Credibility . . .

Credibility — “the quality or power of inspiring belief“

How do you know if someone is telling the truth? You don’t. You have to take what you hear, weigh it against what you already know, and see if it logically fits. When things fit together seamlessly, what is said is credible.

When you do not know a lot about a subject, things can seem to fit together more easily — like the early stages of a jigsaw puzzle. When you do not know a lot about a subject, you tend to trust the other person if that person is thought to have higher knowledge — is an “expert,” or if that person has been given a position of trust. It is assumed that the person is being truthful.

Sometimes trust can be used to mislead.

That is the issue raised by Assemblyman Townsend last week in a press release on “Why we need an independent study of our water supply.” He cites several reasons to question whether or not the public is getting a true picture from the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, and reason to question Mr. Becher’s assertions in particular.

For some reason the major media outlets in Utica-Rome have not sought to print this press release. Perhaps they think it not polite to openly question the credibility of a public official.

But Mr. Townsend seems to think there is good reason to.

Here is some reading on the subject.

• NO ONE KNEW HOW MUCH WAS IN THE TILL – HOW SYRACUSE CITY HALL LOST TRACK OF YOUR MONEY
• HOW SYRACUSE CITY HALL LOST TRACK OF YOUR MONEY – TALE BEGINS WITH BLANK LEDGERS
• FORMER CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR: “I FACED ENORMOUS ADVERSITY’

Now you decide for yourself whether you want to believe what you hear from the MVWA . . . or not.

Proof of Ownership . . .

I see that MV EDGE is getting itself into the water dispute, with Mr. DiMeo protecting his baby, the Mohawk Valley Water Authority.

This is one person who is sick and tired of hearing EDGE, MVWA, Becher, etc. say things like “Solid research already shows we have an abundant water supply,” because the issue is not the abundance water, but who has the rights to it.

” Water authority officials contend they are entitled to draw up to 48.5 million gallons of water a day”

They need to prove that. Make them produce the deeds.

They can’t.

They will produce a document from the state that reserves that amount of water from the State’s taking for the canal — but a reservation is not a grant. MVWA has to prove that it purchased its own rights to the water from ALL the private landowners along West Canada Creek below its point of diversion. From at least two of the instruments recorded at the County Clerk’s office, it is clear that MVWA has no right to withdraw water when water in the creek is low without replenishment from its own reservoir.

In an nutshell, MVWA’s permit to operate a water supply depends upon a 1917 agreement with the State being in full force and effect. The permit says so. The agreement requires replenishment when flow is low. Without that agreement, MVWA’s rights can be no greater than those previously purchased from the private landowners — some of which also require replenishment. The state agreement is similar to some of the earlier private agreements. The state agreement requires MVWA to maintain its own reservoir at Gray, and to expand it to almost 1/4 the volume of Hinckley in order to take the full 48.5 MGD MVWA now claims. If this is not done, the agreement states there is NO right to take ANY water.

Mr. Becher does not tell you these things.

The County’s comprehensive water supply study from 1968 acknowledges that the Utica area’s right to water depends on the state agreement, and recommends expansion of Gray Reservoir to the full 6 billion gallons to ensure enough water JUST FOR EASTERN ONEIDA COUNTY (and parts of Herkimer).

Mr. Picente does not tell you this.

Looking at all this information, it is clear that the movers and shakers getting all the press are leaving important things out . . . and

Mr. DiMeo does not know what he is talking about.

Lawsuits in the Making?

Capital News 9 reports “Canal closing early leaves businesses high and dry.” It seems that canal marinas are taking a hit because boaters are in a rush trying to get out of the canal before it closes.

“This time of year most of your boats are headed back south because they got to get out of the system,” said Bernie Brandow, St.Johnsville Marina Owner.

This year they have to get out even earlier. An end of season rush could mean big business for Brandow and other marinas along the Mohawk. Except for one thing, boaters aren’t stopping.

“They’re trying to make up time so they’re not stopping at night for dockage or fuel. That’s basically the hold up here,” said Brandow. . . .

The problem is every time that lock opens one point five millions gallons of water flushes down stream and needs to be replaced with water upstream at the Hinckley reservoir. That’s where water is at its lowest level since 1915 when the reservoir was created.

Hmm . . . If the Mohawk Valley Water Authority was complying with its old agreement with the state, it would be contributing from its Gray Reservoir the equivalent of its entire draw from Hinckley for drinking water — about 21 million gallons per day (MGD) based on the Water Authority’s 2002 engineering report. Divide by 1.5 MGD for each lock closing and you get an extra 14 lock closings per day that would be possible if MVWA obeyed its agreement — TIMES the 18 locks between Herkimer and the Hudson. THAT’S 252 fewer lock closings a day that can be attributed by math to MVWA’s non-compliance. Sound’s like a lot of inconvenience to boaters, disruption to shippers, and lost business for marinas to me!

Shhh …. Someone might get the idea that MVWA should pay! There go the rates!

(See, kids, math can be fun.)

How about some more math? The flow out of the dam is now 120 CFS and the authority is not contributing the 30 CFS it is supposed to do. Would a flow of 150CFS be enough to keep the creek open for fishing? That is more lost business for some people.

Somehow the pictures of boats lining up, empty marinas, and no fishing signs are more compelling visuals than the one Mr. Becher uses with the fish tank and shot glass to show how “insignificant” the MVWA’s actions are.

Water for the Future . . .

Hinckley 9/29/07
By now people are starting to realize that even with abundant water resources around us, we will come up short if they are improperly managed. While plenty of blame for our current crisis may be heaped on the Canal Corporation, we must remember that the Mohawk Valley Water Authority is ultimately responsible for ensuring abundant water supplies to Greater Utica.

MVWA has abdicated its responsibility.

MVWA abdicated its responsibility when it destroyed Gray Dam in 2002 without having a back up plan. When water flows in the West Canada Creek are low — such as now — the MVWA is obliged, by several agreements with the state and private landowners, to replace, gallon for gallon, all the water it removes from Hinckley with water from its own reserve reservoir further upstream on the Black Creek at Gray. If the MVWA had properly maintained and operated its Gray Reservoir, there would be no water crisis, because Greater Utica’s needs would have been met by releases from its own reservoir at Gray.

MVWA abdicated its responsibility when it agreed to supply water to Western Oneida County — to areas that have easier access to supplies from Rome and from the Onondaga County Water Authority. While not part of our immediate crisis, think of how many MORE people would be on restrictions, and think of how much worse it would be if MVWA goes through with its plans. When Greater Utica’s population was increasing 40 years ago, a water shortage was forecast without any water redistribution to the western part of the county. If Greater Utica ever resumes population growth (for example, from an additional 9,000 dwelling units forecast for New Hartford at ‘build out’ in its Comprehensive Plan Update) there will not be enough water.

We need long term planning from our water supplier, not short-term scrambling to solve a financial crunch — or to meet the desires of some developer.

MVWA has shown itself not up to the task it has been given.

Playing Chicken with the Water Supply . . .

This is not an unprecedented drought . . . if drought is even an appropriate word . . . but the water level in Hinckley Reservoir is at an all time low. Canal Corp. has now decided to switch from Hinckley and draw more on other reservoirs. Per the OD:

Near-miss at Hinckley: The move relieved drainage pressure on depleted Hinckley Reservoir, where outflow has been cut more than 60 percent. On Thursday, the reservoir dropped to within 3 feet of the point at which drinking water for Mohawk Valley Water Authority customers might have been disrupted, the state said.

Within 3 feet? After dropping 11 feet this past month? That’s too close for comfort!

Canal Corp. certainly has a bone to pick with the Mohawk Valley Water Authority’s failure to replenish the flow with water from its own (now demolished) reservoir . . . but playing with the safety of 130,000 people is a bit over-the-top don’t you think? Not to mention that water levels in the West Canada Creek are now reported as going below 160 CFS — the minimum needed for maintaining aquatic life. Ever do an environmental impact statement on that move, Canal Corp.? How about our environmental laws? How about the riparian rights of people living along West Canada Creek? Did the state condemn the entire flow of the West Canada (minus the reserve for the Water Authority) so it could dry the creek up? That is doubtful.

If the Canal Corp. is trying to prove a point in its dispute with MVWA, it is losing a lot of potential allies.

Water Fight!

It was an interesting scene last evening down in Herkimer at the public forum on the MVWA expansion, and it was covered by the Herkimer Telegram, the Observer-Dispatch, the Sentinel, and News-10-Now. The Sentinel’s coverage seems the most complete if you only have time to read one article.

We got to see (again) Mr. Becher’s little demo with what appeared to be a fish tank, a plastic bowl and a shot glass to make a point that the MVWA’s withdrawals are insignificant. Then we got to hear Mr. Goebels of Canal Corp. explain why MVWA’s withdrawals ARE significant after all — in essence, when the tank is not full, the shot glass is important.

“We have a serious drought right now,” the Canal Corp. official said, but later noted that levels are supposed to fluctuate.” (Sentinel)

While I have no reason to doubt Mr. Goebel’s calculations on MVWA’s impacts on water levels, I have to question his conclusion that we are now in a drought. This year certainly does not seem to have been unusually dry to the point that most people would call it a drought . . . and there was that snowy February. Maybe some statistics are in order.

“It was built for one purpose: to supply water for canal needs,” he said. (OD)

Well, that may be true, but it has also been adapted for power-generation, and recreation use has been encouraged.

Additionally, there is downstream power generation, predating Hinckley. And I guess that is what makes MVWA’s attitude so disturbing, which was made clear (but unreported in the media) when Mr. Becher alluded to power being sold on the spot market at fluctuating prices. The impression was made that there was something wrong with a profit being made, and that this should give way to MVWA’s use. But isn’t that why compensating reservoirs were required — for MVWA to put into the system what it takes out — to neutralize its impact — so others can use the stream too? And isn’t it MVWA’s destruction of its compensating reservoir (along with expansion plans) that brought this controversy on?

None of the other interested parties on this issue comes with unclean hands.

Of all the uses of Hinckley water, only MVWA actually takes the water away, out of the West Canada Creek drainage basin.

Community Forum Tonight re MVWA . . .

There will be a community forum sponsored by Assemblyman Marc Butler tonight, Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., in the Amphitheater at Herkimer County Community College to address the Mohawk Valley Water Authority’s expansion plans. Authority Executive Director Patrick Becher, representatives of environmental and sportsmen’s groups, local elected officials, and various others have been invited to come.

Hopefully this will be a truly public forum where the public is allowed to speak, and not a “dog and pony show” designed to push one point of view.

More information is available in the Herkimer Telegram.

Misleading on Lead?

A couple weeks ago we were presented a series of articles on the scourge of lead in our older neighborhoods — lead poisoning to be exact — a serious subject developed with a lot of useful information.

Today we read the headline “Water no longer major lead source in Utica.

According to Mohawk Valley Water Authority Executive Director Patrick Becher, water leaving the treatment center meets current federal standards.

“Lead levels are extremely low, not a threat” Becher said. “We don’t want to scare people.

No, we don’t want to scare people . . . but we don’t want to mislead them either.

People don’t get their water at the treatment plant — they get it at their taps — and the water has to pass through miles of pipes to get there.

“At issue for many Mohawk Valley homeowners are lead service lines that are still in place in older homes. Replacing the lines that connect a house’s plumbing to the water authority’s distribution network is a costly job.

“Lead service lines in some places also connect the main transmission lines to the curb station, which is under the water authority’s jurisdiction, Becher said.

“Unless there is a break in those services, the water authority will not replace them with copper lines, he said. . . “

The Water Authority has addressed the lead problem by adding chemicals to reduce the corrosiveness of the water, to reduce the water’s ability to leach lead out of pipes and service connections. Of course, this has had a noticeable adverse impact on water quality. Anyone living in Greater Utica for more than 30 years should remember the joy of bathing in soft water: that “squeeky clean” feeling, that shining hair. It didn’t take much soap to get clean, and it didn’t take much water to wash it away. Utica was reputed to have had some of the softest water in the country . . . but it came with the cost of lead leaching out of the pipes. It was probably worth giving up soft water’s benefits to reduce the risk of lead poisoning. It was a price that we’ve already paid. But has it solved the problem?

No doubt the risks of lead from water have been reduced by the Water Authority’s action. It’s basic chemistry. But it is premature to say that water is no longer the major lead source in Utica.

We don’t know the actual sources of lead in the people who have been poisoned. We need a study of those people to be able to conclude that. While lead paint in older homes has been painted as the culprit, can we conclude that kids munching on windowsills is more of a source than water that may have sat a few hours in lead service lines that was later used in baby formula? I don’t believe we have the data to conclude that.

It would be irresponsible if the intent of today’s headline was to take pressure off of the Water Authority for instituting a lead service line replacement program.

It would be a shame if today’s headline lulled people into thinking that they no longer had to be concerned with lead in their water – that they did not have to worry about replacing service lines — that they did not have to run the water for several minutes each day before ingesting it.

That Sinking (population) Feeling . . .

The Sentinel reports that the latest census estimates are in — and Oneida County continues to lose population. Utica lost 1,569 people since year 2000, or about 2.6% of its population, leaving 59,082 remaining. Rome lost 730, or about 2.1%, leaving 34,220 behind. The county as a whole lost 1,515 people, to stand at 233,954.

Actually we may not be so bad – or is this just a case of misery loving company?

The Post Standard reports that Syracuse dropped 5,777, or about 4% of its population, leaving 140,658.

Per the Buffalo News, Buffalo lost a whopping 16,500 people, or 5.7%, since 2000. It’s population is now only 276,059. (Remember when it had 586,000 people back in the 1960s? It is now less that half of what it was.) Niagara Falls, which used to run neck and neck with Utica in population, lost 5.9%, to stand at 52,326.

These are all huge losses, and they continue a trend that has lasted more than a generation. They reflect serious flaws in State policies over the last 30 years.

Yet in Oneida County — and in the other areas as well –the public infrastructure continues to expand into undeveloped land: a new school for BOCES, a new school wing in New Hartford, proposals to extend water lines further and further away from urban centers — and now leaders are even talking about developing the area around the Westmoreland Thruway interchange. Government also continues to expand, cloning itself. The water and the solid waste authorities come immediately to mind, requiring their own employees where some were formerly shared with their prior “owners” (the City and the County).

One has to ask WHY? Why do we need more “things,” and why do we need more government layers, when our population is dwindling. We also must ask HOW WILL WE PAY FOR THIS?

That’s How Conditions are in Camelot . . .

Two years ago the plight of the people of Camelot Village was the poster child for expanding the Mohawk Valley Water Authority to western Oneida County. Now, however, The Sentinel reports that Camelot Village will be receiving water from the City of Rome to replace that from its contaminated wells. Interestingly, the Sentinel article reports that this project will require a mere 1200 feet of water main – less than a quarter mile!

So, why should Camelot Village have been used to justify MVWA’s proposed 16 mile long water main? It was to manipulate public opinion — and the opinion of state legislators — and the opinion of state regulators — by the powers-that-be to get what they wanted through filtering of the facts.

Our officials should be sworn to tell the “whole truth” before they are believed.