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Indybay Feature

Chemical Spews into Coastal Pond, Wilder State Park

by Skidmark Bob
A chemical like substance bleeding into a large pond full of wild/plant life next to the ocean by the favorite surfing spot "Three Mile Beach" next to Baldwin Creek along the Wilder State Park coast hiking/biking trail off hwy 1 just outside Santa Cruz Ca. A pipe of this chemical was spewing into the pond turning the plants and water white.
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While out bike riding on 6/28/14 I came across this chemical like substance bleeding into a large pond full of wild/plant life next to the ocean by the favorite surfing spot "Three Mile Beach" next to Baldwin Creek along the Wilder State Park coast hiking/biking trail off hwy 1 just outside Santa Cruz Ca.

Upon further investigation I found a pipe of this chemical was spewing into the pond turning the plants and water white. Nearby I found a tank in the with a Calcium Hypochlorite tag on the side. Possibly the nearby farm is putting it into the pond to disinfect the water to use on crops in the area. The smell was PUTRID!

According to the EPA Calcium Hypochlorite is used in laundries, swimming pools, ponds, drinking water, and other water and wastewater systems. The hypochlorites control bacteria, fungi, and slime-forming algae that can cause diseases in people and animals. It also says it is highly toxic to freshwater fish and invertebrates.

It doesn't seem right to me to see (and smell) this crap spewing into a natural body of water full of wild/plant life right next to the Monterey Bay. Is this bad for the eco system? Sure seems like it is. I could see treating water pumped out of the pond but not dumping chemicals into it.

Looking at Google maps of Baldwin Creek, Wilder Ranch coast area I don't see the white crap in the water so it must be fairly recent maybe in reaction to the drought. The Chemtec 1-800-424-9300 number number posted on the side of the tank states it is for hazardous emergencys. Maybe people should call about this. I did call Wilder St. Park they said it was state property leased to the nearby farm by the Dept. of Resources. Will have to look more into it. I know for a fact they use pesticides on the farmlands along the coast route I've seen the warning signs.

What they say may be good for humans could have Irreversible effects for the surrounding eco system.

Watch VIDEO:
http://youtu.be/_N7XxtGqdl8
Or
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=04c_1404054125
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§Not clear if it is Calcium hypochlorite
by Skidmark Bob
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The pipe spewing the "chemical" into the pond may not be from the calcium hypochlorite tank which is located about 3-400 feet around the pond from the pipe. It could be something else or worse. Who knows? I sent an email to the resource dept haven't got a response yet. I do know for a fact they fumigate in the area I found a sign warning people who hike/bike along the coast to stay away. So it seems there are not organic crops grown along the coast by Santa Cruz.
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Comments (Hide Comments)
ANY discharge or water treatment system MUST be permitted buy the RWQCB, with public hearings!

Where is the Regional Water Quality Control Board Permit/Hearings records for this toxic discharge?

Contact them and demand answers at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/
by hello?
Calcium hypochlorite is the compounds that in reacting with carbon dioxide generate chlorine. Yes it is a desinfectant, like the one used in pools, and even your drinking water.
'toxicity' is all about concentration. Drink 5 gallons of alcohol and it's toxic too...

If farmers have made the effort to bring a tank up there to use in this pond, it's likely for a good reason, like avoiding growth of disease carrying moskitos in stagnating waters... Of course, this is just a supposition, but a little research shows it is not because the sign says 'danger' that it's some toxic pollutant... Every basic chemical will have some kind of warning label.

NOw relax and have a nice glass of dihydroxide monoxide...
by Truth
Mosquitoes are effectively controlled in bodies of water by introducing mosquito fish, NOT sodium hypochlorite!
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