Sludge Watch ==> Sault Ste Marie - spilled Canadian sewage shocks Americans

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

http://www.sooeveningnews.com/articles/2006/06/28/news/news66.txt

Spilled sewage shocks State Rep. McDowell

By SCOTT BRAND/The Evening News

Story created Jun 27, 2006 - 11:46:50 EDT.



SAULT STE. MARIE - “There is no question where it is coming from,” said 
State Rep. Gary McDowell of the raw sewage streaming into the St. Marys 
River from Canada. “It didn't take a whole lot to put two and two together.”

McDowell was part of a contingent traveling along the waterway at the 
request of Sugar Island residents Wayne Welch and D.J. Bumstead. Others on 
the trip included Chippewa County Chairman Earl Kay, along with Dave Martin 
and Jim German representing the Chippewa County Health Department.

“What we found was the most appalling, sickening thing I think I have ever 
seen in my life,” said McDowell. “I just couldn't believe how bad the 
situation was.”

McDowell said to see the beautiful St. Marys River awash in raw sewage 
“makes you sick to your stomach.” This, from a self-described old farm boy 
who has shoveled manure in bare feet without batting an eye.

“You could see it (the raw sewage) floating on top,” he said, adding the 
filth covered “acres” of waterway.


If this situation was occurring in any other Eastern Upper Peninsula 
waterway, McDowell speculated it would only be a matter of hours before 
state officials brought a quick resolution to the problem. With the Canadian 
sewage going into international waters, however, the solution is not as 
easy.

McDowell said the first thing he did after returning from his Monday 
afternoon boat ride was contact Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), 
seeking additional allies in the effort to get this mess cleaned up.

“We have to work with the federal government and the Canadian government,” 
he said. “It's not going to be an easy solution.”

McDowell also explained that even though the sewage was coming from Canada, 
he did not blame the people of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for the discharge.

“The Canadian people are good people,” said McDowell. “They have to stand up 
to their government.”