Hi everyone, Please click on this link for an eye-opening, scary look at the reality of wastewater on Bonaire - especially as it relates to the Freewinds. Kudos to the filmmakers for creating this documentary. What can be done to help???

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajnukeykjc&amp;nr=1>

Hi, Blue...the video won't come up on the site right now but it might be the same one under another thread/topic on the board already. If it is the footage by Sean and Hendrik that's the same one and it is very concerning, to say the least. See if you can find the other threads from FRI/Sat of last week or so. Ayo. Carole

Go to "Landfill Bonaire" thread ..
Also in todays EXTRA (Head Line) Boi reports that GREEN PEACE has stepped into the situation.
Three cheers

Green Peace vs. Scientologists... the mind boggles. All we need now is a photo of the Freewinds crew doing something cruel to a goat or donkey and get PETA involved...

In all seriousness: I agree, Brian - Green Peace will hopefully put the spotlight that's needed on the problem with waste water dumping. And Blue, I also would like to know what we can do to help.

Blue, while I commend Sean and Hendrik for their recent efforts in making the wastewater and landfill issues public knowledge, and while the Freewinds surely adds to the problems, blaming or even implying that cruise ships alone are the cause is misleading and erroneous.

At approximately three minutes into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AJNukeykjc Sean walks up to one of the yellow trucks which was dumping asking if it is from the Freewinds and is told "No" then he states that it was from somewhere else. So you see, blaming the Freewinds for a problem which also has local points of origin, is bogus.

Like Susan, I would like to know what we can do to help.

Tom, where do ALL the septics pump..Freewinds contributes along with me and even you when you visit. Soon more cruise ships will come...those pools of septic waste will overflow if they are allowed to pump in BON as well. What to do??

Ann, exactly my point, we are all guilty. So, now that that is understood, what has to be done? Damned simple if you ask me, waste water needs proper treatment and recycling of as much solid waste as possible. Again, how can those of us that do not reside on Bonaire help to make this happen - SOON?!?!

I remembered putting up some of Captain Don's writings that pertained to this problem:
Don's Challenges

Check out "Scenarios".

By the size of the "sh$t pits", this has been going on a long time. I'm sure everyone in power knows very well about it. I wish the Queen had seen it on her last visit. More funds are needed.
Proper management. All cruse ship dumping should stop.

Truth be told, we can't do a dam thing.


Maybe the government of Bonaire needs to be embarrassed, that they allowed this to take place.

What if every hotel, restraint, dive shop, airlines, hospital, doctors, schools, got a email with the two vid's, my guess, nothing.
I'm sorry, but I do think the people of Bonaire feel helpless against the Gov, so they just look the other way.

We all know that the police are a bit corrupt,
should we think any different about the Gov?

Sorry, didn't mean to imply or suggest that the Freewinds was the only culprit. But now I am even more concerned about the planned increase in cruise tourism to Bonaire. Tom is right, the yellow truck was not from the Freewinds. Obviously there is no sewage treatment plant on island, so others are using septic systems - or should be - and these are far from infallible.

Jerry is right, money and beaureaucracy are the biggest obstacles to a treatment solution. Cruise ship dumping needs to be stopped immediately. Thank goodness the videographers aren't looking the other way. The problems are harder to deny and pretend away when they are made visible.

Could it be possible that The Netherlands, which is known for being a world leader in sustainable technologies, would become more involved in funding solutions to these problems?

Susan, A most excellent link and thank you so much for posting it.

I'm willing to bet that Bonaire will go on "Business as usual" and in the very near future it will be to late, the cost of clean-up will be staggering. The wild animals, what's left of them will start to get sick and die, causing a totally new set of problems. Then small children and the elderly become ill. Once bacteria takes hold, it's a whole other ball game.

Goat stew,

2 lbs of fresh goat meat laced with paint thinner, battery acid, oil,lead, human waste, and some good ol glow in the dark stuff.

2 cups of rusty water.

Boil for two hundred years.

This is really nothing new.. What Bonaire needs is a waste water treatment plant which many people (as well as the local politicians) already know. Hopefully with the $$ which will be forthcoming on the integration with the Netherlands this may finally become a reality. I sincerely hope so!!

Vince, not in our life time.

Ann, if you would keep your septic tank healthy you would never need the sewage truck .... never put chloride etc in your toilet, only use bio-degradable soap products etc - has a kind of green label on the package - and use the water from the 3rd chamber of your septic tank to water your garden and than you help in another way for not using drinking water for your garden.

Hi Jerry.. Respectfully, I disagree. I'll wager an Amsdel that within 3 years one will be started.

Well, what do you know?
Here's something WE might actually do something about.
Let's see how deeply you folks really feel about sorting things out.
I figure a soil survey and overall survey of ambient conditions in proximity of the land fill and waste water dump will run about US 9,000.
That would include the cost associated with importing registered eco biologist and support members.
Suspect we can get them in place within two weeks ( perticularly if we have enough support from the GREEEN PEACE folks)
The surveys would be indesputable proof of the bio hazards and ( bad eco management practices) in place on this little island and could be great ammo for causing the overall (re-think) of development here.
Not only would the surveys be a drive for immediate appraisals - the mid term - long range remediation could possible cut short the pending failure of this island to exist.
So, let's DO SOMETHING SHALL WE?
Instead of asking "What we can do" Let's say "What we will do!"
What we will do is deposit US$5,000 in MCB (account to be set up in AM Thursday).
We will post the MCB account number by Friday.
All those folks that feel as strongly as you seem to purvey - LET'S DO IT!!
The funding will be used to contract Lab service techs and ultimately publish findings to the world conservation league and UN accredited ecological teams
Are you in....

Please be aware I do not believe Greenpeace is on island. Someone named Greenpeace posted a video on Youtube and the video was seen by many of us in Bonaire. Someone assumed that person was Greenpeace. I do not think the legit organization was or is on island. but someone can correct me?

B, I have a septic pump that Capt. Don and Janet set up...LOVE my septic pump!! It's done by hand, mind you..(LOL)...

Vince, you're on. I hope you win!

Just got a response to a note I sent out.




"Dear Mr. Gauron,

Thank you for your email and for your interest in Bonaire's development.

Your comments will be taken into consideration.

Pls. be assured that Bonaire's cruise toursim will not grow into masses.

I do understand your concern and will pass it on to other appropriate authorities.

Sincerely,

Ronella Croes

Director
Tourism Corporation Bonaire
E-mail: gm@tourismbonaire.com

Kaya Grandi # 2, Kralendijk

T: +599 717-8322

C: +599 786-8322

F: +599 717-8408



www.infobonaire.com

www.bonaireregatta.com

www.bonairejazz.com

check out new stream video's @

www.visitbonaire.tv, www.visitbonaire.tv/dive, www.visitbonaire.tv/kite



THIS SUMMER: BONAIRE DIVE INTO SUMMER www.bonairediveintosummer.com."

Any wastewater can be a problem because it increases the nutrient load and facilitates explosive growth that can wipe out a reef very quickly. It is true that crusie ships can increase the bioload dramatically. For example, Cozumel has about 3000 visitor beds but receives 6-8 cruise ship visitations per day.

The first step is to locate where the waste water is being discharged into the ocean. All waste water goes to the ocean no matter where it is dumped. Once it is located it can be tested for nutrients and, if necessary human only content. Then, if necessary, the source can be identified.

All the above is being done in the Los Angeles basin. The issue for Bonaire, however, is money. It is unrealistic to expect that Bonaire would have the budget that LA has.

We are currently conducting an experimental test on Bonaire where we have supplied STINAPA with low-cost sensors we have used to identify waste water in LA. Two locations have (or will soon be) installed that will monitor temperature and visability every 8 miniutes. This is the first step in building a baseline of current conditions so that change can be accurately measuted.

Now, STINAPA would love to have more expensive sensors that would detect fresh water and monitor nutrients directly. However, we can't supply the more expensive instruments on a long term basis because they are committed to the project that funded them. We will be installing some more expensive sensors when we return in August and will collect data for about 2 weeks. This, however, is all we can do.

If you want to fix this problem the answer is to fund STINAPA to procure the instruments necessary to accurately detect nutrient rich waste water and identify the offender. Our experience in the States indicates that only then will a government take action.

It would be nice to have 20 temp/visability testing locations (as opposed to the 2 we have funded) and the sensor set for each location is only about $150 USD. That would be a start.

It would be nice to add a fresh water sensor to each site. That would cost about $1000 usd per site.

We are prepared to assist the local people and provide technology transfer based on our experience in LA. That, combined with local resources and knowledge of the Bonaire system would allow development of a system that would protect the reef.

What is missing is funding.

Tom Reynolds
Prof. Burt Jones Lab
University of Southern California

Welcome to BT Tom.
Thank you for taking the time to post that info. I hope you have a nice trip. Do look up the sh$t pits, take a test of that, bur do protect yourself.

Tom,
Excellent suggestions and I think very makeable. When you say "the answer is to fund STINAPA", do you mean for BT'ers to send contributions that are earmarked for these sensors directly to STINAPA, or that money for sensors can be sent to your research team to then be installed at the sites you mentioned?

Brian,
Great idea about the bank account too. Could the money in the account be dedicated to funding the sensor program? Or are you more concerned about the landfill and would like to focus on that?

We are bulding momentum! Now what is the best way to proceed?

blue mcright

STINAPA is in charge. They know Bonaire much better than we do (although we dive there often). If Ramon get the money directly he can decide how he best wants to use it. If you send it to us, we will simply ask Ramon what he wants us to purchase for him (we will take no profit)

Right now I believe the top priority is for sensors that detect fresh water. That is the fastest way to determine runoff locations that may be contimanation Unfortunately that is a thousand dollar instrument.

The $150 sensor set is more in line with what most people migh spring for.

How to generate interest:

I suspect it would be good for Professor Burt Jones to give a talk on Bonaire and advise all what the options are. That would generate interest.

Plus we will have more data in August

In January we took samples home to LA to test for human content. Those samples haven't been run yet due to cost ( we need to piggyback on an existing funded program) but will be shortly. Plus, in August we will have date from the two existing sensors.

Our contacts on Bonaire are "Albert Bianculli" <directab@gmail.com>, "Caren Eckrich" <ceckrich@ciee.org>. They will be servicing the two installations.

We can help but this has to be a Bonaire thing.

Tom

Aren't we kind of done talking?
How about some commitment?
I am not familiar with the on going work but ok..
at $150 per unit / $1000 per site - who wants to sign up.
Let's get the responsible party, set up something and DO IT don't just talk.
If USC is going to be stand up for this, that will do. ( Though not my school, I always had a soft spot for the Trojans)
Let's get serious - you folks want to make a difference - want to help our little rock ?
Is it really going to set you back to stand up and put your money in -
I have the account at MCB going - want to use it or spot directly to SC.
Somebody ? Let's fix this.

It would be best, I believe to fund this directly to SC or their designated rep as STINAPA has far, far too many financial short comings and the funding might not get to where it needs to be in the most expeditious manner

On an aside, it would help if all the new places being built had self sustaining/healthy septic tanks. By that I mean the 3 tier type that Brigitte Kley refers to in the above post where gray water can be used for irrigation etc and the waste is kept down through natural processes.

Monitoring is wonderful for the information that will be used in present and future decisions.

Making sure what is being built NOW is not adding to the problem can change the present.

(Message edited by sporter on May 17, 2007)

(Message edited by sporter on May 17, 2007)

(Message edited by sporter on May 17, 2007)

Those who are having places built on Bonaire should make sure what sort of septic arrangement is being built in their project and make sure it is one that doesn't add to the problem.

Dear Brian,

I'm not really sure what you mean by "financial short comings" but I can assure you as a member of the Board of Directors of STINAPA Bonaire, that anytime a donation is received and earmarked for a specific program and/or project, that is precisely what the funds are used for...nothing more, nothing less.

STINAPA Bonaire's reputation is known not only in the Caribbean but around the world as one of the most professionally run and financially accountable organizations of it's type in the entire Caribbean and we (the Board, Management and Staff) are extremely proud of that fact and work tirelessly (the Board members voluntarily I might add) to maintain this reputation.

I really have no particular feeling in regards to where funds are deposited as long as the need is met and thank all of you for your concern and willingness to help. Without your help and generous contributions through purchase of Park Tags, Nature Fee Tags indirect as well as direct contributions, our management and staff would not be able to manage the natural resources of Bonaire under our care.

I would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to each of you on behalf of all other Board members, Management and staff of STINAPA Bonaire.

Regards,
Jack Chalk, Member
Board of Directors
STINAPA Bonaire

SO, WHAT'S GONG TO BE THE PROGRAM ? WHERE DO WE ANTE UP AND WHAT DO GET FOR THE INVESTMENT.
IF THERE'S ALREADY A PROGRAM IN PLACE WITH U.S.C
SEEMS THAT IT'S THE LIKELY SHORT CUT TO MAKING SOMETHING HAPPEN ??

Hello Brian,

I'm not familiar with the entire program as that is the task of the Ramon and the management team. The Board mainly involves itself with policy as opposed to daily operations, however I would suggest that you contact Ramon and see what his thoughts are. marinepark@stinapa.org

With the limited knowledge that I have of this specific project, your suggestion sounds appropriate to me.

Regards,
Jack

Hi everyone,

Please forgive me for not posting recently as things here have been more than hectic. In addition I have been doing some homework on these issues and have been in contact with the USC researchers, BNMP and others to seek direction on the best ways to proceed in the most productive manner possible.

I am putting together the last pieces of info and will be posting in the next day or so about two separate and equally important ways that BT'ers can help forward the cause of wastewater research and management on Bonaire.

Thank you all for your concern and willngness to help; please stay tuned for more info coming soon.

Blue

Hi again everyone,

OK! There has been a lot going on with all this recently and the emails have been flying. Net result of all the suggestions and advice: there are two important things that we all can do

The first action, a letter writing campaign to urge the Island Council to take steps to remedy the wastewater situation, is ON!

The second action will be a fundraising effort within the BT community (and anyone else who wishes to participate) to supply STINAPA and the BNMP with the money to purchase additional sensor sets in order to expand the important research being done to monitor water quality (see Tom Reynolds' posts above in this thread). The fundraising effort is set to launch next week after STINAPA formally approves this proposal and lets me know how best for everyone to send their contributions.

For complete details on all of this, there is a new thread that is specifically related to these actions and has all the details. Please go to the topic "Local Items" to find the thread, which is called "Wastewater on Bonaire - What We Can Do To Help"

Thanks to everyone - let's pull together to make a difference!

For legal reasons please be advised that Bonaire Talk Community Inc. is not involved in raising funds for the above project at this time, nor will monies be donated at this time by BTCI.

Thank you for the clarification, Freddie. Any donations made will be on a strictly individual basis by people interested in supporting this research.

HI everyone, There are some exciting new developments about the expanded Sensor Program and I wanted to make sure that everyone who is interested knows that the newer thread under Local Items, "Wastewater on Bonaire - What We Can Do To Help" is where the most current information is. Go to:

www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/319365.html?1180824857

Thanks and stay tuned!