[MPWG] we need letters of support

[Niki Telkes]

Hello

This is Niki Telkes, herbalist, ecologist, botanist, and just general plant 
lover.
I am with the Rhizome Collective, a nonprofit urban permaculutre and 
community action center in East Austin.  I am helping with the project 
listed below.  We are applying for grants and need letters of support from 
people that may be looked at as credible sources by the EPA and other 
agencies to be considered.  The project focuses on urban restoration and I 
want to make sure it includes propogating as many natives as possible and 
educating on native plant medicinals and edibles.  Thanks for any help you 
can offer.

Niki Telkes

Contact:  Scott Kellogg  512-294.9580
Stacy Pettigrew  512-385.3695



CALL FOR COMMUNITY COMMENT AND INVOLVEMENT




The Rhizome Collective is preparing a proposal to the EPA for funds to 
finish cleanup on the 9.8 acre Groves landfill property, located between 
Kemp Street and Country Club Road in the Montopolis neighborhood.  It 
borders the Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park.   3.6 acres of the site 
operated as a municipal household solid waste landfill from 1967-1970, after 
which it was capped.  The property was entered into the City of Austin 
Brownfields Redevelopment Program in October 1999.  Phase I and II 
environmental tests, and groundwater tests revealed the presence of volatile 
organic compounds, semi-volatile compounds, RCRA metals and 
pesticides/herbicides in the landfill area.  It was determined the landfill 
was suitable as long it was not disturbed, and that these contaminants were 
not leaving the property in groundwater at levels above the Texas Risk 
Reduction Program Tier Residential Levels.  In addition to the landfill, the 
site is further contaminated 5000 cubic yards of illegally dumped debris. 
Old appliances, asphalt shingles, 1,000 tires, metal, wood, and other 
construction debris and solid waste have been identified in the debris.  
Once the debris is cleaned, the property will receive a certificate of 
completion from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.



The property owner is donating this property to the Rhizome Collective.  We 
plan to finish cleanup and create an Environmental Educational Park.



Before cleanup, an Environmental Engineer will design a cleanup plan for the 
waste, with care so as not to disturb the landfill cap.  We plan to recycle 
and re-use as much of the debris as possible.  Tires, along with metal and 
wood, will be used to create Earthships, or structures made from waste 
materials.  Tires are filled with rammed earth and used as giant bricks.  We 
will use the Earthship design to form information kiosks.   Non-pressure 
treated wood will be chipped and used to mulch trails.   Any hazardous 
materials uncovered in the clean-up process would be safely disposed of at 
the City Of Austin Hazardous Waste disposal facility.  To prevent future 
dumping, we will post signs and erect a fence at the top of the ridge. We 
will made slight modifications to run an industrial chipper shredder and 
tractor off of waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants for use 
in the cleanup.



After the debris has been sorted, we will create an Educational Park that 
complements the 300 acre Colorado River Park.  The land will be stewarded 
according to ecological principals, with the goal of using the park as a 
place where people can appreciate and learn about nature and the 
environment.  Native grasses, wildflowers and trees will be planted to 
create a wildlife habitat for native and endangered species.   We will also 
plant a demonstration model of a food forest – fruit and nut trees and other 
perennial plants that provide food with little annual human input.  The food 
forest will further enhance the wildlife habitat.



A bicycle/walking trail that links the Montopolis neighborhood to the River 
Park will be created and opened to the public.



The Earthships created from the debris will serve as educational outdoor 
kiosks that highlighting and explaining information on the environment and 
sustainable stewardship.   Topics will include:

·         ‘Before’ photos of the brownfield, to highlight the possibilities 
inherent in any degraded piece of land;

·         How each of the various forms of debris were recycled or re-used

·         How to build an Earthship

·         How diesel engines run on vegetable oil -  the tractor and  
chipper-shredder

·         Native plant identification and uses

·         Wildlife

·         Creating wildlife habitat:  planting trees, grasses, wildflowers, 
butterfly gardens, bird and bat houses, etc.

·         The importance of wetlands and how they act as nature’s filter

·         How to build soil



Long-term goals for the educational park include demonstrations of: 
greenbuilding techniques such as cob, rammed earth, slip-straw, adobe and 
strawbale; and pilot bioremediation plots to break down landfill 
contaminants into harmless elements.



The EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant we are applying for is due 12/03/03.  We 
are asking for any comments on and community involvement in shaping this 
project.  We will be having a public meeting for those interested on Wed. 
November 26th at 7pm, at the Rhizome Collective.  (300 Allen St., south of 
7th and between Pleasant Valley and Springdale.  We can also be contacted 
anytime at the above numbers/email.

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