Letter Writer Concerned About Paint Over Spray at New Skate Ramp in SoHum

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Letter to the EditorDear Southern Humboldt Community Park Skateboard Park Ramp Group,
aka: https://www.facebook.com/TheSoHumPark/posts/3859620620728216

I have some questions concerning that new Skate Ramp being built at the Southern Humboldt Community Park, i.e. Kimtu Parking lot. You do know that area at the Park is a protected wetland area in the Flood Plain of the South Fork Eel River?

So I’m wondering, if you did know that area was a protected wetland on a listed Wild & Scenic River why would you allow all that paint over spray on the ground like that, allowed to run off during winter rain events (see link to pics posted on Dec 3, 2020) and will that paint end up in the South Fork Eel from storm water run off? If you notice, all the storm water drains into culverts thru that area, which all ends up flowing directly into the South Fork Eel. What kind of paint is that, habitat friendly? You’ve never heard of a drop cloth?

The pics are on the Southern Humboldt Community Park facebook page, see attached link above. By the way, did you ever get permits, file a CEQA exemption or get approval from USACE or NCRWQCB to build that skateboard structure in a protected wetland & habitat area? Maybe have public input, public comments before building it?

The acronym used by the North Coast Reginal Water Quality Control Board is SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) or Best Management Practices (BMP’s). BMP’s are structural, vegetative or managerial practices used to treat, prevent or reduce water pollution, just to give you a heads up…

Thank you for your time,
Ed Voice

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Boo hoo
Guest
Boo hoo
3 years ago

Have your own parade , and rain on it.

stuber
Guest
stuber
3 years ago

So let’s see. The paint on the ramp won’t run off, but on the ground it will? How many turds will be processed and released into the river each day? How many gallons of raw gas and diesel are spilled just by people filling up their rigs each day? Or old cars with old engines dripping oil? If your worried about pollution, you should worry about the turd that just took office, and wanting the US back in the Paris climate accord. This allows the commie Chinese to continue to pollute rampantly, and economically punish the US. During the great trump era, the US reduced it’s carbon and CO2 emissions way below the accord demanded. China, India, and Brazil are horrible polluters, but #not my president plugs doesn’t care, he is owned by the green freaks on the left, which will cause us all to suffer. A container ship burns 7500 gallons of fuel an hour. They burn a lot just idling waiting to get in to be off loaded. maybe you should stop buying from China, and make stuff here. The newly elected turds encourage global trade, resulting in even more pollution. But you just keep monitoring that over spray, dude.

Steve Parr
Guest
Steve Parr
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

Pretty much my thoughts.

Miguel
Guest
Miguel
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve Parr

Wow. Couple of sore losers here. Bummer. Better luck next time.

Paint fumes
Guest
Paint fumes
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

That’s a heck of a rant stuber, and all before 7am. I hope your day goes better.

Ed, Shred the gnar man.

Meddy
Guest
Meddy
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

Skateboarding is not a crime

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

Except, I’m not discussing global pollution, raw sewage, gas/diesel spills and oil leaks, I’m sharing how hypocritical it is this so called public benefit organization (501c3) can say one thing and do another (double talk), i.e. how wonderful, awesome and groovy they claim to be for “Protection and restoration of riparian habitat for endangered fish and wildlife” at the Park (do as I say, not as I do), but then not care about all the paint on the ground when it comes to their own projects and development, e.g. leaving paint on the ground in a protected wetland, along a listed Wild & Scenic River with threatened and endangered species! Was that pretty much your thoughts?

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Is it something other than latex paint?

Latex paint isn’t toxic as long as it doesn’t contain mercury.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

You need to ask the Park Board or the Group building the Skate Ramp:

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
Ernie Branscomb
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Oil based paints are banned in California. Same as lead based paints. Modern paints are getting so safe that we will soon be able to drink them for breakfast.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
3 years ago

Yum.

Paint fumes
Guest
Paint fumes
3 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

If latex paint dries on the ground, I don’t see much difference with it dried on the ramp/house/etc.

Ed, I like your rants but this is plain dumb.

Nimby
Guest
Nimby
3 years ago

That’s a stretch Ed. I think you should direct efforts towards a more worthy cause. I cant imagine you would have to look hard to find something more pressing to rant about right now.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Nimby

What is “more worthy” than to try and save the South Fork Eel and its wildlife habitat?

And its not “a stretch”, they allowed paint to runoff into a protected wetland and river, and didn’t give it one thought, could care less were that paint ended up or how it could affect the environment at the Park!

Ed, ask them if you need a Domestic Use Registration! Enjoy
Guest
Ed, ask them if you need a Domestic Use Registration! Enjoy
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

You’ve jumped right to “11”. Perhaps the overspray won’t kill everything in sight. Perhaps instead of invoking the most worthless confused belly -button-focused agency: the WaterBoard, maybe you could come down and help spread a drop cloth, or somehow address the specifics of your concerns while still encouraging other positive, progressive activities in our community. Your heart is in the right place, hyperbole and threats diminish what minor validity your concerns reflect.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago

I don’t know how many times I have communicated to the Park Board my concerns, with either; they will get back to me and never do, no reply or to stop emailing them. And their Board meetings are not open to the public, RSVP only. So I make my concerns public, like this letter to the editor. Its to bad the Park Board does not have Board meetings open to the public, so these kinds of concerns can be addressed in person and in public. Thanks for asking…

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
3 years ago

Paint, once dry, is a very stable, non-toxic compound. I doubt they’re using anything with lead or chromium, the only things that make an exception to that rule. Also, the amount in that overspray is very small compared to the amount of paint applied to the structure that will wear off during use, and probably contributes much less to microparticle pollution than a single errant plastic bottle breaking down in the sun. I don’t see any problem here at all, other than that someone decided the best use of their time was to try to invent one.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

Why would they need to paint/primer under where the surface of the ramp will be placed? Maybe to keep mold, mildew and or dry rotting from happening? If so what is the chemical used in that paint/primer that makes it mold/mildew resistant?

“Also, the amount in that overspray is very small compared to the amount of paint applied to the structure that will wear off during use”.

That would explain why you can see all that white paint covering the ground below the ramp. You need to read what you just said again and if its makes any kind of sense…

Shred the gnar
Guest
Shred the gnar
3 years ago

Ed likes to complain but doesn’t live here. He will complain but do nothing to help. Not once has he ever attended the Eel river clean up day. I’m sure you found something wrong with those as well that you needed to complain about. Ed believe it or not I do appreciate some of the things you have shed light on. But now you’re just being petty.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Shred the gnar

It must be nice to be anonymous, say what ever you want, not be accountable. I had no idea you had to participate in a river clean up as a group on a specific date to help save the South Fork Eel. I thought you could just pick up trash on the river bar and in the river when ever you want, without asking permission? My bad, sorry I have not joined in on your Eel river clean up day, but I have been picking up trash off the South Fork Eel since the 60’s when I did live there and may times since!

Festus Haggins
Guest
Festus Haggins
3 years ago

There are Karen’s then there are Kevin’s. Fill out your appropriate name tag ED.

Paint Fumes
Guest
Paint Fumes
3 years ago
Reply to  Festus Haggins

Get it right, they are called Chad’s

Me
Guest
Me
3 years ago
Reply to  Paint Fumes

No

A Chad, in internet slang, is generally a sexually active “alpha male”. The term has a history of being used by incels and other manosphere groups, though it has also become a slang term across the internet and among adolescents in general to refer to particularly courageous or competent males.

Karen😁
Guest
Karen😁
3 years ago

Mr. Voice ASKED QUEDTIONS. All you ranters did not notice. Jump all over the guy who ASKS QUESTIONS. Silly people.
I do realize there is a “get ed voice” faction here 😁

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago

Good God, Ed!

A
Guest
A
3 years ago

Who would’ve thought it would be such a crime to do something good for the kids!

yesmeagain
Guest
yesmeagain
3 years ago
Reply to  A

Why is everything justified if it is allegedly “doing good for kiids”? I am unfamiliar with this project but over many years I have heard many projects with environmental impacts made OK because they were “good for kids.” Pollution, loss of species, climate change, etc. — none of those things are good for kids. Why can’t recreational facilities that are good for kids also be sited and constructed in ways that are also good for kids. The two things are not incompatible. Stop hiding behind “kids” as a justification for doing anything you like any which way you can. This was at best a sloppy job. Kids deserve better!

River Lover
Guest
River Lover
3 years ago

If you know anything about wetlands, you would know where the ramp is , is 100% NOT in a wetland. There is zero hydrophilic vegetation and the soils are very well drained. There is a wetland to the north of the ramp, however it is more than 100 feet away and it is actually upslope of the ramp… If you go to the park website and read the EIR and look at the maps, that lay out where different activities are planned to be in the park, you will find that the skate area is definitely Not in a protected wetland.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  River Lover

Here is a map of Area 5 (Sports Area) at the Kimtu Parking lot from the Parks EIR (page 159 of the pdf). So where are you claiming the Skate Ramp is located?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVvD4vt2iBNJP4abC6UQOTOniRrWsW0j/view?usp=sharing

The Park EIR:

https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/54894/Draft-Environmental-Impact-Report-Southern-Humboldt-Community-Park-April-26-2016-66MB-864-Pages?bidId=

River Lover
Guest
River Lover
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Not in the wetland. Have you been there? Are you familiar with wetland delineation? And pardon, wetlands are to the east of the ramp… if you look at the bio assessment maps, you can see all the planned areas and the wetlands. The maps show the skate area is not near the wetlands and further there is no wetland habitat. Anyone who knows anything about wetlands can see that. And that’s great.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  River Lover

To answer your questions, yes and yes. How do we know the ramp is built outside the wetland area, was there a survey made of the wetland delineation? The “BOTANICAL SURVEY, WETLAND DELINEATION, AND STREAM ASSESMENT RESULTS” in the Parks EIR was conducted in 2011 and the maps were produced in 2014, has the wetland area grown in size and scope? How can you be sure the Ramp is built on the designated “Skate Area”, since you would need to tear down the Ramp to build the in-ground concrete Skate Park that was planned for that area, outside the wetland? And you are wrong, according to:

Kyle S. Wear
Botanical Consultant
3484 Zelia Court
Arcata, CA 95521
[email protected]
(707) 826-1398

Since he prepared and conducted the wetland delineation at the Park, there is a wetland habitat at the Park in Area 5! Are you Kyle S. Wear?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  River Lover

River Lover ~ in your first post above you claim “There is a wetland to the north of the ramp”, then in your second post you claim “wetlands are to the east of the ramp…” So which is it?

I know that area very well Thank You, grew up just down stream on the North end of the bridge at River Crest, from 1966 until I sold the family house in 2015.

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Ed…What do the homes in the River Crest subdivision do with their sewage? Is there a any sewage treatment for that neighborhood? Is it all just septic tanks and leach fields. I do know that neighborhoods that close to the river in lower Redway were forced to pump their sewage into the town collection system due to untreated sewage leaching into the river. As for your beef with the Park and Mateel the fact is the first heavy rain washes a pollutant load into the river in a few days that dwarfs any runoff created by the Park or French’s in a year.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

You know the answer Dave, ask Jim Johnson. And according to Randall Sand & Gravel, they are not on the river bar or in the floodplain, so how can those River Crest homes be that close to the river?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

And of course Dave, you have all the documentation to back up everything you said, Right? Or is it just wishful thinking on your part…

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago

Does your house have paint on it Ed?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I just love these equivocal down the wabbit hole questions, which have nothing to do with my questions, but yet they persist by avoiding the question or using logical fallacies, because they cannot justify or answer the question without avoiding the truth, i.e. “doesn’t live here”, “Modern paints are getting so safe that we will soon be able to drink them for breakfast.”, “the amount in that overspray is very small compared to the amount of paint applied to the structure that will wear off during use”. Then your wabbit hole question, “Does your house have paint on it Ed?”. No, my current house has aluminum siding.

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Does your car have paint on it?

Over spray or bust
Guest
Over spray or bust
3 years ago

Ed thanks for bringing this important issue to light. I had no idea that they were constructing such an awesome ramp in so hum. This is great news 😊 my boy and I will be heading down to shred that beast. Skateboarding keeps a lot of kids busy and out of trouble. Well worth a bit of over spray.

Tyler Martin
Guest
Tyler Martin
3 years ago

With Ed’s amazing energy for environmental issues, it’s a shame he’s wasting it on such a non-issue. Especially after putting out energy like this without even verifying facts first. He’s been corrected in this comment section but continues to fight for his opinion, and is not graceful or insightful in his responses. Nor is he conceding to factual responses. Such vibrant fighting energy is wasted on the petty and pedantic. I am sure Ed wonders why no one ever listens to him. May he find the answers he seeks.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Tyler Martin

“without even verifying facts first” and “He’s been corrected in this comment section”. Sorry you missed all the facts I have given, from the photo’s off the Park facebook page, showing how they painted the ground under the skate ramp, maps and studies showing the skate ramp is in a protected wetland and who “corrected” me on this thread, who proved me wrong? No one, because they cannot!

The public needs to know that the Park Board does not care about open space, scenic beauty, protection and restoration of riparian habitat for endangered fish, wetlands and wildlife at the Park, the Park Board only cares about how much money they can make off the natural resources, while promoting economic development at the Park. They are nothing but a private rent-a-park, nothing more, nothing less…

justanotherperson
Guest
justanotherperson
3 years ago

Man, I’d think you could get behind some a bit more egregious and continually environmentally destructive, like logging on rainbow ridge, dead cattle in streams out that way, etc.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago

It does not matter how big or small the adverse environmental impact is in the Garberville area, if you are the Southern Humboldt Community Park Board or any of their partners, lease holders, or minions, they get a pass, they think they are above environmental laws and accountability. Maybe with a new 2nd District Supervisors, things will change, not holding my breath.

I posted this on RHBB back on July 2020, this is right across the river from the Park and the property owner leases property for their Sand & Gravel operation from the Park Board. I know it might be a small clear cut, but they all start, small, with no permits and the next thing you know, poof, its all gone. Still nothing has been done, even after filling complaints with the County!

https://kymkemp.com/2020/07/08/letter-to-the-editor-concerned-about-ecocide-at-sohum-business/

So yeah, I get what you are saying…

Skate or die
Guest
Skate or die
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

How dare you try to take the one thing my kid is looking forward too. Leave them be. Ed I hope for you to donate money to finish the ramp. Poor kids no school. No sports. Now someone try to take the one ramp they have. Sooo messed up. Shame on you.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Skate or die

Who the hell is trying to “take the one ramp they have”. The one ramp they had fell apart years ago and is in a heap over by the barn. I made no reference to not build this new Skate Ramp, its not my fault they built it in a protected wetland (where it should not have been built) and did a sloppy, piss poor job painting it without protecting that area from paint overspray, because they did not give a rats ass. Well, I give a rats ass about that area and don’t come crying to me about your kid, I grew up there (K-12) don’t tell me what they don’t have in Southern Humboldt, I know all to well. But we didn’t sit around on our pity pot yelling at the moon.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago
Reply to  Skate or die
Martin Fosnaugh
Guest
Martin Fosnaugh
3 years ago

I’ll have to go there and access it before I comment
I can’t imagine a great overspray but I’ll see.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
3 years ago

FYI, email from 03-5-2021:

Hi Mr. Voice

Thank you for your concern. Building has an open CE20-0860 case for the Southern Humboldt Community Park, APN 222-091-015-000, The applicant is in contact and in progress with addressing the unpermitted skate board structure issues.

Thank you

Keith Ingersoll

Chief Building Official

Planning and Building Department

3015 H Street | Eureka, CA 95501

Phone: 707-445-7245 | Fax: 707-445-7446

Email: [email protected]