Letters to the Editor

Magazine Ads
The premier issue of your magazine was informative and helpful. But I was shocked to see prominent ads for Fords SUVs - hybrid or not - and Honda's personal watercraft. I don't think these sponsors/commercials are appropriate for the magazine. -Joan Breiding, via email

We have put a lot of thought into what advertisers we will allow and we’ve tried to set appropriate standards. In both these cases, we chose to accept ads for vehicles that use advanced technologies, although their overall environmental record is questionable.

The Ford ad is specifically for their new gas/electric hybrid vehicle. We believe that promoting a step in the right direction is as important as fighting the many bad decisions that come out of Detroit (as well as Tokyo and everywhere else where the auto industry makes its decisions). The Honda ad is for their four-stroke personal water craft. The four-stroke engine is a significant improvement on the two-stroke motors used in most other PWCs and boats. We understand the controversy surrounding the use and misuse of these vehicles. We have Waterkeeper programs around the country that are fighting PWC use on the waters they protect. We also have Waterkeeper programs that depend on PWCs as patrol craft and rescue vehicles.

We are going to do our best to keep a high standard for advertisers in the magazine. We appreciate your sharing your concerns and with your help we’ll find the right balance.

Enforcing the law
My friend said that when someone turns in a company creating pollution they get half of the money. Is that true? - Nay Rivas, via email

A lot depends on the law that you are trying to enforce. A few federal laws contain bounty provisions (such as the old River & Harbors Act and some whistleblower statutes). These laws encourage individuals to report violations by rewarding the courage to do so. But the money you can recover under these laws doesn’t approach 50 percent of the penalty. Some state laws also allow whistleblowers to receive some of the penalty. The federal Clean Water Act, the one Waterkeeper Alliance most commonly enforces, does not provide for a bounty. Environmental groups can, however, recover their attorney fees and costs. This provision is important to ensure that citizens have equal access to justice – it helps put some of the burden for enforcing the law back onto polluters. Whether or not a citizen is entitled to a bounty we believe that anyone who knows about illegal pollution is obliged to take action. (See article , page 40- (Making the Clean Water Act Work). Everyone has a right to clean water and with that right comes a responsibility to speak up for clean water.

Clean Marinas
We have a marina and we want to be responsible in continuing to manage it. How and what, if any, ideas can you give us so we can help. - L, via email

Any marina owner, manager or staff, or boat owner that wants to reduce their impact on their waterbody can have a large effect by educating boaters about chemicals used around the marina. Use non-toxic boat cleaners and polishes. If you paint boats with anti-fouling paint, contain as much of the dust as possible and dispose of it properly. Implement spill cleanup protocol and have absorbent pads available to make fueling less dicey. Pass out information to boaters on how to keep bilges clean and sell or promote bilge sponges and socks. Providing a sewage pump-out station will also have a large positive effect.

For more information visit the NOAA Clean Marinas program on the web at: http://cleanmarinas.noaa.gov/marinalinks.html. The website provides links to 19 states, and governmental and non-profit partners, who are participating in the Clean Marinas program.

Hog Factories
Dear Waterkeeper - Maybe a boycott of Smithfield and other corporate polluters would send a message. I'm sure that most consumers who were made aware of this revolting disregard for human and animal health would opt to purchase products from more responsible, sustainable and preferably small family farms. - Christi Love, via email

You’re right – consumers hold the key to reshaping the way our food is produced.

Fortunately, the law and the majority of the public are on our side. We’ve chosen to fight this industry through litigation while emphasizing that responsible agriculture is a proven, and successful, path towards environmental and economic sustainability. There are several good resources for people who want to purchase products from traditional family farmers – visit our website at (www.waterkeeper.org) for an updated list of these resources. Or visit the Sustainable Table page put together by GRACE (www.gracelinks.org) and the Eat Well Guide, an evolving list of sustainable suppliers arranged by zip code (www.eatwellguide.org).

Comments or letters to the editor can be submitted via email info@waterkeeper.org or by mail to Waterkeeper Magazine, Suite 100, 828 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Please include your full name and address.