on a 2011 assessment of live dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, that revealed widespread adrenal and lung disease and general poor health2. The spill, which began with the explosion of a BP drilling rig, caused heavy and prolonged oiling in the bay.

 

snip...see full text here ;

 


 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

 

Deepwater Horizon crude oil impacts the developing hearts of large predatory pelagic fish

 


 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

 

Barge and Ship Collide off Texas City oil leaking into Galveston Bay

 

SEE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THIS BLOG DOWN BELOW...

 


 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

 

Galveston Bay Oil Spill and the IKE dike VS Rice dike

 


 

Monday, July 5, 2010

 

B.P. Gulf Oil Spill Tar Balls Hit Texas Beaches Galveston and Bolivar

 

GALVESTON, Texas, July 5, 2010

 

Gulf Oil Spill Tar Balls Hit Texas Beaches

 

State Says Responders Have Recovered About 35 Gallons of Waste Material Tainted by Oil on Beaches

 

(AP) A top Texas official said Monday that tar balls from the Gulf oil spill have been found on state beaches, marking the first known evidence that gushing crude from the Deepwater Horizon well has now reached all the Gulf states.

 

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

 


 

 Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said two crews were removing tar balls found on the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island on Sunday.

 

"We've said since day one that if and when we have an impact from Deepwater Horizon, it would be in the form of tarballs," Patterson said in a news release. "This shows that our modeling is accurate. Any Texas shores impacted by the Deepwater spill will be cleaned up quickly and BP will be picking up the tab."

 

The state said responders have recovered about 35 gallons of waste material tainted by the oil from the two sites.

 

Signs of landfall by oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill had previously only been reported in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

 

The distance between the western-most reach of the spill in Texas and the eastern-most reports of oil in Florida is about 550 miles.

 


 

 oh hell,

 

I see right out of the starting gates they are wanting to blame the tankers on bringing this B.P. oil globs to our Texas beaches. so, back to my question (part of this was omitted in the Galveston Daily News comment submission that was published due to comment length limit), BUT WHAT ABOUT Galveston Bay and all it's estuaries ?

 

tarball...(flounder)

 


 

Sunday, May 30, 2010

 

DO WE NEED AN IKE DIKE, OR A B.P. DIKE, OR BOTH

 


 


 

 

tss
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Osprey Galveston Bay Bacliff Texas 77518 meet Freedom

Osprey Galveston Bay Bacliff Texas 77518 meet Freedom


 

we call our friend that comes about 6pm regularly 'Freedom' aka 'chum maker'. i made a perch and the end of the pier looks like the floor of a seafood slaughter house, good chum for the end of the pier though. a truly majestic bird...


 

 
 
 


 



 

here is a nice article about Osprey’s ;

 

Osprey "Fishing Perfection"

 

From a hundred feet in the air, the hovering angler folded its wings, silently slipping like lightening from the sky.  Suddenly a four-foot portion of the lake thundered into prisomed plumes of diamondized droplets.  Completely immersed, the feathered predator floated to the surface, struggling to emerge with a fish in its talons.  A third, then fourth, labored wing-beat increased the height from the lake's surface.  In a remarkable finale, the fishing raptor shook off excess water, gliding ever so closely to the pool's shimmering surface again.  While positioning the fish straight ahead, torpedo-style in its talons, the Osprey began stroking upward, its wriggling prey secured.  With most efficient style, this lean, flying machine had spied its quarry and with amazing desire, just took it.  You thought your tackle box contained everything you needed to catch a fish, but this was truly an incredible display of "fishing perfection!"


Ospreys are well equipped for obtaining a meal.  They can see five times more clearly than people, so they easily spot their prey. As bow-hunters realize when spear-fishing, underwater targets are not where they appear, due to water's refraction of sunlight rays.  In flight Ospreys close the nictitating membrane, a thin layer of clear tissue like an inner eyelid, over their eyes to keep the eye moist.  During a dive the membrane protects the eye when Ospreys hit the water.  They are the only raptor with nose flaps that close, so they can go completely under the surface.  Also, Ospreys' pale-bluish toes are tipped with nature's finest fishhooks: talons, sharp as needles.  Toes have roughened protuberances or "spicules" to hold slippery fish, and outside toes are capable of swiveling backward to join the rear toe or "hallux" (two toes clamping with two toes versus the standard three toes and hallux).  This allows grasping fish torpedo style, which reduces wind resistance while in flight.   Ospreys also have the ability to lift from water, vertically, using specialized joints at wing wrists or "carpals".  These anatomical tools distinguish ospreys as unique in the raptor kingdom.  No other birds of prey combine all of these capabilities into one species.


The Osprey’s scientific name (Pandion haliaetus) comes from the mythical king of Athens, Pandion, whose daughters were turned into birds, and by the Greek words halos, referring to the sea, and aetos, or eagle.  Ospreys, commonly called fish hawks or fish eagles, are neither a true hawk nor eagle.  The species is of ancient lineage and is presently classified near the, hawk-like, kite family.  It has a worldwide range and some ornithologists call the Osprey “The Natural Citizen of the World.”  Four subspecies are presently recognized, two of which occur in North America; P.h. carolinensus in temperate North America (including Iowa) and P.h. ridgwayi in the Caribbean.  The common name Osprey is from ossifragus, a Latin word meaning “bone breaker,” referring to the strong grip of its talons.


Osprey fossils, the bones and other remains of ancient animal life, show that Ospreys have been on earth for 13 million years.  An Osprey from the past was smaller, but had a range similar to today’s Ospreys.


People have long admired the Osprey’s fishing skills and strength, incorporating Ospreys into their cultures.  Ancient Greeks thought Ospreys could predict lightning.  Asian emperors had Osprey pictures woven into palace tapestries.  In South America, native people used Osprey feathers and bones in ceremonies to guarantee fishing success.  In Canada, a Northwest Coast First Nation legend tells of a marriage between an Osprey and a whale that created the Orca whale.  An Orca is actually a large and black-and-white dolphin that jumps out of the water like a bird in flight and has a cry that sounds like an Osprey’s.  Osprey calls consist of a series of shrill, staccato whistles, gradually rising in pitch, tewp, tewp, teelee, teelee, tewp.


Ospreys are large narrow-winged, fishing raptors, weighing between 2.5 and 4.5 pounds.  An Osprey’s six-foot wingspan is so large it is sometimes mistaken for an eagle, but an Osprey’s wing is narrower and curves backward at its wrist, like the wing of a gull.  Unlike an eagle’s wing-plane, which is straight, the Osprey needs to rise out of water with a large fish and has a special joint allowing this maneuver.  In contrast to the eagle an Osprey’s forehead is smooth.  Ospreys don’t fly through trees or tall grass to catch their prey, so they don’t need the bony ridge above their eyes that other raptors have for protection.


Ospreys’ field marks are dark carpal, or wrist, patches on the underside of each wing.  The dark spots come in handy when the bird is hunting.  From a distance the dark spots look like two small gulls dipping and soaring rather than one large bird about to strike.   

                                      
An Osprey wears light feathers on the underside of its body and dark feathers on top.  The white feathers on its chest look like the light colors of the sky to its prey - any fish swimming below.  The dark colors camouflage, or hide, the Osprey from its predators, large owls that attack from above, particularly when they’re on the nest.  The brown and white barred, or evenly striped, feathers on the underside of an Osprey’s wings and tail help hide its shape in flight.  To camouflage its head, an Osprey wears dark spots on top, and a dark stripe through its eye area, like wraparound sunglasses.  This eye stripe, called a malar (MAY-ler) stripe, may reduce sun glare, like the black grease used under the eyes of athletes.  An adult Osprey’s eyes are yellow.  Its brown hooked beak, its gray legs and feet, and its black talons don’t reflect sunlight, so there’s no glare to give away its position.  An Osprey’s talons are made of keratin, the same substance as our fingernails.  If part of a talon breaks off it will slowly grow back.


Unlike many raptors, male and female Ospreys are very similar.  A female Osprey is slightly larger, and usually wears a darker necklace, or band of speckles, across her white chest that helps her hide while nesting.

While hunting, Ospreys can spot a fish two hundred feet away.  An Osprey is a strong flyer, flying with a slightly circular motion at about 25 mph. When diving for its prey, an Osprey enters the water at about 40mph and can catch a fish up to three feet underwater.  Studies report a family with two young needs four to five fish per day.  Fish like bullheads and carp forage about the bottom and lakesides.  With their interests directed downward, they become vulnerable for Ospreys from above.  Fish taken are generally in the range of 5 – 12 inches in length.  A fish is usually successfully snagged in one out of three tries.  Ospreys are known to carry fish upwards of five miles to remote nests.
 

     An Osprey bathes often by wading breast-deep into shallow water, putting its heads underwater, and beating its wings.  Excess water is shaken from wings and the bird flies to a sunny perch, where it holds its wings out to dry like laundry hanging on a clothesline.  After feeding, an Osprey may wipe its beak on a branch, or flick away fish scales by shaking its head back and forth.  To clean its feet it flies low over the surface of the water and drags them through the water.  It may also do this to cool itself on a hot day.


Nests may be built at varying heights upon any structure, natural or man-made, that provides a platform.  Ospreys occasionally nest on or near the ground or upon buoys over water.  Nests are usually one foot deep, four to five feet wide, made of sticks and lined with grass.  Apparently, visibility is important in nest-site selection; osprey nests provide a commanding view of surroundings.  They are usually located on prominent landforms, peninsulas or islands with few, or preferably no, tree branches higher than the nest.


Osprey clutches consist of three or four eggs that are creamy white and heavily spotted brown. Eggs are laid at two-to-three-day intervals in late May.   After the first egg is laid, incubation proceeds for 38 days and is dominated by the female.  Both parents have “brood patches” to aid incubating eggs.  Brood patches are featherless areas on raptors’ abdomens where eggs receive warmth for necessary incubation.  The male provides food for the female and brood after hatching.  The female remains in constant attendance the first 30 days, providing protection from predators and the elements.  Predators include raccoons, gulls, crows and owls.  When predators are near, camouflaged nestlings lie outstretched and motionless as a natural defense. 


At 42 days, young can tear apart fish provided by parents and around 53 days, first flight occurs.  Young of the year quickly acquire fishing skills and gradually expand their range until dispersal in late August.  Immature Ospreys spend up to 20 months at their over-wintering areas in Central and South America.  Some Ospreys migrate 4,000 miles from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere.  Adults attain sexual maturity when three to four years of age.  Researchers estimate first-year bird mortality at 51 - 57% with adult mortality at 16 - 20% annually.  Average life expectancy can be fifteen years.  So an Osprey may migrate over 62,000 miles in a lifetime.  That is about as far as 2 ½ times around the world!


Ospreys were heavily affected by the biocide crash of the 1950s, which was caused by organo-chlorines like DDT.  Organo-chlorines caused eggshell thinning which led to fewer and fewer young to replenish the population.  Numbers were severely reduced throughout their range, but were hardest hit in Great Lakes and Atlantic coast areas.  Osprey populations have shown a gradual increase since DDT and similar substances were banned in the United States in 1972.  By 1981, 8,000 osprey pairs existed in the continental 48 states, and by 1994 a national survey tallied 14,109 pairs.


According to tribal elders of the Omaha nation, accounts of Ospreys nesting along Iowa waterways are included in their oral traditional stories.  These indigenous people have lived throughout northwestern Iowa for thousands of years.  However, no successful Osprey nesting had been documented in Iowa since European settlement.  A report in 1892 indicated a nesting might have occurred along the Cedar River, but the addled Osprey egg was not recognized by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union of that time as positive proof of nesting.  In the year 2000, an osprey nesting attempt occurred in northwestern Iowa.  It was believed the pair was the result of Ospreys released by Minnesota DNR in mid 1990s at Heron Lake in southwestern Minnesota, approximately 25 miles north of the nest.  No eggs were laid but this pair held a promise for future nesting successes. (This was the pair that successfully nested at Spirit Lake Middle School outdoor classroom in 2003.)


Male Ospreys show strong fidelity to ancestral breeding areas, preferring to nest colonially where adults originated.  Female ospreys may disperse hundreds of miles from their origin, however males will generally return within about 20 miles of origin.  Due to this very low dispersal tendency by males, young Ospreys are prime candidates for relocation.  Projects are designed to spread young of the population, geographically, to areas where ospreys do not nest.  This strategy will ultimately improve nestling survival and complete continental population distribution.


With construction of lakes and reservoirs by Department of Natural Resources, County conservation boards, private industry, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, potential Osprey habitat exists today that was previously not available.  Historically, there were numerous Osprey summer sightings in Iowa, but apparently these young, non-breeding Ospreys returned to areas where they were reared for mating and nesting.  During the last 20 years, the number of migrants through Iowa has increased as breeding populations to the north have grown.  Despite this population growth, Ospreys have demonstrated little breeding range expansion.  Minnesota and Wisconsin DNR officials suggested that Ospreys, in our lifetime, do not readily pioneer new breeding ranges.  Instead, they experience suppressed reproduction as density of nesting pairs increase.  Scientists have determined that a raptor population is in jeopardy of crashing, when the average fledging success of young per nest approaches 0.8 chicks/nest.  To address this issue, young Ospreys from Wisconsin and Minnesota began being relocated to areas with suitable habitat in southern Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Ohio. Wildlife populations evenly distributed across suitable habitat will be able to withstand pockets with high contaminants that stress those populations. As biological indicator species, raptors reflect the health of our environment.  Contaminants like DDT negatively impact or destroy raptor populations and will ultimately affect humans negatively.


Dr. Larry Rymon, noted Pennsylvania ornithologist who initiated Osprey relocations along the eastern seaboard, observes that 45% of the continental Osprey population nest upon manmade structures.  Therefore nesting platforms have been placed near all release sites in anticipation of returning Osprey usage.  Mr. Bill Fraundorf  from ALLETE Energy of Minnesota and Mr. Mark Martell of Minnesota Audubon and Ms. Pat Manthey and Mr. Lowell Tesky of Wisconsin DNR, assisted by The Raptor Center of St. Paul, have provided Ospreys for Iowa releases.


Young Ospreys' availability for potential relocation is evaluated in early July.  Approximately 42-day-old Ospreys from Minnesota and Wisconsin are located in nests where more than one young exists.  Within hours, The Raptor Center staff members in St. Paul examine the Ospreys for relocation suitability.  When approved, birds are driven to release sites and placed in carefully constructed release towers or "hack sites."  Hack sites are predator proof 8' x 8' x 8' structures with bars on the front that provide visibility of surroundings.  The bars are opened when ospreys are released. Trained volunteers feed the young daily in such a manner that the birds do not imprint on people.  By quietly viewing ospreys through one-way mirrored glass or from monitors, detailed observations of each bird's temperament and condition are logged daily.   

When Ospreys are approximately 53 days of age, they are full-grown with rapidly developing feathers and are ready to be released.  The birds are actually heavier than they will be as adults, due to built-in fat reserves until self-sufficiency is achieved.  Great care is exercised to ensure that young are not startled into their first flight - at this stage of the young Ospreys’ development, the less disturbance or drama, the better.  Once Ospreys have flown, volunteer spotters monitor the birds' movements the best they can, either from shore or in boats for the first few days.  It has been shown that young Ospreys can fly better, the first time out, than they can land upon a perch.  As with other raptors, returning to a perch near the hack box can become a fatal learning experience for young flyers.  After the Ospreys fledge, volunteers supplement the birds’ diets with fish at the hack site, until birds begin fishing on their own and self-sufficiency is achieved.


These combined activities by volunteers provide tremendous opportunities for outdoor-loving families to connect with a most dynamic raptor.  These duties have become great opportunities to establish touchstones with our environment and influence our need to be good stewards of our land and waters.  Efforts by these volunteers are moving this project forward.  There is empowerment volunteers can build upon in other wildlife and habitat enhancement projects.


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has assisted conservation partners with technical assistance and providing proper permits to bring Ospreys to Iowa.  Encouragement and fish to successfully release Ospreys in Iowa have also been included.  Ms. Jodeane Cancilla of the Macbride Raptor Project located near Coralville Reservoir spearheaded this work.  Beginning in 1997, four or five young ospreys were released annually at their facility from 1997 until 2002.  Since that time, Hartman Reserve Nature Center staff in Cedar Falls released Ospreys at their facility from 1998 - 2005.  In succession County Conservation Boards and volunteer groups have placed Ospreys at Jester Park in Polk Co. from 2000 - 2004, Don Williams Lake in Boone Co. from 2003 - 2006, Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo Co. from 2004 - 2008, Wickiup Hill in Linn Co. from 2004 - 2007, Red Rock Reservoir in Marion Co. from 2005 - 2008, White Rock Conservancy by S.O.A.R. from 2006, Spirit Lake in Dickinson Co. from 2007, Mud Lake in Dubuque Co. from 2008, and Annett Nature Center in Warren Co. from 2009.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has provided distinguished service for releases at Coralville and Saylorville Reservoir respectively.  Assisted by literally hundreds of volunteers, these conservation organizations have devoted their efforts to bring Ospreys to Iowa as a nesting species.  Project fundraising is the responsibility of the conservation organizations doing the releases.  Ospreys cost about $525 per bird.  In Iowa, Ospreys have two bands, a silver U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band and a numbered, lavender band on separate legs.  Wild produced Ospreys from Iowa receive a green USFWS band on their left leg. In 2010 a green banded, F2 generation Osprey fledged three young at Polk City Refuge in Polk County.  Also, in 2010 natural reproduction around the state was 21 Ospreys at fourteen successful sites which equaled the number of birds relocated to Iowa at 21 Ospreys.


We can think of Ospreys as "sentinels of clean water."   Ospreys rely upon fish for food and fish need clean water.  Ospreys also need to be able to see fish in our water, so turbidity and siltation become critical issues.  Fish need clean water, ospreys need clean water; we all need clean water.  But clean water doesn't just happen.  It requires standards of decency that can benefit everyone and everything.  Joining Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Sand-hill Cranes, wetland mammals and our myriad of waterfowl, Ospreys can be appreciated in all water quality endeavors and provide a rewarding environmental connection for all Iowans.  Moreover, as a highly desirable watchable wildlife species, it's great to see "fishing perfection" in Iowa.


For more information contact:  the Wildlife Diversity Program, 1436 255th St., Boone, IA  50036.As the osprey flew from sight, we felt privileged to
part the placid pool with our paddles and proceeded onward.

Story by Pat Schlarbaum and photos courtesy of Bill Schuerman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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