I’m not an environmentalist activist or well versed in the issues – but this one seems kinda obvious. I’m surprised we had to spend so much time (and money) getting studies done.
Here’s a note from one of the more involved northside neighbors.
Dear northside neighbors:
Test results from Rhythm & Booms are in, and the links below will take you to them. The Committee on the Environment released these drafts this week, but won’t discuss recommendations until March 18.
The most important takeaways are in the one-paragraph Conclusions at the end of each report.
“The annual Rhythm and Booms fireworks display has measurable impact on the environment. The most discernable impact is the spike in perchlorate…” (Bemis)
“Most of the plant species showed elevated concentrations of elements associated with pyrotechnics 23 days following the Rhythm and Booms event…Maximum concentrations of Aluminum, Barium, Cobalt, Iron, Magnesium, Sulphur and some of the perchlorate values were considered either at critical levels or nearing toxicity levels for plants.” (Bennett)
I sum it up this way:
The fireworks of Rhythm & Booms leave significant and persistent chemical contamination, along with significant solid waste, in Warner Park’s wetland. While the impacts on the food chain, fish, birds and public health are unknown, no one can now argue that the fireworks are benign fun. The city of Madison, in partnership with the Madison Fireworks Fund, has significantly polluted Warner Park’s wetland for 20 years. It’s time to stop.
The contract for the 2013 fireworks is being negotiated now. If you have anything you’d like to say about it, contact your alder or the mayor.
Jim Carrier, cofounder, Wild Warner
http://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=2326034&GUID=F080F85E-2417-4FC7-B337-93C9F8A6C37Dhttp://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=2325453&GUID=907A8712-166A-49D1-8CFC-8855C693EEDE
Here’s some additional information from New Hampshire.
And contacts for the mayor and alders are:
psoglin@cityofmadison.com
allalders@cityofmadison.com
Make sure to include your address and maybe address your alder specifically.
The Chinese using fireworks manufacturing to export toxins is well documented and under regulated.
Interesting that Jim Carrier (activist who has only lived in Madison for
a few years) and Anita Weir (North Side Alder) helped take the plant
and soil samples, since both are activist against Rhythm & Booms. Not exactly an unbiased study!