BajaNomad

Loreto Coastkeeper

flyfishinPam - 5-14-2010 at 09:09 AM

Hi there,

A lot of folks here know me so I won't bother introducing myself. I'd like to announce that I am the new Loreto Coastkeeper for the Loreto area.

The Loreto Coastkeeper is a position that can be looked upon as an impossible job. The Waterkeeper Alliance has determined that the job of a Waterkeeper is one that deals with many aspects and angles. This is the case all over the world. A person has a better chance at putting together the “pieces in the puzzle”, or “connecting the dots” much better than a group of people or an organization has. For this reason a Waterkeeper is a person and not a group.

Since I just started the job and I don't want to re-write everything here, I want to let anyone interested know that I have started a blog so that I can keep the public up to speed on my work.

http://loretocoastkeeper.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/things-to-...

I am gearing up for a very busy summer which will start in mid June and go through august. I will also be attending the Annual Waterkeeper Alliance Conference in La Paz from June 9-12. Then I return home to a busy fishing shop and clients.

In the meantime I have been starting to do some water quality testing. I acquired half a lab with equipment in bad condition and out of calibration and with reagents expiring. Right now it is in the Eco Alianza office on two metal Corona tables but we will have a proper WQ testing lab in a few weeks.

Right now I can do a qualitative analysis for fecal coliform units (bacteria associated and indicating raw sewage). The test will only tell me if they are present but it will not tell me how bad a positive result is. Those tests will come with the new lab equipment in a few weeks. But what I'm doing right now is testing tap water from residents and businesses in town to determine if there is presence or not, which would indicate sewage entering their drinking water system. Yuk! Where I get positive results I will retest to quantify. I have to use up this media that's about to expire to get some data and also it will help me focus on where to do the qual testing.

We are starting to work with the city to help determine where the leaks are. Otherwise they'll have to break up all those new cement streets they just put in a couple of years ago. <insert Homer Simpson forehead slap here>

If any of you are interested have a look at my blog and I encourage ideas and participation.

http://loretocoastkeeper.wordpress.com
http://loretocoastkeeper.wordpress.com/about/

[Edited on 5-14-2010 by flyfishinPam]

gnukid - 5-14-2010 at 09:22 AM

Felicidades!

MitchMan - 5-14-2010 at 09:30 AM

Fantastic.

Would be very interested in your findings of contaminants in the Loreto tap water and the fecal coliform in the beach water when you get them. You are doing a great service.

shari - 5-14-2010 at 09:31 AM

Pam...I salute your commitment to your community and the environment. You are an amazing woman who gets the job done!!! I wish you success and hope you get alot of support there. Please keep us in the loop here.

flyfishinPam - 5-14-2010 at 09:41 AM

Now to make my job a little easier, any Loreto resident volonteers who would like their water tested? I'd prefer owners of property vs. rentors and will need access to the sampling faucet once a month. This study will last 1-2 years. The faucet needs to be metal so that I can sterilize it for the microbio tests. At this point in time I am focusing on the downtown area because the problems are severe.

Natalie Ann - 5-14-2010 at 10:27 AM

Congratulations on this post, Pam.
It is obvious that for you actions speak louder than words.
I wish you the utmost support of the government and of the people of your community.

nena

Russ - 5-14-2010 at 10:29 AM

OMG! As if the Fish Company, organizing the guides, many projects to protect the fisheries, rising a family and what ever else you're evolved in wasn't enough! I wish you great success in this very important endeavor!

Cypress - 5-14-2010 at 12:36 PM

flyfishinPam, The good people of Loreto have given you a lot of responsibility. That says something about them and you. With you at the helm , they have a good Capt. at the wheel. Congrats. :bounce:

flyfishinPam - 5-14-2010 at 01:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
OMG! As if the Fish Company, organizing the guides, many projects to protect the fisheries, rising a family and what ever else you're evolved in wasn't enough! I wish you great success in this very important endeavor!


Fishing is what brought me here and its all related to this- water. So I'm glad to use my old rusty skills I went to school for again and do what I love at the same time.

I am starting to get some results from my testing. I hope I get some Loreto resident volunteers that would like to help me participate with water quality testing. I will be posting results on the blog. I'll check here when I can.

backninedan - 5-14-2010 at 02:02 PM

Pam, give me a shout if I can be of help. I used to do water sampling many years ago, but it may be of some help.

flyfishinPam - 5-14-2010 at 02:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
Pam, give me a shout if I can be of help. I used to do water sampling many years ago, but it may be of some help.


¡ llamame !

Salsa - 5-15-2010 at 08:34 AM

When the sign on your door says "Testing the Water", does it mean salt water or "fresh ?" water ?????????

Don

wilderone - 5-15-2010 at 08:43 AM

Pam - I'm so glad for you and Loreto. You're an example of what can be done to help protect the fragile marine ecosystem - if Loreto can do it, then other towns can too. I wish you every success.
Maybe we Nomads can contribute $$ for water testing equipment. How 'bout it - a PayPal account?

flyfishinPam - 5-15-2010 at 09:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Salsa
When the sign on your door says "Testing the Water", does it mean salt water or "fresh ?" water ?????????

Don


we can test saltwater or freshwater, drinking water and environmental, wells, taps, etc.

Donations

flyfishinPam - 5-15-2010 at 09:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
Pam - I'm so glad for you and Loreto. You're an example of what can be done to help protect the fragile marine ecosystem - if Loreto can do it, then other towns can too. I wish you every success.
Maybe we Nomads can contribute $$ for water testing equipment. How 'bout it - a PayPal account?


US and Canadian residents can go to the following link to make a tax deductable donation via credit card:

http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org/

This page is Eco Alianza de Loreto, A.C. and the DONATE link is near the bottom right hand side. I encourage you to have a look at the website. We've made many changes so it is being continually updated.

Also once we have a complete lab I wil be able to do WQ testing on demand for a donation to Eco Alianza. Donations cn also be given in person at our office on the corner of Pino Suarez and Hidalgo (across from Norma's salon) in downtown Loreto.

DianaT - 5-15-2010 at 04:26 PM

Sounds like they have really selected the right person for the job!

Best of luck---I know you will do a great job.

Diana

Bajahowodd - 5-15-2010 at 04:33 PM

Here's hoping that you get as much support as you need and that the politics and the politicians do right by you.

Russ - 5-15-2010 at 04:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam...We are starting to work with the city to help determine where the leaks are. Otherwise they'll have to break up all those new cement streets they just put in a couple of years ago. <insert Homer Simpson forehead slap here>
Hmmm, can't they do something like core sampling below the concrete to narrow down the location before they tear up half the thing? :O

--Larry



Or sample the faucets along the main

flyfishinPam - 5-16-2010 at 03:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam...We are starting to work with the city to help determine where the leaks are. Otherwise they'll have to break up all those new cement streets they just put in a couple of years ago. <insert Homer Simpson forehead slap here>
Hmmm, can't they do something like core sampling below the concrete to narrow down the location before they tear up half the thing? :O

--Larry


Or sample the faucets along the main


that's what i'm doing and we're spreading out from the mains and the pump stations

Cypress - 5-16-2010 at 03:34 PM

To the side streets, the illegal hook-ups, the leaks, the back flows, and the....? Good luck Pam, you've got a hard row to hoe.:)

flyfishinPam - 5-16-2010 at 07:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
To the side streets, the illegal hook-ups, the leaks, the back flows, and the....? Good luck Pam, you've got a hard row to hoe.:)


exactly. I just posted more detail here:

http://loretocoastkeeper.wordpress.com/

now I'm working some more then getting ready to jump on the 3am bus to La Paz where I'll participate in direct meetings (moderated) between sport and commercial fishing interests. This over the dorado's future status (protected and reserved for recreational fishing or not) among other things. Will be back in Loreto tuesday am very early.

Russ - 5-16-2010 at 07:53 PM

Hope you return with some hope.

Salsa - 5-17-2010 at 09:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam
Quote:
Originally posted by Salsa
When the sign on your door says "Testing the Water", does it mean salt water or "fresh ?" water ?????????

Don


we can test saltwater or freshwater, drinking water and environmental, wells, taps, etc.


I guess I did not make my fishing Joke ?? very clear.

I meant, do you use that as a cover when you go fishing.

Don

You can use my tap !

djh - 5-17-2010 at 10:09 AM

Hi Pam,

Thanks for your good work and volunteerism.

You are welcomed to use my water faucet for testing purposes if you still need.... My faucet is brass. My water pipe from the main to the tap is pvc, like most in town.

You know my lot on Calle Pipila y Jordan ~ just around the corner from your old office on Jordan.

If you still need locations to test, please U2U or email me:
( davidjameshunt@hotmail.com ) and I'll tell you where you can pick up a key and make yourself a copy.

djh ~ David Hunt

oladulce - 5-18-2010 at 03:29 PM

Glad you posted about your new role Pam. Now this is important stuff.

Great job on your Coastkeeper blog. And your fishing blog "La Pamela Reina de Pesca" blog too, except reading about some of the local politics on that one requires me to have antiacids next to the computer.

You must sleep standing up or with one eye open to be involved in so many projects as well as maintaining your home life.

Buena suerte.

bajalera - 5-18-2010 at 07:13 PM

Way to go, Pam! You're truly a brave one.

Paula - 5-18-2010 at 08:39 PM

We'd love ot be tested, Pam. We live directly across the street from Profe Yuan-- come on b

White house, green rejas.

flyfishinPam - 5-19-2010 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Salsa
Quote:
Originally posted by flyfishinPam
Quote:
Originally posted by Salsa
When the sign on your door says "Testing the Water", does it mean salt water or "fresh ?" water ?????????

Don


we can test saltwater or freshwater, drinking water and environmental, wells, taps, etc.


I guess I did not make my fishing Joke ?? very clear.

I meant, do you use that as a cover when you go fishing.

Don


I Absolutely do, gotta observe the living environment around the test sites

flyfishinPam - 5-19-2010 at 12:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
We'd love ot be tested, Pam. We live directly across the street from Profe Yuan-- come on b

White house, green rejas.


Hmmm, I gotta give Yuan an invite to the Waterkeeper Alliance conference opening ceremony tomorrow maybe I should go to the casa? I hear he's pretty popular in the mornings before he goes to the oficina.

I'll e-mail you I'd love to get a sample of your water.

and Russ yes there IS hope we are now finding another way to negotiate. The commercial industry knows that allowing dorado to be commercially fished will not solve their problems. My favorite quote from a man who represents 17,500 commercial fishermen throughout the state of Sonora said that:

"opening up the dorado to the commercial fishing industry would be like prescribing aspirin to a terminal cancer patient, it is a temporary relief but it will not fix the problem"

Those are good words and I will post more detail near the end of the week.