Downspout Disconnects, a Disconnect from Reality

I enjoyed reading the article by Liza Field in the April edition of The Roanoke Star. As always her article was insightful and eloquently written. I too enjoy the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, hiking and camping have been a part of my life since…well since I have been alive.

I would however like to present another view regarding the Clean Water Act and where we are as a nation. The Clean Water Act as we know it actually began back in 1948 as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. This piece of legislation was revamped and grew some real teeth in 1972 when it became the Clean Water Act. This was largely in response to the Cuyahoga river fire in 1969 that burned several bridges. The river had previously burned twelve times, but this time it gained national attention in a Time magazine article. The nation was aghast; rivers aren’t supposed to burn are they?

Fast forward 40 years and we now find most of our rivers are in pretty good shape. They could be better, but what is the balance point between economic concerns and environmental concerns? At what point does the Clean Water Act cease becoming the savior of our environment and start becoming bureaucratic lunacy? I think that time is now.

Many environmental rules have passed in legislation during the current administration and are now beginning to encroach on your rights and pocketbook. The upcoming tax on raindrops that hit your property is one such intrusive rule.

New regulations have prompted many localities across the nation to require Downspout Disconnects. They are requiring that you disconnect your downspouts from pipes that move water away from the house in lieu of splash blocks. This would in theory allow polluted water to percolate into your own property instead of washing into the storm water system. This flawed theory not only will not work, but can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. The contaminants won’t magically disappear either.

The number one cause of basement water intrusion issues and foundation failures is water that is not managed correctly around the building. The average cost for an interior water management system is in the thousands, the cost of repairing foundations can be measured in the tens of thousands. All of this money comes out of your pocket as the homeowner. No insurance covers the cost; don’t look to Uncle Sam to bail you out.

Twenty years ago when I built my house I installed underground storm water detention in the yard. I contain 100% of the roof runoff at my house. In some localities this would not be .allowed today because I would not be allowed to connect my roof drains to a pipe. Does this make sense to you?

Developers are getting hit with huge bills for erosion and sediment plans. Construction delays due to bureaucratic infighting over how to interpret this rule or that is costing homebuyers thousands in hidden costs on their new homes. The model energy code coming into effect this year will cost the new home buyer additional thousands of dollars. This does not mean that you are getting a better house. You do not get a vote in this.

Layers upon layers of bureaucratic red tape slow and stall businesses from doing business and cost the public untold gazillions of dollars annually.  The actual positive environmental impact that all of this has is minimal when compared to the property damage and monetary outlay that it costs.

There are no burning rivers these days; Loggers have strict oversight regarding how they leave the land. Homeowners Associations may fine you for having a brown, weed infested yard so you better fertilize it.

We are all consumers and polluters. If you live in a house, drive a car and eat food you are part of the problem.

Since the Cuyahoga river fire many politicians have used “environmental concerns” as a political subterfuge. The hypocrisy of the current administration is the Keystone Pipeline.

The pipeline with its shovel ready jobs has been blocked and blocked again while this president’s biggest supporter, Warren Buffet has made BILLIONS in profit by shipping the Bakken reserve crude oil on his Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. “They are currently moving an estimated 600,000 barrels of crude per day.” – (Forbes Magazine)

There were more environmental consequences in 2014 from train wrecks that spilled crude oil in rivers than in all of recent history. Pipelines are safer with less environmental impact.

There were “203 million people” living in the United States in 1969 when pollution was at its worst and drastic steps were needed. The “309 million people” residing in the United States in 2010 live in a much cleaner environment because of it. – (US Census Bureau)

Even with 52% more people living in the same space the world is a cleaner place. The EPA was needed back then; in fact it is needed now. Without it soon another river would burn and the air would be unfit to breath.

However, after 44 years the EPA is suffering from bureaucratic bloat and there seems to be folks in that agency who are making up reasons for their employment. While the core of the EPA is essential in keeping our environment clean, the bloat is costing countless billions of dollars annually. That money comes out of your pocket.

We have proven that we can clean up our environment. Your kids are growing up in a cleaner place than we did. It’s something to be proud of, but the cost has exceeded the value. Well-meaning activists have pushed the limits of environmental concerns beyond what this nation can afford. Each thinks his own cause is more important than the next guys while this nation swims in debt because of it.

What is the acceptable (clean environment / debt) ratio that you feel comfortable leaving to your kids and grandkids? What about your great grandkids?

– Keith Martin

Roanoke

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