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Permit for Cove Point LNG is a Done-Deal

To the Editor:

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• China Harvests Organs From Live Prisoners
• After US Trade Talks China Invests $3billion
• Jimmy Carter: 'Bush Worse than Nixon'
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Some of you were at the Dominion Cove Point LNG public hearing May 15th. The climate then was very pro-Dominion, a done deal, but we, the taxpayers/citizens in HIGH RISK COMMUNITIES kept up hope that MDE would be responsible when presented with the facts. A few of you asked what can the average citizen do about this pollution issue? Since then, we have been proactive, as follows:

June 1st: I appealed to the Governor and asked for a meeting with Gov O'Malley while the decision is still in State's hands, in an effort to make MDE do the right thing. (see 3rd email below)

June 15th, followed up on the meeting request through MD Senator Roy Dyson who had his formal letter hand delivered to the Governor's office in Annapolis.

June 25th, MDE Secretary Shari T. Wilson issued a standard response letter to both Senator Dyson and myself,  'Currently reviewing comments from public hearing'. Purpose of Operating Permit is to ensure that regulatory requirements required to protect public health are met.'

Not satisfied with Ms Wilson's standard answer, I followed up with a phone call to the Governor's office last week of June and then again by email July 2nd, asking for where we stand on the meeting request with the Governor.

July 9, 2007 � Gov's office gave 3 dates for meeting between Governor O'Malley, Senator Dyson, and myself.: July 25th or July 31st or August 3rd.  We are scheduled to meet with Governor O'Malley at his office on Aug 3rd.

July 20, 2007 (last Friday) MDE-ARMA issued via USPS written notification of their final decision on approving permit for Dominion Cove Point LNG Title V, stating no adverse effects on public health and the environment. (No changes to MDE's position since the public hearing. ) I received MDE's notice by postal mail on July 23, 2007 (Monday).   The letter addressed to "Dear Concerned Citizen" was on a copy of the MDE stationery and was not signed by anyone in MDE. Is this how unprofessional and uncaring MDE has become?

July 24, 2007 � MDE informs us in their notification of Title V permit approval that this date is the deadline for appealing their decision with EPA. To the few of us who received the MDE letter July 23rd, MDE gave us only ONE DAY notice to file our appeal to the EPA!!  MDE gave only postal mail addresses for US EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and George Aburn/MDE-ARMA. In the essence of time, I had to research the internet and call EPA to get email address and FAX for US EPA-Mr. Johnson.

See email below for my personal appeal to the EPA and request for an EPA public hearing. You are receiving a copy of the emails sent and the documents (attached)forwarded to EPA. I have requested for "Read Reply" on the EPA appeal email and so far the only ones who have chosen to respond (acknowledged receipt/read the email) are Senator Dyson, Senator Mikulski's office, and the Governor's office.

Because of the ONE DAY deadline MDE gave us, I wanted all avenues covered, so the few concerned citizens whom I was able to reach on such extremely short notice, sent their July 24th appeals to Stephen L. Johnson, US EPA Administrator via one or more of the following: email, FAX, and postal mail. Several of us used all three media just to be sure we got Mr. Johnson/EPA's attention July 24th.

MDE-ARMA's 19-page justification of their decision is "amusing", but a sad case, full of technical explanations,  yet did not provide a satisfactory answer to the questions I asked. Some questions were not answered at all, some answers were contradictory, others a rehash of the standard answers they had been giving in previous documents. The regurgitation of old hash simply confirms the climate of a "done deal" that permeated the public hearing. How seriously has Dominion penetrated the regulatory process?

As it stands, MDE is trying every means to make Dominion's Title V Permit APPEAR TO COMPLY at the expense of the air we breathe. MDE stated in their decision: "It is important to note that a Title V permit is used to monitor and track a facility's emissions and compliance status. It is not used to establish new emission limits or standards or TO ASSESS AIR QUALITY OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS."    (huh?)

We had asked MDE to require Dominion to install at its expense (drop in the bucket cost of doing business) tracking and monitoring equipment for ambient air locally, but MDE has ignored this reasonable request and approved "no changes" and for Dominion to continue minimal self monitoring only, same as usual ( the fox in the henhouse) and MDE just accepts Dominion's figures which are OUTRAGEOUS and TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! Why is MDE called the "Air and Radiation Management Administration" if they are not responsible and accountable for ensuring that we breathe healthy air? So what is MDE's purpose if they fail to meet their Mission and Vision? Our toxic air quality and impact to the environment and the Chesapeake Bay are due to Dominion Cove Point LNG toxic air emissions (which also become toxic particulate matter and nitrates), so how can a regulatory body like MDE state so boldly this lack of responsibility and accountability? The pathetic MDE response is  "uh, that toxic air is for reporting only....ah....we are concerned only with the air quality impact at LNG terminal.....the rest of those.....water, land, Chesapeake Bay......uhuh, not in my turf."

MDE states on their website http://www.mde.state.md.us the following as their mission and vision:
MDE Mission
The mission of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is to protect and restore the quality of Maryland�s air, water, and land resources, while fostering smart growth, economic development, healthy and safe communities, and quality environmental education for the benefit of the environment, public health, and future generations.
MDE Vision
MDE's vision is to ensure a clean environment and excellent quality of life for Marylanders.

MDE is not performing according to their own mission and vision. What can be done about this? Employees in non-government organizations and companies would be fired for non-performance, lack of responsibility and accountability for the actions MDE has taken related to the handling of Dominion's Title V permit at the expense of public health and the environment. If you were the manager of MDE what would you do?

It is our sincere hope that YOU, THE NEWS MEDIA and the Governor will be helpful in assuring that the government (state and federal) truly address PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT as the PRIMARY CONCERN and as the fulfillment of MDE's mission and vision.

June Sevilla and the taxpayers/citizens of High Risk Communities
"If you want to play the numbers game, buy a lottery ticket. We will not be collateral damage!"

June Sevilla-Board Member, Cove Point Beach Association
representing the HIGH RISK Communities adjacent to the Cove Point LNG Facility:

Cove Point Beach Association (130 property owners)

Chesapeake Ranch Estates (5,000 residents)

Other concerned residents and communities

Undercover Underage Patrol Nabs Offenders
BUDDS CREEK — Police report that on July 13 between the hours of 2100 and 0100 hours Senior Deputy First Class Emory Johnson, Senior Deputy First Class Michael Peacher and Deputy First Class Dale Reppel conducted an under cover underage alcohol patrol of the Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek. One twenty year old female from La Plata was cited for possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under twenty one and one sixteen year old female was cited for possession of a tobacco product by a person under eighteen.

N. J Man Charged With Possession
Worcester County —- According to the NPR on Sunday, July 15, at 3:15 a.m., Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested a New Jersey man on drug charges in the campground of Assateague State Park. Domenic D. Spagnola, 42, of Garfield, N.J. was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana, and possession of CDS paraphernalia after officers observed a multi-colored glass pipe containing suspected marijuana on the passenger’s floorboard of his truck. Officers noticed the pipe while checking vehicles in the camper parking lot for valid camping permits. A search of the vehicle also uncovered two clear plastic bags of suspected marijuana.   A court date of October 5 has been scheduled for Spagnola in Worcester County District Court.

Drinking and Dumb
Worcester County — The NPR report that on Friday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m., Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Connecticut man for underage drinking in the campground of Assateague State Park. Brandon Fuller Grant, 20, of Pomfret Center, Conn. was observed consuming an alcoholic beverage in plain view as officers patrolled the campground. He was charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age.

Port Republic Kid Charged with Arson

PORT REPUBLIC --- A 9-year-old youth from Port Republic has been charged with setting fire to the Scientists Cliff Community Center. The fire was set on July 15th at 9:27 am, a Sunday that this kid wasn't in Sunday school but busy playing with matches. The St. Leonard Vol. Fire Department responded to find that the fire had gone out before their arrival. But damage to the property did amount to $500, according to Maryland Deputy Fire Marshal Howard F. Ewing.

Teenie-Bopper FireBug Arrested

          LEXINGTON PARK -- Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a fifteen-year-old Lexington Park youth with arson in connection with an early January incident where a home under construction and a nearby truck were set ablaze. Reported on January 11, 2007, the fires damaged a home under construction at 46053 West Westbury Boulevard and a truck owned by Eagle Excavating and Concrete. Damage to the dwelling owned by Ryland Homes was estimated at $4,000 and the truck damage was estimated at $1,000.

The investigation revealed the youth used available combustible materials to ignite the blazes on the interior of the home and inside the cab of the truck. Recent information was developed leading to witnesses who identified the youth as having ignited both fires.

The youth was referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for further action.

Burned out car was torched, says fire marshal

WELCOME (July 8) --- A car stolen on Friday from Greenbelt was set afire yesterday after the joy apparently went of the ride for the car thieves.

Maryland State Deputy Fire Marshal W. Faron Taylor reported to ST. MARY’S TODAY that a 2001 Dodge Neon was stolen from Ryan Baldwin in Prince Georges County and was discovered burning behind a vacant house located at 7730 Annapolis Woods Road, Welcome, in Charles County.

The loss was set at $3,000 by Deputy State Fire Marshal J. Frye.

The fire was controlled in 5 minutes by the Marbury Volunteer Fire Department.

This fire marks another in a series of arson fires in the past week to motor vehicles, mail boxes and an apartment building in Waldorf.

Two Golden Beach youths were charged last week with setting fire to a home in that community, to cover up a theft of a golf cart.

A man was charged with the apartment house fire where 2 people were injured when they jumped fleeing the blaze.

Last week a stolen Harley Davidson was set afire in Bryans Road and someone torched a Ford Ranger in Waldorf.

Natural Resources Police Recover 2 Drowning Victims, Rescue

Stranded Jet Skiers, Make Drug Arrests

The following actions statewide were taken by the officers of the Maryland Natural Resources Police:

Garrett County - On Friday, June 29, at 5 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged Michael Andrew Clawson and Justin Alexander Craigie, both 19 and of Frederick, and Bianca Lisette Rodriguez, 19, of Mount Airy, with drug violations in the area of Mayhew Inn Road and Lake Shore Drive. NRP stopped their vehicle for failing to stop at the stop sign at Lake Shore Road and almost striking the officer’s vehicle.
Clawson and Rodriguez were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), schedule II; possession of CDS, marijuana; and possession of CDS, paraphernalia. Craigie was charged with possession of CDS, marijuana, and possession of CDS, paraphernalia. The three were transported to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office for processing and taken before a District Court Commissioner, where they were released on personal recognizance.

Garrett County - On Saturday, June 30, at 5:12 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to Swallow Falls State Park for a report of a possible drowning.
Alvin Louis Garner, 43, of Norfolk, Va., along with three other individuals, was swimming in the Youghiogheny River at the second set of falls in the park. The four had entered the park through a side path to access an area of the river that is not a controlled swim area. Garner was noticed missing at 4:16 p.m. by one of the party while they swam.
An NRP helicopter conducted an aerial search of the area while NRP Underwater Operation Unit members and divers from the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department searched below. Garner’s body was recovered by Deep Creek divers at 9:05 p.m. and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad, Oakland Volunteer Fire Department and the Maryland State Park Service assisted NRP with the incident.

Kent County - On Friday, June 29, at 7:50 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to the area of Green Point in Worton Creek for a report of a missing person.
Francis Joseph Bevenour, 54, of Philadelphia Pa., was reported missing by his wife to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Thursday afternoon. NRP conducted a search of the area utilizing patrol vessels, K-9 units and Underwater Operation Unit members all day Friday with negative results. NRP resumed search efforts on Saturday morning and recovered Bevenour’s body in the creek at 2 p.m. Bevenour’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The incident is still under investigation.

Worcester County - On Friday, June 29, at 11 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police rescued two western shore men from the waters of the Isle of Wight Bay near Ocean Pines.
Stephen Trancucci, of Bel Air, and Joshua Dresher, of Abingdon, both 28, were operating a personal watercraft (PWC) in the area when the craft became disabled at 8 p.m. NRP was patrolling the area and observed an unidentified radar contact approximately one-half mile due east of Pines Point Marina. No visible navigation lights could be seen in the area of the radar contact so the NRP patrol vessel altered course and initiated a search of the area with a spotlight.Both men told officers that they had been drifting in the Isle of Wight Bay since approximately 8 p.m. The men stated that on several occasions they attempted to gain the attention of passing boaters by waving their lifejackets in the air and blowing their whistle; however their distress signals went unnoticed. NRP transported the men and their disabled PWC safely back to their residence located in the area of 32^nd St. off Isle of Wight Bay.NRP reminds boaters to keep a sharp look out while transiting Maryland's waterways for hazards to navigation, regular boating traffic, or boaters in need of assistance. NRP also remind vessel operators that carrying emergency distress signaling devices beyond those called for by federal and state regulations could be a welcomed and useful addition to their safety equipment.

Worcester County - On Friday, June 29, at 10:29 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Delaware man for driving while intoxicated in Assateague State Park.
Randall Kevin Cathell, 31, of Delmar, Del., was stopped for speeding. After taking field sobriety tests, Cathell was placed under arrest and transported to the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack. Cathell took a breath test, which showed a blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent. He was subsequently charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol per se, and driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol.

Worcester County - On Saturday, July 1, at 4:50 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged an Ocean City man with drug charges in the camper parking lot of Assateague State Park. NRP responded to the area for a disorderly conduct complaint. When officers arrived, they found a group of 20 individuals gathered around several parked vehicles playing a radio loudly, dancing and consuming alcoholic beverages.
Ramil Khayderovich Lyaushin, 26, of Ocean City, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), marijuana, and possession of CDS, paraphernalia, after NRP found a plastic water bottle between the driver’s seat and door jam of his vehicle that was modified to contain and inhale marijuana. The Worcester County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police assisted NRP with the incident.