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8/24/2016 What is really gang on at Spoonbill Marsh? a InsideVero o There is a scandal being perpetrated that no one is willing to talk about. This information is confirmed by leading scientists and environmentalists and yet the local media has not only not been made aware of the situation but in some cases where the have been tipped off they are burying the story until after the election. Most of our local media have endorsed both incumbents Bob Solari and Tim Zorc to return to the County Commission despite their false and misleading statements about just what the county is doing. I believe they are suppressing this story because they don't want to look like schmucks just a couple of weeks after endorsing people who may possibly be committing criminal acts. I left that meeting angry as hell and determined to do something about it. I was invited because of my media backgfound, as someone they felt could help get the word out. And yet even now, some of the people in this meeting have since been unwilling to go on the record — afraid of making a false move that could come back on them before the election. I have no such fear. I am not a politician or a journalist. I answer to no one but my own code of ethics. There are two issues that I care deeply about and place above all others: education and the environment. On this issue 1 feel I cannot sit still and wait to see what happens. At the risk of offending some people I am starting the process of letting everyone possible know about what I have learned. Frankly I don't give a (expletive) about what anyone else thinks. As you will read in my attachment, I believe that our elected county officials are at the very least deceiving the public. I believe that by not reporting truthfully to the DEP they are doing something illegal but that will be for the courts to decide. I have been told by people smarter than me that their actions may be prosecutable. The author of the report, the whistle -blower, cannot come forward and so I am committed to never revealing my source. I will tell you that I have already spoken to someone in a better position to know about this and that person indicated that he/she was in agreement that this is factual and needs to be brought to the public's attention. If this is a scandal of the proportions I believe it is, some people could lose their jobs. This is one reason that some feel we should hold back the information for now. I believe that we need to put all the cards on the table and come what may. This is bigger than an election or some people's feelings. This is about our future and our children's future and their children's future. The attachment is merely an explanation of the basic problem at Spoonbill Marsh. It only scratches the surface. I have in my possession a more in-depth report that will be delivered to all media outlets as well as appropriate government agencies in the next 2 days. Once this hits I hope to arrange TV, radio, print media interviews with experts who can back this report up. The IRL is the lifeblood of this county's economic health. It is also one of the most significant environmental bodies of water on the east coast affecting everything from the fishing industry to migratory patterns of important species. We all know that the lagoon is dying. Here is something we can do about it. I ask that you read this attachment. If it resonates with you — no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on — I ask you to please get the word out — via email, social media, letter campaigns and phone calls. Talk about this with everyone! If you want to read the report I will make it available to you. It's Greek to me but maybe you can decipher it. Clearly 1 have a political ax to grind. I admit it. I attended last nights candidate forum in Sebastian with the intention of divulging this information but the group I am with felt it was not the time or place to do so. Still, when I heard the BS being told the public I left angrier than ever and I am just not willing to hold back until "all the ducks are in a row." I'd rather err by speaking too soon than speaking too late. If you have any contacts at the DEP at the state or federal level I ask you to please help me get the report to them. I -thank you for your time and patience. I know this is very long winded but I have the need to be clear and specific. I know everyone on the list this is going out to personally and I know that no matter who you are supporting in this election you will see that this is so important it supersedes politics. 1 am asking you to help this message go viral. We need the public to know and to act now! I appreciate your support. Barry Shaprio PS: To residents of John's Island, Windsor and the Moorings, you are the largest contributors to the Indian River Land Trust and to the political campaigns of several prominent district politicians. Be clear that in regards to the Indian River Lagoon cleanup you have been LIED TO! Now what? Shapiro's email included the following attachment: SPOONBILL MARSH FACT SHEET The following points are facts supported by scientific evidence. What is clear is that the County and its officers have invested so heavily in the marsh system and have lied to the public about its effectiveness. We do not attempt to address potential problems with Osprey Marsh or Egret Marsh, but we do know that these have reporting issues as well. The bottom line is that Spoonbill Marsh, which is in reality a liquid toxic waste dump, is not operating as designed or permitted. When properly investigated by an independent agency, this should be grounds for legal action to stop illegal discharges of toxic and untreated wastewater. County Commission chairman Bob Solari has aggressively defended the marsh system and is currently basing his re-election campaign on the benefits to the county these marshes provide. Clearly this is disinformation at best. Salient points: • Spoonbill Marsh is not properly functioning and not being properly maintained by the county, specifically as to how it collects and reports data. v 3 / • On the record, based on the official self-reported and unaudited DMR figures from January, 2015 to June, 2016, Spoonbill takes in on average 2.99 million gallons per day of toxic brine and water from the Indian River Lagoon. The number can vary somewhat according to weather and other factors. •. Approximately 0.5 to 1.0 million gallons run out of Spoonbill a day. IRC claims that an average of 2.28 million gallons is pumped out but their figures are contradicted by site visits by experts. The county doesn't have a system in place to meter the outfall, as required by the permit, so they go by their https:/Iinsidevero.com/2016/08/19/what-is-really-gang-on-at-spoonbill-marshl#print 2/12