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Re: Wastewater headed to gulf - and then an uncertain future, story, July 6.
I never write to anyone for help, but I am beside myself over the spreading of the wastewater from Piney Point phosphate plant in Manatee County. The articles on the plan to pollute the Gulf of Mexico with wastewater that we know killed 1-million fish are so unbelievable that I am asking you for your help.
We might not have to worry about our endangered species. We might be the endangered species.
They (the state Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the government, the lawyers who are collecting huge fees, etc.) want to spread this wastewater 45 miles from our shores and see what happens. The disposal area includes protected fishery habitats created by Congress. THEY won't even be watching these habitats to see what happens.
This is like a bad science fiction movie. Will the fish die or mutate, or will it affect the birds, turtles, dolphins? Will we have to stop eating fish from the gulf? Will our children have new diseases? Will we have to close the beaches and stop boating?
Do you see what I mean? I want to scream, "No! Stop!" What can we do to stop this horrible plan?
Re: A $140-million mess, story, July 6.
I would like to compliment you on the article. The reporter brought to light many issues pertaining to Piney Point.
What concerns me most is that there is no guarantee that the dumping won't create another problem for the Gulf of Mexico. The agencies have been asked to do the dumping farther out into the gulf, and their response is that it would cost too much. At what price are we willing to risk our environment? If there is any doubt at all, they should do the dumping at least 100 miles offshore.
I do understand the risk to Tampa Bay, and the hazardous conditions must be addressed. The Gulf of Mexico is our resource for the fishing and sponge industry and is a large draw for tourism. What if this dumping creates more Red Tide? Has there been a study done of the economic impact to Florida if you are wrong about the dumping?
In desperate times people do desperate things. I was always told that two wrongs don't make a right.
Re: Reconsider closing boat ramp on lake, letter, July 2.
I must write to applaud the recent closing of the boat ramp at the north end of Lake Tarpon on Richard Ervin Parkway. I feel the Tarpon Springs city commissioners, mayor, Parks Department and Police Department need to be commended on taking action.
There have not been a "few" accidents on the north end of the lake; there have been at least three in the past six months that I know of. There are not just a "few" reckless boaters. The majority of the water scooter users that launched at Richard Ervin Park were teenagers with no adult supervision. The majority, not the minority, at the north end of the lake were reckless. I watched them have close calls every weekend. It was just a matter of time before someone was seriously injured.
Did you know that you need a permit from the City of Tarpon Springs to launch a water craft at any of their parks? I would bet that no one had a permit for launch at Richard Ervin Park, and I would bet most of the young, reckless users didn't have the boating license required by law, either.
Richard Ervin Park was once a rest stop for motorists on their way to Tampa. It was never intended to be a thoroughfare for a multitude of boaters. This little park is in a residential neighborhood, not a preserve. There is only parking for seven cars. I have personally seen more than 35 cars with boats and trailers parked there.
If you want to launch your boat or water scooter, there are two other parks on the lake that were intended for that purpose, John Chesnut and Anderson parks, meant to hold dozens of cars with trailers.
Families still launch their boats and water scooters at those parks and motor over to Richard Ervin Park. I have seen families enjoying the scenery, picnicking and playing in the water. It has been a pleasant change. Thanks to the city for making our little neighborhood park a neighborhood park again.
I'm sitting in my home the evening of the Fourth of July surrounded by noise - more than noise, explosions! It's very upsetting and nerve-wracking to be so besieged by this terrible noise.
I've never understood the allure of noisy fireworks and don't know what pleasure folks get out of loud bangs. They certainly have no consideration for neighbors. The money spent on these explosive devices could most certainly be spent on things more enjoyable and even more permanent.
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