Re: [PLOTS] Maine clamflat rich with industrial contaminants: Waste Plume analysis of aerial photos..

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Liz Barry

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Oct 30, 2014, 12:07:06 PM10/30/14
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Hi Andrew and Ron, 
If i understood you correctly, can we connect the dots between the Code 4 Mainers that are based in Bangor, as that is somewhat closer to Penobscot Bay?


On Thu, Oct 30, 2014 at 11:53 AM, Andrew Jawitz <andrew...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Ron,
   While there is still much too discuss regarding ways we can collaborate in the future, I thought I would reply in this thread with some suggestions.
 RE:Low-cost UAV for aerial monitoring.  My project research page has been generating so much interest lately, I feel compelled to emphasize the project is still far from being deployable.  That said, the goal of the project was to simplify the underlying code powering the flight controllers so that literally anyone could build their own with a generic Arduino board, a $4 accelerometer/gyro, some a motor, esc,battery, two servos and some pieces of foam poster board.  I demoed the build for the Friends of Casco Bay and they suggested the possibility of organizing a workshop for their members.  Perhaps we could arrange something similar up there?
  The only other thing to be aware of is the shifting regulatory scenario regarding UAVs for which we've been examining on this research note- http://publiclab.org/notes/code4maine/08-11-2014/map-showing-where-you-can-and-can-t-fly-drones.
    Something that might be useful would be to consider what data you are trying to collect and which sensors might be most appropriate for the task. Clearly, aerial imagery is a useful tool in of itself, but there are also very early discussions regarding how best to add a 3D mapping capability- http://publiclab.org/notes/code4maine/09-28-2014/options-for-low-cost-lidar.  I'm also wondering if it might be worth looking into something closer to the water surface.  On the very low end of the spektrum we could deploy something similar to my "photo fishing" technique- http://publiclab.org/notes/code4maine/07-25-2014/grassroots-underwater-photography or a higher-end, sensor buoy housing Arduino sensors.  
     
     On the higher end of the spectrum, we could deploy a version of Cesar Herada's, Protei Sailing Drone, which was designed to follow plumes of oil on the oceans surface.  If the plumes are underwater, then perhaps its time to start thinking about OpenROV.  This is something I've always wanted to do but is beyond the scope of what an individual could put together in spare time.  If we coordinated with other orgs around the state however, it might be worthwhile to build one that could be shared with various groups.

   RE: Civil Air Patrol-
   I would love to connect with CAP in any capacity!  At various times with Code for Maine, I've been in tentative discussions with groups like the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Maine National Guard about citizen science and crisis mapping.  Nothing has moved beyond the brainstorming stage but the interest in these groups is certainly there!  I wonder how CAP members feel about DIY UAVs?  If they are interested, I can't think of any better resource!  It reminds me of how the HAM Radio Club in Camden was used to test the Mesh Network for Emergency Services.


On Friday, 3 October 2014 11:58:32 UTC-7, Ron Huber wrote:
That sounds splendid. I've not heard of civil air patrol. If you can set that up, great! I see that the mapmill challenge is being sure that the photos are vertical and not oblique.
Ron

On Fri, Oct 3, 2014 at 11:37 AM, sara wylie <saraan...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Ron,

On another Public Lab project (to develop a version of mapmill.org for crowd sorting of images) we're working with Civil Air Patrol and in the midst of setting up flight with them. I've no idea yet if we can set the route of flight, but I've sent an email to ask, just in case. I'll get back to you as I learn more?

Cheers,

Sara

On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 12:37 PM, Ron Huber <coast...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Sara It would be very  helpful. We need lights where the aircraft door is taken off so that there's no glass between the camera and the bay .  Do you arrange flights?  We have been working with the Project Lighthawk folks; do you know of them? Or were you perhaps talking about a kite or  other non-plane vehicle?  

On a related note, we've got dozens of small floats we will paint bright orange and release to course their ways through the pocket cove that is most contaminated then out into the greater harbor. Not rubber ducks, but similar. These could help with determining  the surface currents - depending on prevailing winds,  
Anyone  here floated rubber ducks or other floats in  their waters?  Should we # them?
Ron


On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 9:19 AM, sara wylie <saraan...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ron,

I might be able to help organize an overflight of the area to take some more up to date pictures, could that help? Please email me if it could help so we can see if we can figure something out?

Cheers,

Sara

On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 9:13 AM, Ron Huber <coast...@gmail.com> wrote:
Friends  
Several good things are happening vis a vis the abandoned sulfuric acid plant and eroding shoreline wastes of GAC Chemical in Searsport Maine. With a little help tracking plumes in aerials of the site and harbor, those things will be REALLY good:  

(1) Maine DEP and GAC Chemical have agreed to pull together a remediation plan for the acid factory and tank under the state's Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP)
(2) An EPA conference call  with us about the waste problem  is coming up on Friday Oct 3rd 10am; and
(3) The Maine Ocean Acidification Commission  has requested a briefing by Maine DEP of that VRAP plan nezxt week.

But to make these good things really good, we need help with  photo analysis of the waste plumes departing the site. Plumes will require additional agency participation in the remediation planning

Links to large photos of site,  plumes and open water:
Note these are still uploading as of 9:07am EST  to that link, so you may want to check back later

The Problem. In our aerial footage of this year and last year, the red and white plumes emanating from the bluff below the acid plant are very visible near the shore and in the intertidal;  but  our untutored eyes can only barely make them out  once they pass the low tide line. 
We are quite sure the plumes extend well into the cove  and into the greater Stockton Harbor. If we can show the distance these plumes actually travel from their actual shoreline leak/erosion origins before dissolving, the federal and state agencies may have to take a much closer look at the wastes than they would without this plume evidence.

Are there  ways to isolate certain colors or temperatures in the water in the image so as to make the plumes'  trajectories more visible?
Our aerial photos are of uneven quality but many are quite high quality or at least  of high DPI

This offsite pollution is a key action trigger for both federal and state environmental agencies.  It requires both federal and state agencies to put  their draft cleanup plans  before the public fo review r comment and public hearing, before approving or rejecting the company's cleanup plan.  

Otherwise, the company and the state agency will decide what mitigation is needed on their own, Given the close ties between GAC Chemical's CEO and Maine's Governor, and the anti-environmental policies of Maine DEP commissioner Patricia Aho, there would be little likelihood of a $tringent cleanup.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely

Ron Huber
Friends of Penobscot Bay

PS: 
Additional aerial and landbased photos of the site & related information
 
 

All photos   Follow by number prefixes.  Some of these  photos are very large, please zoom them or  download to examine. All photos have large sized original photos.


Comparison aerials of GAC Kidder Point  shoreline photo from 1940 compared to 2011 Google earth image.

SHORE PHOTOS OF SITE

2013

2012

Shore waste deposition records, sent by GAC to MDEP in 1998

* Emails from David Colter of GAC affirming  his interest in remediating the site but then abandoning it following a cost study (Our emails that he is responding to are also available). 

*July 22 FOAA'd material from DEP's Susanne Miller,  Maine DEP's Eastern Maine regional Director 
* Recent phone log of Suzanne Miller re GAC  Sent  by request after not found in 7/22/14 FOAA response (heavily redacted) 

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Ron Huber
Friends of Penobscot Bay
POB 1871
Rockland Maine 04841

e: coast...@gmail.com
tel: 207-691-7485

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Ron Huber
Friends of Penobscot Bay
POB 1871
Rockland Maine 04841

e: coast...@gmail.com
tel: 207-691-7485

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Ron Huber

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Oct 30, 2014, 12:44:48 PM10/30/14
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That sounds like a plan.  Andrew can we meet in person?  GAC Chemical  and the public accessway there is about the same distance from each of us. We can then remove to a cafe or home in nearby downtown Searsport if the weather is poor.

Otherwise I am certainly  willing to head  up your way.  But I think to visit the site will make it all very real to you. And if you are willing to take part in an overflight too, to get  the big picture, then  with one coming up in November you'l come to see what  sensing is needed what testing and sample gathering . What currents to watch, etc. etc.

Either way, Code4Maine is badly needed in Penobscot Bay!
Ron
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