Addendum to the Watch Inc. Letter dated November 24, 2008 by Jack Norris (Power Coalition)

It is much appreciated that WATCH also opposes the Alba well – the so-called deep well – and we thank them for the friendly gesture. At the same time, and meaning no disrespect for WATCH, we would like to use their letter to point out the danger posed by incomplete truths and unjustified conclusions. 

While WATCH has approved the idea of on-site treatment of the leachate, with which we fully agree, Tip of the Mitt is cited as the source of information that has led WATCH to advise capping the CKD deposits under the golf course and creating diversion wells up-gradient, a plan that we find unjustified. 

While capping a noxious deposit does shield it from the penetration of rain and other surface waters, it can have no effect on the invasion of ground water, the major source of the liquid that is being converted to a dangerous leachate. 

The capture by diversion wells of leachate associated with the East Park has been cited as a success, and has been irresponsibly reported to Congressman Bart Stupak and to the general public as a nearly complete success, but according to the DEQ, only a small percentage of the leachate from East Part is being captured in that way. The rest continues toward the Bay until drawn back toward the intakes of the municipal water supply when the Petoskey pumps are running. 

There is no demonstrated reason to suppose that diversion pumps up-gradient of the golf course would do any better. 

And, of course, the actual amount of CKD that can be removed from the contaminated site by letting it dissolve in groundwater and then removing the resultant leachate ( by truck or pump) is tiny. As currently proposed, that removal method would take at least 250,000 years. 

WATCH’s preference for an actual treatment plant is clearly the rational preference.