Government in (in)action

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Freakin Barge sinks in the river, no one does anything except one industrious dude from Lyle who bailed and kept it floating all summer.

Hard to believe that between local, state or federal gov. no action was taken.

Mark, hope you didn't try smokin any of that bail you found floatin...

"Regulators don't think Barge 202 holds fuel, though it may have had asbestos in bags of waste in its holds."
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/10/as_predicted_derelict_barge_20.html

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I thought this comment was pretty good.

found it at the bottom of the article.

oh brother.

a vessel that probably spent it's life ferrying goods through locks and dams built with federal funds, for the profit of a private corporation is then sold for scrap to a guy with zero respect for the environment or the laws that are in place to protect it for ALL to enjoy; who then lets it float off and create a hazard that eventually the government, i.e. taxpayers will pay to clean up.

and people blame it on the "government"? talk about focusing on what you want to see, not the reality of the situation.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

...and internalizing profit. People who care about clean rivers should be angry at the corporation that abandoned the barge and in my opinion abused the maritime laws. The only sector of gubmint I'd be upset with is the lawmakers who allow loopholes like this to exist for corporations to exploit. Some private entity or another needs to be held accountable for this giant floating (now sunk) hunk of garbage that was littered into the Columbia. It's not even legal to throw a pop can into the Columbia but apparently it's ok to litter a hundred tons of steel and possibly cancer causing substances into the river with no one fined or arrested. These maritime laws need an update. Could we also get rid of old washers and dryers this way as well...? Maybe just tie an old beachball to it, throw it in the river and call it derelict?

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

I believe Asbestos needs to be inhaled into your lungs in order for it to have the potential to be unhealthful. Watered down asbestos may not be an issue at all. if the asbestos is bagged as stated in the article it is not a hazard unless it breaks open and you are in close proximity.

In a past life I was a commercial/industrial general contractor. I have been involved in more than one asbestos abatement project that were only executed to adhere to a completely ridiculous govt. regulation. Once unnecessarily costing taxpayer and once an insurance company(hence you the consumer). Which is worse? A government wasting your money or a evil corporation wasting your money? Which one are you paying to act in your best interest?

I in no way endorse leaving this barge in the river to be left to others to pay for the disposal of this vessel. it is just like dumping a couch on the side of the road except on a much larger scale. Those responsible should be lashed to the barge.

This story could be looked at from another angle. An evil corporation left this dilapidated vessel anchored in the river. A private unemployed entrepreneur saw an opportunity to improve his financial situation by scrapping the barge. What blocked him from resolving this problem with little or no govt help??? Was it an evil corporation or different government entities competing with over lapping jurisdictions and regulations?? Instead of finding a way to fix the problem the different depts collectively (pun intended) sat on their hands while the situation deteriorated. Now the problem is $$10X worse. If that barge has any buoyancy and becomes untethered it will become a drifting hazard to navigation. It could easily disable a barge running down river which then hits a bridge, spills its load of hazardous cargo and the dominoes keep falling..... Worst case scenario? Yes, but, completely avoidable. Hopefully it will just settle somewhere and slowly break down. Not one govt agency had the foresight to act in a way that would keep this problem from getting worse. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

So, who is not thinking of the taxpayer aside from the evil corporation? We pay these guys to act in our best interests, but, govt culture does not seem to get past CYA. How sad.