Latest Asinine Explanation From Lew Weaver - And My Thoughts In Response.

The Flathead Beacon today released yet another explanation from Lew Weaver... again he tries to downplay the situation and claims he has been open and honest about his plans all along and that everyone is upset about misinformation. BULLSHIT. (ps. Asinine: adjective extremely stupid or foolish. "Lydia ignored his asinine remark" synonyms: stupid, foolish, brainless, mindless, senseless, idiotic, imbecilic, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd, nonsensical, fatuous, silly, inane, witless, empty-headed) 1. He hasn't been open and honest. My Aunt and Uncle live on the slough, they received no notice of his plans, they found out from me, and I live in California and found out from a friend who lives on the slough who read about it in the Beacon AFTER the initial DNRC objection period had passed. FISHY. Most of the neighbors didn't know, these are people the plant would directly effect. 2. Mr. Weaver claims his ties run deep, he's been in Montana since the 60's.... As a 3rd generation Montanan.. the Neils have been in Kalispell since 1911. I've heard and seen how the valley has been developed and changed and I'm not amused. Your plans are just one more step in its over development. Your neighbors and citizens of the Valley, and of the world are concerned and justifiably so about the aquifer, the wells, the traffic on the roads and the water waste and the plastic waste. 3. Aquifer is not an unlimited resource. (http://water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html). To Sum: This is water that has seeped beneath the surface from snow melt, rain fall, etc. It takes years to replenish. This country has been in a state of drought for over four years and it continues to get worse. Yet somehow Lew Weaver and the DNRC (have they been bribed?) claim pumping 231.5 MILLION gallons annually, 7,000 bottles an hour ( thats just one machine it wants 20!! thats 140,000 bottles... )will have no ill effect. I am not a scientist... but even I know that is now logical or equate to a viable sustainable environmental friendly plan. Having lived on that slough for two years and struggled with the well on dry years, I know that any additional strain on the water will effect the neighboring wells. 4. Discharge Water. Lew Weaver claims that the rinse water "is just water". WRONG! "One 2011 study4 also discovered that most plastic products leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals even if they're labeled "BPA-free." (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/22/can-water-go-bad.aspx). The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that Lew Weaver proposes to use well just look at this: http://envimpact.org/node/14/bottomline ... it's no good people. Huge waste of oil, water and greenhouse gas emissions. There are chemical elements that can and will be washed out in this water. As for Geothermal effects check out this article: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-geothermal-energy.html#.VvCp1ZMrK8o ... again... no good. Water quality is affected, air quality is affected also there is a risk of injecting wastewater back into the aquifer. TOO MANY RISKS! 5. Dust Abatement. Having spent several years on Montford I can tell you that the dust is awful. Just with the regular traffic and farm equipment. The "Dust Abatement" is a joke... days after they spray whatever crap it is they put on the roads (which can't be good for the environment either)... it has worn off and the dust is bad again. We are talking about a significant increase in traffic, from the proposed employees, to delivery trucks, to whatever else. The county would need to dust abate a couple times a week. 6. Lew claims it will be a boon to state and local economies... please... this huge undertaking will employ only 45 people...knowing the valley, probably at minimum wage or close to. This plant wont be a boon but a bane. The plastic waste and environmental effects will be devastating. There is very limited recycling in the Valley. A large amount of this plastic will go in the dumps. Montanans don't need their water bottled and sold to them.. they can get it out of their tap. 7. Dear Ric Hauer. We ARE concerned. Please read the comments on this petition. My dear petitioners, It is vital we keep spreading the word. We are making a difference by raising awareness. We can, and must stop this. We are not misinformed. Lew Weaver is. We care about our valley and the environment. Please remember that those in the Valley with water rights to Egan can officially petition the DNRC for $25 starting March 23 - April 7th... http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/water/water-rights/docs/forms/611.pdf. Also if you are in the valley, please go to FVCC on April 6th at 6:30 for the public meeting.