News Jul 10, 2013 at 4:00 am

A Q&A with Reservoir Occupation Organizer

Comments

1
Remember when everyone was bitching about the cost of the now defunct CRC? Well this scheme to cover the reservoirs is going to cost the city upwards of half a billion dollars we don't have to "solve" a problem the never existed.

What was that about Charlie Hales' former employer HDR engineering benefiting from the huge contracts to cover the reservoirs??? Why do these corrupt politicians want to keep fucking with our water?!!
2
Jessie, you proved yourself an idiot.
But hey, good luck with getting a 'Portland Only' exemption throughout the country.
And just remember your winning strategy with the first 'occupy'.
3
Here's an Oregon Secretary of State campaign finance transaction link that shows some campaign contributions from CH2M: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/got…

Here are links that show how the City of Portland politicians give CH2M our money:
http://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/Consult…
And:
http://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/backgro…
[It's independently verifiable. For example, search ordinance numbers with the City.]

Note: It's clear that CH2M gave money directly to the campaigns of Charlie Hales and Dan Saltzman (a relatively large amount to Hales), but it's also interesting that contributions were made by CH2M to the "Committee for Safe and Successful Children" of which Dan Saltzman is the treasurer, for example. There's obviously more to the story. This is just a sample. (Plus, CH2M is only one of the players.)

Here's an interesting quote from a US Dept. of Justice press release:

“However, we are pleased that CH2M Hill has stepped up and admitted to the criminal conduct of its subsidiary and has agreed to pay back a good faith estimate of what was taken, including criminal proceeds from the conspiracy.” (March 7, 2013)
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/March/1…
4
This looks questionable too...

"Charlie Hales was Senior Vice president of HDR Engineering in Portland"
http://www.compassidaho.org/documents/comm…

"HDR's Water business group in HDR's Portland office has been awarded the Joint Water Commission's Aquifer Storage and Recovery Phase I project."
http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-and-e…
See, also:
City of Portland, ORDINANCE NO. 176813
*Authorize an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc
[Washington Park open reservoir related work]

What's next?

I think this may help to further illuminate why the "official" fight to save our elegant and effective open reservoirs seems to have suddenly "ended" when Charlie Hales stepped in. Frankly, Charlie Hales hasn't fought for us on this at all.

This needs to get straightened out right away and the fight must get going again with the elected officials. There are many viable options still available.
Here's a link that describes three simultaneous paths to take:
http://mttaborpdx.org/NewDocs/MTNA_Ltr_Cit…

The mayors and legislators of New York (Rochester and NYC) figured out how to save their open reservoirs. Don't stop until ours are saved too!
5
http://rebelmetropolis.org/forget-it-jake-…

The issue of covering the reservoirs has been largely ignored for the last ten years. Starting July 12th, it’s going to make headlines. Hopefully our elected officials will see the light of day and actually do the work necessary to secure the LT2 waiver. If they don’t, this could be a very long summer.
6
The Mercury Editors added this comment to the story, above:

"[Actually, there are questions about how the city's reservoirs will fare in an earthquake.—Eds.]"

Thankfully, there are also answers available:

"Consulting engineers have evaluated the bureau's facilities to determine their ability to withstand earthquakes. The Portland Water Bureau has made repairs, and where necessary, lowered water levels in tanks to withstand seismic events."
-- Portland Water Bureau | Mt. Tabor and Washington Park Reservoirs
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/articl…

"The results of the analyses determined that localized pockets of foundation sand could liquefy; however, the vulnerable pockets were isolated and not laterally continuous. Therefore; excess pore-water pressures generated in the localized pockets would dissipate into denser soil without threatening the stability of the embankment."
-- Cornforth Consultants :: MOUNT TABOR SEISMIC STABILITY ANALYSIS
http://www.cornforthconsultants.com/projec…
7
"Others dispute the idea that harmful amounts of radon will build up."

What others?
8
The Mercury Editors also added this comment in the story:
"[Others dispute the idea that harmful amounts of radon will build up.—Eds.]"

Who are the mysterious "others"?
I realize that the talk about radon may sound sensational, but the risks are real.

"New radon numbers highlight Portland-area health risks"
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian (1/23/13 - 2/19/13)
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/01/new_radon_numbers_highlight_po.html Excerpts:

"New estimates of radon risks across Oregon underscore the need for homeowners to test for the presence of the odorless, invisible radioactive gas, researchers say.

The update, released this week, suggests that one in every four houses in the Portland area accumulates radon above the level the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says should prompt fixes to keep the gas outdoors.
[...]
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, EPA estimates, and the leading cause among non-smokers."
... ...

Bull Run Waiver .org : FAQ : http://bullrunwaiver.org/faq/
"11. How is the issue of Radon related to drinking water?

Radon is a radioactive gas that originates from soils in Portland especially along the Columbia River and throughout North and Northeast Portland. Radon enters our drinking water when we use the Columbia South Shore Wellfield (CSSW) as a backup water source. Radon kills +20,000 people in the US every year. EPA has an action level of 4 pC (picocuries). Our CSSW water contains ~400pC. We need a waiver from EPA LT2 so we are able to retain the open reservoirs allowing the Radon gases to harmlessly vent and escape into the atmosphere rather than our homes, schools and work places."
... ...

Radon and Cancer - National Cancer Institute - Fact Sheet
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/radon
"2. How is the general population exposed to radon?

[...] from water obtained from wells that contain radon."
... ...

The 2012 PWB Drinking Water Quality Report
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/450920
[See: page 4 for Radon levels in our drinking water]
... ...

"Open Air Reservoirs and Your Health"
The Southeast Examiner | July 1st, 2013
http://southeastexaminer.com/2013/07/open-air-reservoirs-and-your-health/
"PART 1: Health benefits of open water reservoirs

The deep open water reservoirs of Mount Tabor and Washington Park provide many public health advantages."
9
City Council was careful in their wording when they tried to insinuate there was nothing they could do after OHA made a decision. Turns out OHA has no authority over City Council, which holds the final say with the purse strings. City Council is trying to blame OHA to avoid political repercussions. OHA did not solicit or even accept public input before making their decision, but has taken responsibility of answering citizen inquiries mostly from karyl.l.salis@state.or.us & 971-673-0423 . City Council ceded their authority to what appears to be a group that does not even pretend to listen to the will of the people.

Does City Council have to follow OHA's recommendation, and by what authority they are making this decision?

OHA says: EPA grants state agencies, in our case The Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services, primary implementation and enforcement authority once they have shown EPA that their rules are as stringent as the Federal rules. The committee that reviewed Portland's request for an extension of their compliance schedule was chosen due to their expertise in applicable areas, and included:

Dave Leland, Interim Administrator, Oregon Health Authority Center for Health Protection
Kari Salis, Technical Services Region 1 Manager, OHA-Drinking Water Services
Michael Tynan, Policy Coordinator, OHA
Kathleen Vidoloff, Communications Specialist, OHA
Lynn Schoessler, Executive Director, Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority
Katy King, Legislative Liason, OHA
Shannon O'Fallon, Assistant Attorney General, OHA
Tony Barber, Oregon Operations Manager, Environmental Protection Agency (provided information only)

Who appointed them? When did they meet? Why we don't wait until the EPA finishes reconsidering these rules (as NY is)?

City Council holds the purse strings. Nothing can happen here without their okay. Why did they give authority and responsibility away?
11
Don't forget that the Oregon Health Authority was embroiled in no less than three scandals at the time of the most recent reservoir relief request denial! (Maybe they had other things on their mind at the time?!)

Oregon Health Authority official felt pressure from pro-fluoride Upstream Public Health about dental study
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.s… May 17, 2013
... ...
Oregon Health Authority Denies Portland's Request for More Time to Complete Reservoir Compliance Schedule
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/articl… May 18, 2013
... ...
^^ [Notice the article dates--exactly one day apart!]

Dr. Mel Kohn, [OHA] Oregon public health director, stepping down
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.s… May 29, 2013

Whistleblower lawsuit seeks $6.7 million from Oregon Health Authority
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.s… February 07, 2013

Former Health Official Alleges Discrimination, Sexism at [OHA] State Agency
http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX… Apr 29, 2013

Discrimination Probe at Oregon Health Authority Finds Other Woes
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/si… May 01, 2013 Excerpts:
The report found many OHA employees described working conditions at the agency as "difficult and untenable, citing low morale and high work volume."
[...]
OHA Director Bruce Goldberg, meanwhile, tells the Mercury the investigation will spur changes in the agency.

"The investigation identified significant concerns in the [Oregon] Public Health Division relating to staff morale," Goldberg said in a statement. "I and my leadership team are working closely with the leadership at the public health division to address and remedy those issues. The employees in this division have important work to do and I want to make sure they have all the support they need to do it."

Response to the Oregon Health Authority's rejection of the City of Portland's request to defer "onerous" LT2 open reservoir projects at Mt. Tabor and Washington Park, projects that by all accounts will provide no measurable public health benefit.
http://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/resourc…
12
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Mahatma Gandhi
13
[Others dispute the idea that harmful amounts of radon will build up.—Eds.]

I think Denis is referring to himself and his hand in this statement.
14
"[...] the reservoir mandate is aimed at stopping water contamination issues Portland's open-air Bull Run watershed system doesn't suffer from." --Denis Theriault, The Portland Mercury http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX… (June 19, 2013)

Said Commissioner Fish, "we need to fight this misguided [EPA LT2] mandate in every venue." [...] "The federal government insists that we solve a problem that doesn't exist and further insists that we pay for this folly," [...] http://www.portlandonline.com/fish/index.c… (July 30, 2009)

"Spending a lot of money to address a public health problem that may not exist kind of sticks in my craw," [Commissioner Steve] Novick said [referring to the EPA LT2 mandate] http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ss… (February 12, 2013)

"We need to review the Water and BES [Bureau of Environmental Services] budgets in great detail to see where we can reduce costs, avoid unnecessary capital expenditures and end the use of these funds as a source for pet projects." --[Mayoral Candidate] Charlie Hales http://thevoterguide.oregonlive.com/race-d… (2012)

"We need to 'salute and comply'." --Mayor Charlie Hales [referring to a recent, controversial, Oregon Health Authority decision and subsequent City Hall capitulation on an issue that has been lucrative for his recent campaign contributor, CH2M, and for his former employer, HDR.][Hale's new chief of staff, Gail Shibley, came from the OHA. She personally issued a reservoir relief denial while there.] http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/cove… (June 4th, 2013)

Response to the Oregon Health Authority's rejection of the City of Portland's request to defer onerous LT2 open reservoir projects at Mt. Tabor and Washington Park, projects that by all accounts will provide no measurable public health benefit. http://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/resourc… (June 24, 2013)

Official letter from Mount Tabor Neighborhood Association http://mttaborpdx.org/NewDocs/MTNA_Ltr_Cit… (July 1, 2013) [This letter presents three simultaneous and viable paths to take at this time.]
15
We'll see what the neighborhood activists think once the Occupy PDX hangers on show up. It won't take long for the road warriors and drug addicts to hear there is a new place to camp. Wait until you see who you've just invited in to stay, Mt. Tabor.
16
Blabby, at least they learned not to try organizing a outdoor protest in the winter.
17
http://rebelmetropolis.org/aqua-team-waive…

The beloved Mt. Tabor reservoirs are an engineering marvel. Designing them open-air allows radon to dissipate at no cost or risk to ratepayers while permitting sunlight to naturally disinfect our water. The very reason our reservoirs are on the National Historic Registry is due largely to the tireless work of historian and activist Cascade Anderson Geller, who recently passed away. In addition to being an herbalist, a renowned teacher, and co-founder of Portland’s first food co-ops, Geller fought to enshrine the Tabor reservoirs as part of Portland’s future for generations to come. Her legacy, and the legacy of the reservoirs themselves are well worth defending.
18
• • •

There's really nothing that unusual about Glicker's move to Montgomery Watson. In fact, there is a long-standing practice of high-ranking water bureau members retiring to cushy jobs at Montgomery Watson.

In fact, there are those who will tell you that Montgomery Watson, a for-profit organization, whose every incentive is to dream up moneymaking ventures to be financed by the city, effectively runs the Portland Water Bureau.

Whether or not this is so, it is a fact that Montgomery Watson is the firm that provided the water bureau with the study that recommended covering the reservoirs.

As it also happens, it is the firm that is currently engaged to conduct a $5.89 million design study for the project.

And unless something goes seriously awry, Montgomery Watson will be in an excellent position to nail down the eventual construction contract for this multimillion-dollar boondoggle.

So maybe Doug Larson can be excused if he thinks it's all a little bit like 'Chinatown.' Of course, no one's brought any herds of sheep to City Council meetings yet. But the way things are going, it might just be a matter of time.

From: "Forget it, Jake, its just P-town" | by Phil Stanford
http://portlandtribune.com/component/conte… (2003)
• • •

Rebel Metropolis | "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." | by Hart Noecker
http://rebelmetropolis.org/forget-it-jake-… (July 1, 2013) Excerpts:

Possibly the most famous closing line to a film, the last utterance of Roman Polanski’s neo-noir Chinatown was meant to convey the sense that no amount of truth-telling or investigative light-shining can stop corrupted bureaus of city government.
[...]
Beginning July 12th, 2013, clean water activists will erect Camp Cascadia in an ongoing action some in the media are already calling Occupy Mt. Tabor in protest of the LT2 scheme. They plan to remain camped at the reservoirs until the EPA, the Oregon Health Authority, or a congressional delegation issues a waiver to LT2 similar to a deferral exemption issued for New York City.
[...]
Hopefully our elected officials will see the light of day and actually do the work necessary to secure the LT2 waiver. If they don’t, this could be a very long summer.
19
Blabby wants to kill the messengers instead of actually discussing the issues.
20
I foresee a heated debate about the science, health risks, etc, but here's an easy way to circumvent that. For anyone who doubts why we should demand that Mayor Hales should work with Senator Merkley in obtaining an exemption to EPA LT2, ask yourself why NYC Mayor Bloomberg has already been successful in working with NY Senator Schumer. And how can 80% of our city council claim that it's over when the EPA's decision on waivers won't be until 2016? NYC water rate payers stand to save about a $BILLION dollars, and here in PDX we're talking about at least $280 MILLION for an unnecessary project. Those who would PROFIT from that obviously have a huge conflict of interest. Don't we already have enough reasons to be against it without even getting into the science of it?

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