Author Topic: Maier needs a lesson (Read 129 times)

Michael Caswell · « **on:** September 23, 2021, 02:46:13 pm »

Virginia Borden Maier
Brad Allen Thank you so much 🙂 Just a few small clarifications. I do teach biology at a local college, but I don't have my doctorate. And I think it is probably fairer to say that there is "not agreement" among the scientists/engineers at the Army Corps about the guidance, but that essentially all of the research they have performed does not support the approach of removing established vegetation from stable levee embankments, and in fact that this action can increase risk. And Congress has asked them to rewrite the guidance to minimize the environmental impact, but they have not done that yet due to lack of funding.

She knows full well the difference between a LEVEE and an EMBANKMENT DAM. Their (debunked testimony) expert Dr Donald Gray, explained the difference. It looks like, once again, she conveniently mis-informed Gray so he thought he was discussing Slopes on Levees. see https://eriecanalfacts.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/testimony-in-question-vegetation-on-dams/

And here we are again, using the same tricks. Disgraceful!

Doug K · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2021, 03:50:34 pm »

Mike, it's just another term, in a long string of descriptors, that this group uses interchangeably. They seem to change up what they call these earthen embankments, based on what they think will distract from the real truth, most effectively, at the given moment.

On a happy note, I have B-I-N-G-O now.

So far this week, only 4 days old, I've seen this Facebook group call these Canal Embankment Dams 5 different things:

Members of this FB group have used Riverbank (again), Levee (again), Canal Banks (again), a "garden" (new term), and the catch all, Earthen Embankment. I also might have seen hillside, slope and berm.

Now it's a new "mashup" of a few old names in this new one you mentioned, a Levee Embankment.

But the real name, used by most with a knowledge of what these structures do, and how they were made, is either an Earthen Dam or Embankment Dam.

I still prefer the descriptive term though, water impounding structure. Because it really does matters what's on the "other side" of the earth that the invasive vegetation is growing on. And if that happens to be WATER on the other side of those "trees" (the majority of time) then it is called a DAM, plain & simple.

And these members do know that trees are NOT allowed on Dams, only turf grass is approved to cover them, for protection of the DAM and the PUBLIC below.

What's next? Maybe a new thing, called a "leveeberm"

Michael Caswell · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2021, 03:54:56 pm »

Maier seems to think what is growing on the canal embankments is "Natural Vegetation' like it's supposed to be there - naturally, I guess.

They're WEEDS -- WEEDS!

As defined by NYDEC please study this ----
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjt8oXJsZjzAhWOQc0KHWlZDfMQFnoECBYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dec.ny.gov%2Fdocs%2Flands_forests_pdf%2Fisprohibitedplants2.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3lkNkyx96hOt5zwHHP7IyP

Most of them are actually illegal to grow in New York State. Natural Vegetation eh! Oh! Of course these steep slopes are now called "PARKS" All this new vocabulary, I'm having a job to keep up!

Doug K · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2021, 04:46:35 pm »

The group seems quite upset by what amounts to "approved maintenance" for Canal property. So now do they think they can critique regular mowing and brush cutting?

In each case shown on their Facebook Page, the "vegetation management" meets the SEQR requirements set by the State, the "invasive vegetation" removal will allow for a thorough, proper inspection afterwards, and NO "community threshold" was met. No need to engage the public for their valued opinions. That's what the EEIP Guide says.

And that is if these locations being cleared and shown on Facebook were actually earthen canal embankments. Because this clearing doesn't appear to be part of EEIP

There seems to be no evidence to support that these are canal embankments, since no images of the Maintenance Trimming have any water showing in them...

I think the reason for the uproar is simple, with a group called Stop The Canal Clear-cut...

They just realized they haven't stopped anything...

Doug K · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2021, 06:22:31 pm »

Seriously, you would think that someone who has been asking for "experts" to look at what's being removed from earthen dams, would understand if something is "invasive vegetation" BEFORE they start to praise it for growing where it causes safety issues on that dam.

Biology teacher Maier is under the impression that ANYTHING green is native vegetation and is OK for dam slopes. like Staghorn Sumac.

Of course the State & Federal requirements, for a vegetative free earthen dam, with only grass as a covering, doesn't seem to matter to this group, who won't accept these are "really dams".

At least that's not what the group is calling them this week.

Here's the Post about Embankments being cleared in Orleans County

Here's the comments by "doctor" Maier

And here's what's being removed...

And why it's considered INVASIVE

You would think this "expert", in all things Erie Canal, would understand that a Canal Maintenance Program to remove INVASIVE VEGETATION would actually do just that.

Maybe they should spend a little less time criticizing dam safety work, and start learning what's a weed, what's invasive, and why they can't seem to understand the written English language.

Michael Caswell · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2021, 11:38:39 am »

Eileen Pavia says, "It's (Sumac) also used for erosion control on embankments because it spreads by its roots so it form a strong 'wall'"

Unfortunately, Eileen has missed the point here. We are talking about EARTHEN EMBANKMENT DAMS, not embankments. There is a HUGE difference, because 'embankments' do not hold back large volumes of water above a lower area. They do not have the effect of HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE pressing against them, and will not cause a flood.
The rules for Earthen Embankment Dams are much more stringent, and trees are not allowed on dams.

see https://eriecanalfacts.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/is-it-a-dam-embankment-levee-ditch-or-dike/

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Author Topic: Maier needs a lesson (Read 129 times)

Michael Caswell

Maier needs a lesson

Doug K

Re: I think I have STCC Bingo

Michael Caswell

Maier needs a lesson

Doug K

Re: Maier needs a lesson

Doug K

Re: Maier needs a lesson

Michael Caswell

Re: Maier needs a lesson