Note bene:. 2/9/88 Yesterday I spent rewriting my notes from the Mendocino offshore oil hearing. Tom Roth shortened my piece by at least by 1/3. Still, I think I will be pleased with the end result. He promises a double truck spread replete with photos. That's a big deal in the newspaper bizniz.
I lost steam half way through the hearings, so these are my warty raw notes. A lot of work here that didn’t get used in the final story. Placeholders. And the final draft of the story I wrote, is lost. I am bummed.
Offshore Oil protest, for Ocean Sanctuary.
The idea of offshore oil enrages me enough to want to do a story on it for the Paper. Many of us from Sonoma County are here testifying at the hearings. People form as far away as Oregon and LA are here to protest. So many moving testimonials, there such a connectedness with the Mendocino community I’d forgotten I had. And I think of how much time I’ve spent here. Bob and I spent so many weekends at Pat Wall’s house on Simpson Lane, or sleeping in the VW van along the coast, our a home away from home. Mendocino is home, a home where I will never live. And I know so many people here. I stayed overnight with Jim and Judy Tarbell who put me up for the weekend.
So far, 1400 people have signed up to testify at the hearings. And there are 1500 more people waiting outside with Holly Near and Bonnie Raitt entertaining them. The event is being televised to 600 more people crammed inside another building. I have never seen this many people in Fort Bragg all at once.
What a floorshow, a group is singing gospel. Wally Dale and Jeanne, intrepid beachcombers, said, We watched Southern California go down the drain, and I am determined it’s not gonna happen here.
Rachel Binah reads some quotes from former secretary Udall and Angela Lansbury: For heaven’s sake, save our coast!
It’s a packed hall, they get a standing encore. Rusty Norvell, a former Mendocino teacher, says “three years ago we were goldfish. Now we’re sharks and we smell blood.” He cited facts as to what oil pollution did to the fish population. “Hell, we’re being fed the same BS today. How does it feel? Oil is a four letter word.” He said the oil word.
People shot holes right left and center into the studies offered by the panel from the DEIS.A spokesperson for the salmon industry talked about the 14 million dollar industry and how this was going to negatively affect them. This is the first time ever that the loggers, the hippies and the fisherman have presented a united front against the aggressors. History was being made right here in this room.
A builder, Dan Tower, pointed out a minor detail, the San Andreas Fault running right through the middle of the proposed oil field. Never good for oil derricks, he said.
The Point Reyes Bird Observatory spokesperson said, only oil spills larger than 1000 barrels were predicted. In Texas alone, there were smaller 1000 barrel spills that killed nearly 11,000 birds. You don’t need a large oil spill in order to kill all the birds. Surge oil spills are actually more damaging than sheet spills. We have fierce wave action here, unlike in Galveston. There’s a cumulative input pointing out the myriad flaws in the DEIS proposal, their general lack of assessment as to what could go wrong. They said that 95% of the coastal bay wetlands from Big Sur to Humboldt will be lost. You fail to give adequate assessment to that.
The next speaker said, “I am a rare, endangered species, I am a Republican this is the first time in my life I’ve felt such a sense of shame for my party. I will vote as a Republican against #91 and I hope you will find the time to join me.” I think his name was Robert Raymond. I have photos.
To drive from Mendocino to SF it’s an area of coast that can offer man some sense of grandeur and wonder. The hypothetical proposal is the equivalent of harvesting the gray whales to extinction. Where do you go on vacation if we destroy this area? This is dedicated to Sala Burton whose spirit continues to protect the ocean.
The Ocean Sanctuary spokesperson said, “there have been 5000 spills for 30 day’s worth of oil supply for the nation. Those sub-lethal spills of 1000 barrels or more is a death sentence. The world has only one California coast. Continued vigilance is required. No lease sale, no oil development—this is the peoples alternative choice.
Ocean Fresh seafood products spokesperson said, The ocean is our greatest natural resource we cannot destroy it. A north coast alternative energy source is the ocean itself, with the waves produce 30,000 mw in energy per year.
Artists who draw inspiration from this unique coastal community, and earn their livelihood from it, got up to speak. Judith Kessler, AKA Redwing, said, we ain’t gonna let the drill them drill for oil under the sea. The crowd picks up the chant.
Dick Bell of cable access Channel 22, Bodega Bay, said the ocean is not linear. If its health is threatened , then sustainability drops too far, you can’t recover it. If I didn’t know better I’d say they were blind to the debt to oil because it is unconscionable what they are asking. Do we risk survival of the planet to pay off a campaign bill? Just say no to # 91.
(I must’ve done an Opening of the mouth column as well.)
Osha Dean said, I speak on behalf of the oceans and the earth, the corners of the mouth, businesses and that sublethal impact which you speak of. And he presented an oil spill scenario to the panel. We shall never surrender. We shall never surrender, he said.
Ann Harlow from the Ecology Center of Southern California said others have already spoken of the cumulative effect of oil derricks off the coast. We have only 20 to 40 days worth of oil down there, is it worth it? Simple conservation could save two times that amount. She mentioned the logging industry, air pollution, rampant Southern California cancer, the negative effects on the food chain. “We are poisoning the sea, the sea will inevitably poison us,” said Jacques Cousteau. We are are fighting for human life here.
Someone else, Robert Jangochian? sp., addressed the negative impact of increased air traffic, air lift helicopters, and airplane surveillance that the presence of the rigs will bring. He reminded the panel, remember the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969? It was an unmitigated disaster. Our coast is vastly different and there’s less chance of recovery here—the severity of the weather, the inaccessibility of the coastline, and the extreme tidal fluctuations are not the same as in Southern California. How can species, or the ocean possibly recover when there’s 100% mortality rate? Not to mention that the drilling mods are toxic. The local currents are treacherous and unpredictable. The entire DEIS plan is vague.
Jim ? said he was standing in for Novell, representing the small businessmen of Sonoma County. He said if we have squandered efforts for renewable resources, everything else will go, but the oil derricks will be there for hundreds of yearss.
Dorothy Tompkin from the local Audubon Society, said the snowy plover was not included in the DEIS survey and it’s an endangered species. Few shorebird species nest in Northern California they need sandy beaches, and at present, there are nine bars pairs north of Fort Bragg and only 125 pairs on the entire Mendocino Coast. This is certain extinction for them. Then there is the endangered peregrine falcon—less than half drop of crude oil on an eggshell results in 100% mortality rate. In addition, there is grave danger to the nesting birds of the Farallones and to the Point Reyes National Seashore. The brown pelican eggshells are also too thin. there are no less than ten species of endangered offshore birds including the tufted puff and they’re only 250 birds left in the state. The oil industry has already had a high impact on the mortality of 47 species of non-nesting shorebirds. And the DEIS excluded the marsh birds from the study—what about the herons and the egrets? We are looking at multiple extinction of the species across-the-board. Those daily helicopters round trips x8 from Santa Rosa will introduce a chronic hydrocarbon presence. Not to mention disrupting the entire breeding cycle of the shorebirds.
The testimonials went on from 9 AM to 2 AM— straight through the night—and picked up again the next day—from 8 AM to 3 PM. They were reminded that they had three minutes each and nothing more and they needed to submit their comments also in writing. And helicopters kept arriving throughout the night.
Greg Chatham instructor of marine biology, said that the DEIS study was poorly written, poorly organized and contra-indicatory. It didn’t even meet the basic EPA standard guidelines, citing that thr monthly maximum spillage of 48 ppm, was closer to 72 ppm—with that many barrels, the actual air pollution is grossly underestimated. all those helicopter trips don’t take into account, the pristine air quality, make the impact proportionally more severe, in several orders of magnitude greater than regional levels.
He said the DEIS study does not document the cumulative impact of small spills. The USCG maximum allowed pollution contradicts the DEIS study. In Santa Barbara, there are 4 to 5 small spills every day. This will have an extreme environmental impact. There seems to be little concern over the excessive hundred parts per billion—and the inevitable destruction of the local fisheries. The plans to build major pipelines from Fort Bragg to Willits through the Jackson State Forest clear-cutting hundreds of acres of trees will be lost. Your documents are inconsistent with the facts.
Dr. Gregory Menken addressed what would happen if there was very large oil spill, he said that 47% of all oil spills are of the smaller ones—equally destructive by their frequency. He cites a pollution report on the Prudhoe Bay findings, and how the pollution was everywhere—in the air, in the water, and also what about the low conduct of the oil business—how it seriously disregards environmental laws with 100s of ongoing violations. He said that the existing environmental laws are not strong enough, and further oil exploitation should not be considered until the oil companies comply with local, state, and federal laws—and adhere to the EPA guidelines.
Baseline data is needed. The US Department of the Interior guidelines are more lenient than the EPA guidelines. the US Department of Interior allows 3 million oil regulations 100 tons of pollutants per rig, per year. Emissions from offshore rigs has created extremely poor air quality in Alaska.
Raven Early Grow, a travel agent and writer from Point Arena, took on the shoddy track record of the Western Oil and Gas Association.
The glam looks of the panel some 12 hours into the hearing, was poignant, but the energy of the crowd was undaunted. They said, we want to speak all night long. Peggy Rawlins brings up the Boston Tea Party as a reference point, and she says, go tell Ronnie and the guys we will do whatever is necessary to stop this travesty. I’m going to pick up my spear to protect the underwater marine sanctuary at the Cordell Banks, off Point Reyes.
Dr. Robert Schumaker and Dr. Atomio engineer of Mineral Management spoke.
Alice Walker gives a personal testimony about the uniqueness of the area to artists.She says, we only get three minutes to speak. I’d like to see you try and stop us with a three minute speech, she said.
Lynne Ables a Mendocino performing arts company, a New York refugee talked about thr mixed demographics of Mendocino County, referring to the Southern California refugees. How important the artist tourist industry is for the survival of so many businesses. So many standing ovations for those speaking up against this atrocity.
Lynne Ables pointed out that the Native American impact was not included on the report, or on the salmon fishing industry. What about the Indians? They were right. There is a groundswell rooting squad of hooting and hissing and foot stopping with lots of drums. Like it or not.
Peggy Rawlins from Lytton Springs Inn said, Pollution knows no political boundaries and if you think the sale of lease # 91 doesn’t include the Sonoma Coast, you’ve got another thing Comin. Someone hold up a sign MM Board, are you bored yet? Good! WOMB, the women of Mendocino Bay incant a Macbeth scene with double trouble oil and bubble. A Presbyterian choir sang in original piece by Sonoma resident.
Maggie O’Rourke, attorney gave a pro oil testimony, she is non-local and within the business of oil, only two por-oil testimonies, but not everyone is on board, the MMB panel is busy actually taking notes.
There are a lot of Mendocino high school students testifying from the next generation, kids bang their skateboards in appreciation.
Fables, oil it’s a dirty business. They hand out shells to the MMS panel, and shout No oil! No oil! We can’t hear you! No oil.
A couple holding hands, approach the mic, and say, We were married yesterday (congratulations from the crowd) and the first part of my honeymoon I am spending it here with you to defend our home. We were on our way to Yosemite and turned around and came back. We are the newly married and we are against oil.
Someone offers the panel flat balloons that say why not save the sea? Point Arena, with one of the most treacherous coast lines, is ground zero. Alan Niven, publisher in Point Arena talks about the San Andreas Fault and he brings in photos of the massive storm waves that destroyed the pier of Point Arena in 1981. xxx
A Native American woman of Apache descent, Ochena Haskell said you’re not dealing with just another dumb Indian here. I am Mescalero Apache and Ute from Colorado. I am Lakota Sioux and Six Nations. The Department of the Interior used to be the Department of War. The Native American religious freedom act allows me to worship this sacred place. She closes with, Stick this up your kind of pipe and smoke, it she said. There’s more drums and chanting and flowers are given out to the people.
The owners and operators of local businesses speak amid much laughter. I don’t need to be politically or spiritually correct, I am angry. Kim Bluewater, sings, People gonna rise up. People abdicate their time slots to give her more time. She talked about acid rain and the ozone.
Barry Vogel asks we want to hear from you, the panel. Commander at Allan US Coast Guard Long Beach talk to us about pollution. A riot nearly broke out.
He pressed his point, Dick Wildermen of the MMS, we want to know your qualifications. How many offshore options impacts have you analyzed, is it more than one, 10, 100? Or 2 to 3 per year Willdermen nearly lost and requests a five-minute break, and cuts the mic.
Sue Miller Whitaker from Eugene? calls them flakcatchers, “Let the man speak. I’m beginning to worry about the trees we’re going to lose, just to type up this nonsense.”
Careful stewardship and perseverance is needed said the Physicians for Social Responsibility. Mendocino promotes both physical and mental health and there’s a gross understatement that the report is filled with inaccuracies—it’s well documented.
Luis Korn said alternative power sources need to be explored. He talks about Nicaragua, and the military being on trial.
A fisherman points out that There is no study on the shellfish.
The marine study from fixed wing aircraft, concluding that there will be no impact, is not deductive reasoning. If I were to give it a grade I’d give it a D. And I am not being unbiased. The DEIS report is a political, not a scientific statement.
Mary Norbert Körte talks about the difference between effect and affect, citing the DEIS misuse of the words. She brings down the house. She asks, is this any way to run a government? to a cheering crowd. The poets have arrived.
The Alchemy Contra singers belt out, Glory glory Mendocino, to a standing ovation David Berent, a proxy clerk, said, maybe we should sell rags to the tourists so they can use them to wipe the oil off their shoes. Take some free advice from a doctor. This is psychically numbing.
Bob Klapsale painted a dire picture of oil rigs infesting the coast. He said that the Pomo Indians too are testifying in letters, they are testifying.We have been here 10,000 years.
Kashia Pomo leader Lauren Smith said, I’ve had a few dreams and the ocean has been good to us. The drilling would ruin us. From the ocean we get good energy, free food, we get our ceremonies, we get our worship. There’s nothing for the younger generation. Some of the dreams are saying a lot of demonstrations. A dream I had, there was no more gas, no more oil. Spiritual energy from the ocean will be thrown off by the ocean. The destruction of the ocean is not good energy, and more and more people won’t sit around, they’ll get involved. We have to protect what we have. Make good energy out of it. It is better than anger. You become like them. We will do prayers for you she said, pass that along.Our people, we will do ceremonies in Kashia, dancing for good energy. I feel we could keep them out, the ocean works in mysterious ways. Tell everyone that you see that our people will always be working towards better things. Let’s work together and stay as one. We will do the ceremonies in Kashia so that you won’t feel alone. And we will be thinking about all of you.
Over our heads someone depicts a picture of bones. Whenever Damocles sat in judgment, the sharp two-edged sword hung over his head by a thread.
Listen, if you can’t keep a promise why do you keep making them? We can’t go forward until all the testimonies have been received, we cannot go forward.
I spent the night at Jim and Judy Tarbell’s in Casper, exhausted. I remember nothing of it. Next day, the hearings opened with a play, a Pomo Indian prayer, and rap. Someone asks, did you see the sunset, the full moon on the bluff. Pure magic. A good omen.
Steven Antler, an attorney from Fort Bragg, said this is the most corrupt government in US history. Yesterday‘s wedding balloons are slightly wilted. Sequoia Greenfield talks about the ducks.
Gabriel Cheney says no oil. Bevin, from Ukiah, a former coordinator from Save Warm Springs (I worked with him and many of the Pomo elders, relocating the special reeds they needed to make their baskets before the Warm Springs dam went in) spoke of Native traditions.
Alex Watt collected 1700 signatures. Ron Smoley from Fort Bragg spoke. Rachel Binah, an organizer, got a standing ovation with Judy Walters. Someone vowed to skateboard all the way to Washington, DC, if needs be.
Someone proclaimed the land the Republic of Mendocino, said, I will buy up all the land at $25 an acre, and give it back to the Indians. The panel was gifted with seaweed and shells. Elinor Llewellyn it doesn’t say what it is some thing developers aqua fine talk about chemicals and trying to get rid of the stuff Marvin Gilbert, the Cowardly Lion of Oz, said the the tinman needs oil to grease his joints.
Other speakers included Dr. Don Hahn, Lindy Peters KMFBFM, Antonia Lamb, Ann and Ashley Holden, Russell Lowe, Senator Allan Cranston, Richard Charter all spoke, But I was long past comprehending what anyone was saying, other than it was an overwhelming landslide that no one, literally no one out of the 3000 or so of us were for the offshore oil platform. At the end, the weary panelist stood up, and were gifted with T-shirts that were emblazoned with I survived the Mendocino oil hearings and they went on their way. We had averted disaster.
