Letters To The Editor: Sept. 5, 2024

Perch Guards Could Help Creek

Editor:

Living next to Muddy Creek, I’ve witnessed the wonderful transformation of the creek resulting from the new bridge on Route 28. As the creek is largely abutted by conservation land on both sides, there is also an abundance of amazing birds and wildlife to observe.

Thus, I was not surprised to read in your article regarding Muddy Creek (“Muddy Creek Bridge Project Worked,” Aug. 29) that fecal coliform from birds and wildlife is limiting improvements to the health of the creek. As an occasional kayaker and canoer on the creek, I have seen massive numbers of birds (primarily cormorants in the evening/overnight) perched on the transmission lines which span the upper creek and literally “showering” the creek below. It seems that adding perching prevention guards to those lines would significantly reduce the bird waste deposited directly into the creek and help contribute to the creek’s ongoing natural revitalization.

Jeff Lanctot 

Chatham

Look A Bit Deeper

Editor:

Mr. Mallowes (“Beware Dems’ ‘Accomplishments’,” Aug. 29) has clearly not been paying attention to the accomplishments of the Biden administration. Look no further than the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act providing Americans with jobs, clean energy, lead-free water, high-speed internet, upgraded roads, bridges and airports and tackling legacy pollution and climate change, or whatever skeptics call it — or don’t.

In March, Bloomberg opinion writers noted other accomplishments: uninsured Americans hit an all-time low of 7.2 percent; job growth outperformed any previous president; unemployment lowest since the 1960s; from a peak of 9.1 percent in 2022, the CPI plummeted to 3.1 percent; households are wealthier and better off financially than ever; violent crimes, especially homicides, have fallen sharply since peaking from its unprecedented, COVID-driven rise during the previous administration; and a record-breaking stock market. It should be noted that consumer debt typically increases annually so every year has “record high consumer debt.”

Most patriotic Americans will agree that whatever it takes to keep Putin out of Ukraine and our NATO allies’ countries is worth it. And who deep-sixed the bipartisan immigration bill that Mitch McConnell said would crack down on the huge flow of migrants across the border and might be the last chance for years to do so? Not Biden. 

The withdrawal from Afghanistan was indeed disastrous, but contrary to statements of some politicians, Biden and Harris participated in the dignified transfer of the remains of the 13 fallen Abbey Gate heroes at Dover Air Force Base, attended a ceremony for them at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and visited Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to them and all fallen heroes. Incidentally, “partisan political activities” are prohibited at Arlington National Cemetery by 32 CFR § 553.32(c).

George Myers

Venice, Fla.

Bridge St. Will Foster Traditional Industry

Editor:

 The existence of shell mounds found in Chatham dating back thousands of years indicate the importance of shellfishing to the indigenous peoples’ lives. When William Nickerson situated his farm in 1656, it was close to the abundant fish and shellfish populations of the nearby cove.

 Over the past 350 years, shellfishing has provided a source of food, income and enjoyment to the residents and visitors of Chatham. It has become a staple of clambakes, fried clams, etc. Many older residents have fond memories of the clams served at the old Hojo’s at the downtown rotary and remember the advertising jingle from Thompson’s Clam Bar.

 Today, besides providing a source of livelihood or entertainment for many Chatham residents, shellfishing has also become an important Chatham tradition. A significant number of Chatham residents paid for their boat, car, or college tuition from the proceeds of clamming.

 Shellfishing currently has a significant impact on the local economy, as Chatham ranks first in Massachusetts for shellfish harvest with an approximately value of $2.5 million yearly, which translated to about 8.5 million quahogs taken by the 2,500 recreational and commercial license holders.

 Since 1998, Chatham has been assisting Mother Nature by raising shellfish in an upweller located on the first floor of the harboremaster’s building on Stage Harbor. This upweller, which consists of a series of tanks, has deteriorated to the point where continuance of the process is in jeopardy.

 The solution to this problem is to attend the Sept. 16 special town meeting and vote in favor of constructing a new upweller to be situated in the old Stage Harbor Coast Guard boathouse, which will be returned to Chatham and located on Bridge Street.

Bill and Tilda Bystrom

Chatham 


 

Use Dispute As Teaching Moment

Editor:

I am surprised at the legal position of the Brewster Health Department re: testing and studies undertaken by APCC. As noted by NRDC et al several years ago, in reflecting on a Wyoming law challenged in federal court:

“By effectively banning investigations into potential violations of environmental laws, the statutes prohibit private citizens from doing their part to hold polluters, employers and corporations accountable under the law. Similar investigations in the past have led to evidence of health code, environmental and labor violations, as well as criminal convictions and civil litigation. Barring these investigations not only violates the First Amendment, but also puts the health and well-being of Wyoming citizens at risk.”

This 10th Circuit case strongly indicates that the Brewster Health Department is probably on shaky ground. 

Having practiced environmental litigation for over four decades, I can note that there are a multiplicity of a) methods to take samples, b) methods to analyze samples, c) standards against which sample results can be compared, and d) toxicological conclusions from which conclusions can be drawn from exposure modalities. A regulatory agency can assert that its conclusions from its methods and assessments means X, Y, and Z, but that does not mean that another entity cannot draw a different conclusion using different sampling, assessment, and standards. It is protected speech under the First Amendment.

This is not uncommon since it is not unusual to find a variety of federal, state, county, and local standards that may be applicable to the presence of a contaminant in water. If you think tax law is complex, then you do not know environmental law and the multiplicity of laws, statutes, regulations, and guidance that are likely applicable to a specific matter.

The parties could use this dispute as a teaching moment, to provide the public with an easy-to-understand synopsis of the methods and standards applicable to sampling and assessing environmental contamination. No one has the exclusive truth, because there is none.  Again, it all depends on a) methods to take samples, b) methods to analyze samples, c) standards against which sample results can be compared, and d) toxicological conclusions from which can be drawn the ascertained exposure modalities.

APCC does great work, and Brewster does the public a great disservice by asserting otherwise.  

Tom Clarke

West Chatham