Tube City Almanac

June 09, 2009

Lake Emilie Gets Clean Bill from DEP

Category: News || By

No contamination has been found in Renziehausen Park's Lake Emilie, according to preliminary tests done by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The tests were ordered after several dead fish were found --- reports vary widely on the number --- following a fishing derby at the manmade lake along Eden Park Boulevard.

Spokeswoman Katy Gresh of the DEP's SouthWest Regional Office said the agency confirmed five "large catfish" were found dead in the lake.

. . .

While other fish may have died, reports that "dozens" of fish were dead are "not correct" in the agency's opinion, Gresh said.

"As far as other aquatic life, we found lots of live minnows, and snails that seemed to be alive --- although it's hard to tell sometimes with snails," she said.

According to the report completed Saturday and released today to Tube City Almanac, water samples from Lake Emilie had no signs of so-called "volatile organic compounds," which could include gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers or other petroleum-based chemicals.

Additional tests will not be available for at least a week, Gresh said.

. . .

Public Works Director Nick Shermenti said last week that city workers had found eight dead fish, including five that had gone over the spillway at the end of the lake.

Preliminary tests last Monday and Tuesday had indicated that the lake's pH balance (a measure of the water's acidity) and temperature were fine, and while a "slight trace" of chlorine was present, it was too low to harm fish, Shermenti said.

Chlorine is added to treated water --- including drinking water and swimming pools --- to destroy bacteria.

. . .

The catfish found dead were put into the lake a week earlier ahead of a fishing contest, Shermenti said. He speculated that rough handling during the contest, combined with recent heavy rains, might have stressed the fish.

"Or, they could have been injured by the transfer (into the lake), or we could have gotten a load of bad fish," Shermenti said.

Lake Emilie was created as a retention pond for storm runoff from the Hall Park neighborhood of the city. Three years ago, more than 600 fish were relocated to the Youghiogheny River before the lake was dredged and cleared of debris.

The spillway at the end of the lake was rebuilt at the same time. Besides the catfish added to the lake in May, the lake was stocked with trout in April, city officials said.






Your Comments are Welcome!

Jason,

I spoke with John Murphy of DEP late last week, who stated, their lab was busy and most tests conducted would not be complete for 30 to 45 days. John was there to conduct the tests personally and I can provide you with his phone number.

I PERSONALLY counted 62 dead catfish over a one week period in the lake.

I have video and picture evidence of 15 that were there the day the storm hit, before it hit.

Your article is WAY premature and I am amazed that someone with your skills did not investigate further. I will email you pictures and videos of one day at the lake and you will see far more fish than the city, or its spokesperson, Mr. Shermenti, are willing to admit.

Whether we like it or not, there are folks that EAT fish taken out of the lake and kids that handle these fish on a daily basis. For their sake, and the city’s (who is liable as we own it), I hope you are right.

I believe that the Mayor and the Public Works Director are being very cavalier with public safety and am surprised that you have fallen for the company line.

I WILL NOT let my children fish at the lake until we KNOW if there is or isn’t some toxic material or bacteria present.

I may be seen as crazy for my stance here, but public safety, especially the saftey of our children, is the primary value I carry as an elected official.

Please call me if you have any further questions concerning this potential community health risk.

I know that you are not a TOPIX.com fan but there has been much written (some good, some bad, some silly, some mean..) about the Lake Emilie incident. One is a poll that shows the public respects and supports my position. That it is better to err on the side of caution….

See for yourself:

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/mckeesport-pa/T0U0QNT78M9435GV4

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/mckeesport-pa/TF6FSR38MNHFGQ1GN#lastPost

Paul
412.401.4994

p.s. Please feel free to publish this cell as I pay for unlimited minutes so that i can afford to provide the public with 24-7 service.
Paul "Sluggo" Shelly Jr. (URL) - June 10, 2009



Jason,

One more link to info on lake Emilie Fish deaths:

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/mckeesport-pa/T9M8116D597S7LE94

Best Regards,

Paul
Paul "Sluggo" Shelly Jr. (URL) - June 10, 2009



Mr. Shelly:

Your opinion of my reporting skills is so noted.

I have not “fallen” for anyone’s line. The entire lab report — written by Mr. Murphy, who you cite — is there for you to download.

According to that report, DEP found zero contamination by VOCs in the lake.

An additional lab report will be available in about a week, according to the DEP.

Those are the facts so far.

When the additional report is released, I will provide it.

Also, I do not regard anonymous posts on “Topix.com” as a credible source of information. I am reporting facts, not innuendo.

Jason Togyer
Executive Director
Tube City Community Media Inc.
Webmaster - June 10, 2009



To begin things…

Jason: I’m a longtime lurker, and a sometimes commenter. I like the site. I appreciate the information, especially when it’s historical info. Please continue to run the site as you have been doing these past few years.

Paul: A few years ago, your comments were almost always on point, concise, and well-thought out. You usually added just a little more info, or a counter point to Jason’s posts. I enjoyed reading all the content on the site. I figured I could even bring myself to look past the recliner in your front yard, especially because you had the initiative to hand-paint your Obama and other campaign signs.

However, in the months leading up to the local elections, your tone has changed. It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to stomach reading the site, because I know that it’s a matter of hours before your comments appear, once again advertising your website, your political aspirations, or what injustice this “secret machine” has perpetrated against you.

I mean this in the nicest, most serious way — your behavior as of late could be interpreted as an indicator of some serious mental breakdown. Where once there was constructive criticism, there is now paranoia, unnecessarily inflammatory speech, and personal grandstanding to further whatever your political aims happen to be this week.

Do yourself and everyone else a favor and try something for us — don’t comment or post for 2 weeks. Take a mental vacation for a bit, spend time with your family, get your personal life in order, whatever it takes to remove the reputation of “local lunatic” you are most assuredly building for yourself. Step away from the Topix forums — that site holds nothing of value and there is precisely zero reason any normal person should even consider visiting it.

And please, consider seeking professional help for what is clearly becoming an online addiction.
John - June 11, 2009



Amen John, Amen.
Dan - June 11, 2009



jason,

I appreciate your position. have you received the pictures I emailed you taken on 5/28 and yesterday? Clearly, more that eight fish. I have video too that I am attempting to mail and running into size constraints.

John,

I appreciate your concern and I thank you for formerly enjoying my past readings.

I assure you that I have had no such mental breakdown, nor am I headed in that direction. I did have a bout of depression brought on by stress after my illness passed.

What you see as craziness or erratic behavior or whatever is just passion for my role in the betterment of the city. I won’t go into any political schpiel here as Jason’s board is not the place for that. I will give you this. I do some times make use of drama to get the public’s attention. Sometimes you have to scream “FIRE!” so people can smell the smoke I guess.

I would much rather discuss positive issues and answer legitimate reader questions. Please feel free to ask me anything via email (sluggo@paulshelly.com) , the “comment” section that follows each of my blog posts, here or on topix.

Topix is a double edged sword. Most of the craziness you read there comes from my attackers. Did I get caught up defending myself at times or angry.

Yes.

My bad.

I will do my best to stick to my positive plans for moving forward.

However, If I don’t bring the problems to the forefront, and this fish thing in my mind is a major public health risk (and may be tied to sewage problem on Gordon St!) and needs to be told.

I’m sure the Mayor has good reason to try to downplay this situation. Can’t speak for him. I likewise feel that I have a responsibility to look out for the 24 Thousand or so people that I represent.

Again, your constructive criticism is noted and appreciated. I’ll try to do batter.

Please try to refrain from bringing my family into these discussions. My ex and my children are fine and I see them every day. As a matter of fact, I have to get my son to basketball practice soon where I am volunteering my time.

Between us kids, I would MUCH rather just to coach basketbal, run my business (which is going well and growing each day! It should with the 16 to 20 hours I devote there.), fishing, and hanging out with my kids.

My only reason to run for Mayor, which I am the first announced candidate for in 2011, is because I feel COMPELLED to SERVE. I am sick of the shape our town is and I am not one to sit back and see it happen when in my heart, I know that I am capable of effecting positive change. I feel a sense of Duty. I do care and want to give back to this city I love.

i will not leave it to politicians that would rather take than give. I will fight that at all levels and may die trying.

At least i will have planted my feet and taken a stand and made my Father, the real “Sluggo” proud of me.

Isn’t that what all of us real men strive to do?

Peace.

Paul

That’s the best i can explain it.
Paul "Sluggo" Shelly Jr. (URL) - June 11, 2009



Let’s get something straight here:

Lake Emilie is not a lake with a natural ecosystem to keep itself clean, and a constant supply of fresh water provided by natural runoff or other streams. It’s a container to hold municipal runoff, which could possibly contain sewage, road tar, pesticides, and other nastiness. Essentially, a large dirty puddle — which, depending on migratory season, could also be constructed entirely of goose feces. If you would eat something you found in a large dirty puddle (made of goose feces), that’s fine, but please do so with the understanding that your meal CAME FROM A LARGE DIRTY PUDDLE (made of goose feces). Yes, I realize that the report came back from the DEP, giving the “lake” a clean bill of health, but why would you take the chance – and why do we demand that the City waste valuable money making sure – that the aforementioned dirty puddle is safe to eat from?

We are bordered by 2 rivers, with both trail and boat access. I would rather The City spend money on improving access to and amenities near the rivers than worry about protecting people from a ditch with debatable historical/traditional significance. In a recent (unofficial, because I was drinking a beer) poll, a random sampling of McKeesport residents (a couple of neighbors on the other side of the fence) indicated that they would “never in a million years” eat something that came from Lake Emilie. Seriously, it’s a dirty puddle, people. Catch and release is the only way to go here. And wash up afterwards.
John - June 11, 2009



Yes, a dirty disgusting puddle. Amen.
JJ - June 16, 2009



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