The effects of the Poseidon plant operations are largely unknown, with several very critical comments from agencies such as the Coastal Commission. See recent Coastal Commission critical letter of May 8, 2003, at:

Coastal Commission Critical Letter of Poseidon EIR

See the whole EIR and other documents at:

HB Poseidon Project Documents

My major concerns, besides echoing those of the Coastal Commission for inadequate environmental analysis, is what effect the Poseidon operations will have on the problem of beach postings and closings in Huntington Beach at 3N to 9N.

If you look at figures 13 to 16 in the EIR, you will see that the plume of salinity from the AES pipes almost exactly correlates with the problems of bacteria on the beach.

The AES discharge pipe has been located anywhere between 900 feet and 1500 feet offshore in only 20 feet of water. It's discharge approaches that of OCSD at 240 mgd up to 500 mgd.

The picture of the salinity plume in Exhibits 13 to 16 of the EIR shows where the plume from the AES discharge pipe goes. It hugs the beach to the south of the AES plant, right where 3N to 9N are located. The salinity is a marker for the extent and location of the AES discharge plume.

Recall that Dr. Stanley Grant of UCI said that an offshore source is a likely suspect for the bacteria on the beach, and he mentioned the cooling system at AES as a possible culprit.

Now note that the Coastal Commission has a question of the effects on entrainment, where the marine life is getting caught up in the intake cooling system of AES and getting killed, then discharged out the outfall pipe. The marine life is getting killed because of heat, turbulence, and now salinity. The Coastal Commission is saying hundreds of acres of ocean are being impacted.

Now suppose that dying and decaying organic matter is being used as a substrate for bacterial growth. Ever smelled a dead fish? The odor from decaying organic matter is from bacteria breaking down the dead stuff.

Perhaps the bacteria on the beach is from the AES plant.

What will Poseidon do to this scenario if it contributes to more killing of marine life?

I have yet to see an analysis of the levels of bacteria discharged from the AES plant. I do know that the AES plant is administering chlorine to its discharge, and is allowed to have levels of chlorine residual in excess of normal. This needs further investigation.

The whole point of the Coastal Commission critical letter is its demand that Poseidon provide an analysis of levels of constituents of existing discharge of AES, not permitted levels.

This is a critical point.

The Planning Commission should not allow the EIR to pass to the City Council until existing conditions are analyzed and published. This includes the HB entrainment study, including the effects on marine life and bacteria on the beach.

The economy and environment of Huntington Beach depend on it.

Please show up at the Planning Commission tomorrow night and protest the EIR.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jan D. Vandersloot, MD

(949) 548-6326

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