There is also an article in the DM Register about this today, page 2 of the Metro Section. Eight years ago Clive threatened to close the Flying J because its retention pond was leaking petroleum-contaminated water into Walnut Creek. When the Flying J was built, we were assured this would be a "state of the art" holding pond and filter. "State of the art" doesn't work when there is human error or neglect. That was the case eight years ago--the equipment hadn't been monitored, cleaned or maintained. Walnut Creek meanders through Clive's Greenbelt Park and the popular walking and biking trail is close to the creek. As happened eight years ago, a trail user reported the odor and shiny film--but it wasn't noticed this time until it had already traveled to 103rd Street, which I would estimate to be about one mile from the Flying J. The parking lot for this truck stop includes about 32 acres of asphalt, all sloping toward this retention pond which is probably less than 300 feet from the creek. When this facility was proposed years ago, a staff person from then Governor Branstad's office attended the packed city council meeting to inform the crowd about the economic benefits that would result from the truck stop--such as jobs at the restaurant and gas station. I am sure there were a lot of pollutants in this flush down the creek, because the truck stop parking lot had been filled to capacity during the shut-down of the Interstate and the snow had been melting. It's also probable that the snow from the lot had been piled in the corner near the retention pond, along with a lot of trash. Sometimes the truckers dump spoiled loads in the lot. As the article below mentions, Walnut Creek is a tributary to the Raccoon River, which is a source for drinking water for Des Moines and surrounding areas. I was surprised to read that the Raccoon is only "occasionally" used as a source for drinking water. At least 700 people signed petitions opposing the building of this facility and protested at several meetings, to no avail. Another issue with the truck stop is the emissions from the trucks. During certain winter conditions, diesel fumes float down the creek valley (east) and on at least one occasion, the fumes entered homes. We live at least 1 1/2 miles from the truck stop and have smelled the fumes outside our home and in our basement during extremely cold weather. Jane Clark ----- Original Message ----- From: "Neila Seaman" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 7:18 AM > CONTAMINATED WATER FROM TRUCK STOP REACHES WALNUT CREEK > Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:18:52 -0600 > Mime-Version: 1.0 > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed > > > Iowa Department of Natural Resources > Environmental Services Division > > For Immediate Release > March 6, 2007 > > CONTAMINATED WATER FROM TRUCK STOP REACHES WALNUT CREEK > > MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Baskins at (515) 249-2814. > > CLIVE -- An open valve on a holding pond at the Flying J Truck Stop in > Clive sent water contaminated with petroleum to nearby Walnut Creek on > Monday. > > The holding pond is designed to catch runoff from the truck stop's > parking lots, which includes rain and snow runoff and the gas and oil > that can wash in with it. The pond's filtration system, designed to > keep petroleum pollutants from reaching Walnut Creek, failed around 6 > p.m. Monday. In addition, a discharge valve opened, releasing > contaminated water to the stream and creating a sheen and odor that > stretched as far as two miles downstream. > > "This is a reminder that every wastewater facility needs to be > vigilant in maintaining and operating their pollution control > facilities, like this pond," said Charles Furrey, an environmental > specialist with the DNR's Des Moines field office. "Good maintenance > can help keep these types of spills from happening." > > A citizen reported the odor Monday evening to the Clive Fire > Department. The fire department and City of Windsor Heights placed > absorbent booms in four locations along the creek to keep the > contamination from spreading. A contractor placed additional booms and > pads in the creek and began pumping contaminated water from the pond > around 11 p.m. Monday. > > Walnut Creek is a tributary to the Raccoon River, which the Des Moines > Water Works occasionally uses as a source for drinking water. Water > Works is currently drawing its water from the Des Moines River. > > The DNR will continue to investigate and may consider possible > enforcement action. > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp