Slashdot Mirror

Yes, the military high explosives do leave residues at a very low level. Tests of this (where they explode munitions in piles of snow) show that "on average, 99.997% or more of the RDX and TNT was consumed" (used Sci-Hub to read). So a few grams of a mildly toxic material that breaks down fairly quickly in low concentrations. UXOs would simply be disarmed and removed since these are precision bombing operations though know exactly where they are.

The fire retardant that is used in fire bombing is Phos-Chek. Which consists of "include ammonium polyphosphate, diammonium phosphate, diammonium sulfate, monoammonium phosphate, attapulgus clay, guar gum (or a derivative of guar gum), and trade secret performance additives". The Phos-Chek is dyed red in part with iron oxide. the ammonium phosphate fertilizers are used in ABC fire extinguishers as well.

And in this report we read: "Fire suppression chemicals have minor toxicological or ecological effects and, as a result, do not generally harm terrestrial ecosystems. Major impacts, suppression chemicals have on the environment, may be through the adverse effects on water quality, and subsequently to aquatic ecosystems. Retardants may encourage eutrophication and, in some cases, contribute to fish kill when applied on watersheds, or if accidentally applied directly to water bodies."

About what you'd expect from spreading fertilizer.

The CDC on Bedbugs

Bed Bug Infestations in an Urban Environment

Bed Bugs: Integrated Pest Management In and Around the Home

Carpenter bees are very good pollinators. Keep a raw plank out for them. Seal and paint the rest of the house. If we lose honeybees were going to need all the pollinators we can find! Proof: http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcor...

One reason for dead trees is not only the drought but also the side effect that the ground water table has fallen. Even more worrying is that the ground water table in many places in California has fallen for a century now and there's no end in sight.

That's socialism!! I signed my pledge not to raise taxes etc

The problem isn't socialism nor capitalism. The problem is industry collusion with the politicians calling the shots. The agricultural industry in California has deep political ties stemming back nearly two centuries. Consequently, we've got the opposite of socialism (government regulation for the betterment of society). We've got corruption.

Water is sold to agriculture for a bit over $100 per acre-foot. Looking at my latest residential water bill, the lowest price tier (enough for a family of 4 at 55 gal/person-day) is $3.41 per 100 cubic feet. Which is $1488.47 per acre-foot.

All of California's water problems would disappear if agriculture had to pay the market rate for water. Instead you've got this corrupt pricing scheme where the group using 80% of the water has pushed the vast majority of the water cost onto the other 20%. That regulatory price distortion is what leads to ridiculous situations like alfalfa farmers flooding their fields with water while residential homeowners are told to let their lawns die in order to conserve water.

The numbers for alphalpha and water exported didn't make a lot of sense, so I did a couple of quick searches: http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcor...

This is, of course, not real water nor the water contained in the crop itself, but the water used to irrigate the crop, water that could be used for something more importantâ"at least according to the authors.

That is right, they are counting as "exported" water which....the vast majority of.... evaporates locally, and stays in the local environment.

That is straight up lies.