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Posted: 2/23/2005 4:10:24 AM EDT
Hey I need some help here. I was out mowing my lawn Sun. & I noticed a 4' long patch of oil bubbling out from undernieth my fence in the front yard, so I walk the fence line in the back & there is another just like it .My asshole neighbor (who is known to have an alternitive source of supplemental income) has dumped gallons of oil in two spots to drain down & kill off my yard. He's pissed cause I don't put up w/ his shit. Anyway I go file a police report complete w/ pics & guess what, they are short on manpower & have not been able to get ahold of dept. of health or epa. I need to get this taken care of by somebody who'll come out, investigate & start writing huge ass tickets. Could the fire dept. get things rolling through the proper channels ? Yup you guessed it, I live in the wonderful city of Granite Falls, cesspoll of the fucking universe. Here are some pics, there is a 2' square in some of the pics for scale. Any legitamate help can reach me at my company cell 206-396-7896 Paul
  
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Posted: 2/23/2005 4:15:54 AM EDT
[#1]
WOW!
I've worked 6 years in the HAZMAT industry from anthrax to crude oil to chlorine to sodium hydroxide and everything in between. You did fine by contacting the police ... BUT.... What you need to do is contact the state Department of Environmental Protection. They have hazardous materials responders that live for stuff like this. Call the DEP. Tell them you have a neighbor that is constantly dumping hazardous waste. Key word is constantly. Tell them you think it's oil but it could be solvents too. The DEP lives for oil and solvent spills. The DEP has guys on their payroll that do nothing but seek and destroy spills and lay fat citations on offending businesses and homeowners. They'll be out and the spill will be cleaned up with the deductable being 'dumped' onto your neighbor. At least that's what happens in New England. In many cases, the DEP will do MUCH more than a police department can do. If you're gonna be a bear, might as well be a grizzly! Go get em. Give the DEP a call and let us know how it goes. It's what I would do if that happened in my own yard. [Edited to add] Then call the DEA to help decipher that alternative source of income. Hey, if he wants to push your buttons....let him. He'll find out soon enough that everything he does to you comes back 10 fold. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 5:32:30 AM EDT
[#2]
Looks like you got classy neighbors.
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Posted: 2/23/2005 5:45:24 AM EDT
[#3]
Yeah, what Hoakie said!!!
I had an instructor that was a Wisconsin DNR Environmental Warden. Not a fish cop, an asbestos cop, a chemical cop. You might have slow motion from other agencies. Find out the specific Environmental Protection agency that has jurisdiction in your home AO and drop a dime. There are so many possible negatives from you not acting, and only positive if you do. 
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Posted: 2/23/2005 5:48:13 AM EDT
[#4]
Are you on city water or do you have a well? Leachfield? Any wetlands nearby? Kids playing across the street? Work it bro, work it!
I wish I was nearby you, I'd be all over this. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 5:52:13 AM EDT
[#5]
The FD ususally has hasmat training but not like that, they usually work with spills due to car wrecks. Anyway, definitely call DEP and if they don't do anything try the local FD and ask them who to call.
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Posted: 2/23/2005 6:22:17 AM EDT
[#6]
I'll bet Donna has some contacts in her network that would interested in this. Try getting a hold of her.
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Posted: 2/23/2005 6:48:09 AM EDT
[#7]
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Posted: 2/23/2005 6:51:32 AM EDT
[#8]
The DEP will sub out to a local environmentally insured and OSHA trained contractor, who will then dig the shit out of your yard for a quick fix over a few weeks, or maybe put in some elaborate SVE treatment system with monitoring wells and clean it up over 5 years.
They replace what they destroy, but the good news is they'll most likely get it cleaned up for you and bill the source for work. Want action? Call the DEP!!! Okay, I'll calm down now. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 9:08:35 AM EDT
[#9]
You can PROVE it was your neighbor that did it, right? Otherwise YOU are gonna be footing the bill to clean that up.
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Posted: 2/23/2005 9:27:07 AM EDT
[#10]
Hokie has the answers. CALL and CALL again. Tell them the odor is horrible.
The fire dept should respond and at least get a paper trail going. Take some pic of whats on the other side of the fence too. Doggone shame, looks like a nice fence. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 10:28:15 AM EDT
[#11]
Fire dept is not going tobe able to do Shit about it other than maybe have dispatch call DOE for you.....( I know,Im your fire dispatcher, and a firefighter in anoter district)  I would take Boomers advise and call D.O.E., I also bet Donna could use a IM...Have not heard from her in a week or so.( this is her gig!) If you want, Im more than willing to have the guys come out, but they dont have HAZMAT tech's in your district, they come from all over north county, so I doubt they will pull out the team for this. I have one of my best friends who is a paid guy in your district, so I can have him give you a call if you want. I will IM you with some questions...if anything I can get something rolling on this for you if all else fails. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 10:38:24 AM EDT
[#12]
Load up the truck - you struck it rich !!
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Posted: 2/23/2005 3:01:58 PM EDT
[#13]
Thanks gents ! I'm on it !
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Posted: 2/23/2005 3:02:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Don't put up with his shit, call ASAP because YOU might be held accountable for his actions.
WASHINGTON STATE: Hazardous Waste Spill: To report a hazardous waste spill, call the Washington Department of Ecology 24-hour Emergency Response Center at 425-649-7000. You can call this number for any problem that requires immediate attention. SNOHOMISH COUNTY: Hazardous Waste Spill: To report illegal hazardous waste dumpingl, call the Snohomish County Health District at (425)-339-5250. |
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Posted: 2/23/2005 6:09:34 PM EDT
[#15]
**UPDATE**
I had to run & take care of a few things, but anyway here's what happened. I made a disk of the pics & ran it down to the Fire Dept. , told my story to a nice gentelman & gave him the disk w/ my pics & thanked him. So I'm not home more than 15 min. & the state calls & wants to know what's going on & takes my statement. Says DOE will be in contact tomorrow & will investigate the substance & it's origins. There looks like there might be hope on winning at least 1. Gentelmen I extend a warm thanks for all your help, my hat is off to you
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Posted: 2/23/2005 6:41:23 PM EDT
[#16]
Right on! I hope this situation works out to your satisfaction.
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Posted: 2/23/2005 10:03:21 PM EDT
[#17]
good thing someones gonna do something about it
once someone dumped a STRIPPED Acura in my backyard 
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Posted: 2/23/2005 10:11:11 PM EDT
[#18]
Thoughtless bastards-- the least they could do is leave you a brand-new CJ-5--
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Posted: 2/23/2005 11:27:01 PM EDT
[#19]
Got a plate, or a VIN?.... I just took a stolen report for one... 
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Posted: 2/24/2005 1:26:15 AM EDT
[#20]
this happened a while back--its been resolved, then there was that truck rack--shhhh its on our truck now
 oh hazmat topic--form the pictures it looks like there are containers against the fence, right? and it leaks from them? |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:02:07 AM EDT
[#21]
no, no containers. That's why the word intentional comes to mind.
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Posted: 2/24/2005 6:49:28 AM EDT
[#22]
Your county health dept will probably respond the fastest. Call them ASAP as these things aren't cheap to clean up.
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Posted: 2/24/2005 7:09:31 AM EDT
[#23]
[Beavis]Fire! Fire! Fire![/Beavis]
(Of course, I'd never advocate Arson, but it would probably get someone's attention.) |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 3:09:55 PM EDT
[#24]
Kicked in the nuts again ! The DOE called today & said if they come out the entire property become a "toxic area" I will not be able to sell the house, she advises against it. She also said this is a civil matter & we could clean it up & pay to dispose of it ourselves & try to sue him for the damages. WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The DOH says they'll get back to me inside of 5 days & ask me some more questions. Meanwhile the area grows. At the rate it is growing cleaning it up w/o nailing the source is futile. I'm so fucking mad I can't see straight. I think I need a lawyer. Any recommendations ? Perhaps a call to the story tip lines of channel 4,5,7 & 13 would be in order |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 3:44:11 PM EDT
[#25]
Have you asked the neighbor to look at it? Does it smell like oil...or sewage? (sewage can look like that)
Why don't you scoop it up with a flat shovel? (Just don't let any fall out of the shovel on his car, boat porch shoes...rug, couch, TV...) MT |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 3:55:01 PM EDT
[#26]
No, he'd just plead ignorance as usual then go home & say fuck 'em. I put up a 6' cedar fence between the two properties to keep Mr. I'll do what ever I want , when ever I want away from my family. I want/ need this to hurt & hurt bad, he's been jerking the whole neighborhood around for the last several years & nobady has the guts to stand up to him but me. The city is so freakin broke they layed off their code enforcement. I'm almost half tempted to DOE come declare it a toxic zone & then sue him for the fair market value of the house & move. |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:03:05 PM EDT
[#27]
Does he have money? Civil Judgements against people that have no assets are a waste of time. If he owns the home you might be able to file a lien against it for the price of the cleanup.
Are you on septic systems or city sewer? Or do you know this is oil? Sewage can be black. If you are sure it is his goop I would return it to him. MT |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:20:29 PM EDT
[#28]
Ya I'm sure, his dumptruck was broke down for several weeks in the driveway & you can actually see where it was just dumped on the gravel next to the fence. I'm on city water/sewer. However on the $$$ thing I know he had to take out a second mortgage on his house to buy a new mini excavator, dumptruck ect. So I'm not sure what is left. I know he did it & he knows he did it, so when it hits the fan it will be his own hand at work. If I clean it up he's won, I want him to pay for what he'd done. We are all responsible for our actions or the lack of.
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:32:01 PM EDT
[#29]
Does he have a business? Is he incorporated or a Sole Proprietor?
You may also be able to file a lien against his business. MT |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:40:26 PM EDT
[#30]
Yes but I don't know if he even has a licience or bonding. He got pissed off at his employer ( so I heard) & started his own little busniss out of his house. I know he doesn't have a permit to run out of a residential area, but city hall has no code enforcement (been there). He has a few employee's (scumbags) I'm hoping he 's under the table, IRS time. I know this is starting to sound like I'm an asshole, but you know I've had all I'm gonna take.
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:42:31 PM EDT
[#31]
Paul - I'm working on an IM back to you...
Donna |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:45:53 PM EDT
[#32]
Thank you !
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:48:14 PM EDT
[#33]
I say we have an ARF get together at your place!
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Posted: 2/24/2005 4:56:55 PM EDT
[#34]
Well, I'm not sure I have a much different answer than the person you already talked to at my office today... but I will definitely TRY!
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Posted: 2/24/2005 5:15:11 PM EDT
[#35]
Thanks Donna !
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Posted: 2/24/2005 5:24:36 PM EDT
[#36]
enigma1
I feel your frustration in your posts. Please note that my Beverly Hillbillies 'bubbling crude' post was meant to give ya a laugh in the midst of this stressful situation. I hope you get a quick and just resolve to this FU'd situation. |
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Posted: 2/24/2005 7:29:06 PM EDT
[#37]
In the meantime...
( I love to help in anyway I can). I would head out to the street with a new master lock, find We all know that Oil and water dont mix. 
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Posted: 2/25/2005 4:33:12 AM EDT
[#38]
Well outside of calling in a DOE airstrike on your position, it soulds like you can either slap him with a lawsuit or work it out with him personally.
You'll be able to sell your house once the spill is cleaned up. You many have to disclose the event in the sale of the home at some point, but it happens all the time so you're not the first homeowner to sell a house that's had a spill. And don't forget....your property is bordering the property with the REAL problem. Your property won't be nearly as wringed out as his will be. You're the victim. If you don't want to move, then bring in the DOE. Or take a more political approach and work it out with your neighbor, telling him how serious you are.....that if HE doesn't figure out how to clean up HIS mess, that the DOE ..... will. Give him a deadline and don't go limp on him either and let it go for another week. Don't sit down on this matter and get tenacious with it. Your neighbor is dumping OIL and who knows what else along your property line! That's absolutely unnacceptable and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. |
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Posted: 2/25/2005 6:17:51 AM EDT
[#39]
Oh, that could be quite entertaining! 
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Posted: 2/25/2005 7:24:11 AM EDT
[#40]
Oh sure....... That'd be a real party....I could see it now, 20-something Arfcommers in Marpat Boonies getting cuffed n stuffed for throwing empty beer cans and open motor oil containers over the fence yelling obscenities! |
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Posted: 2/25/2005 10:37:16 AM EDT
[#41]
absolutely... enigma, do you have property where you can shoot from? Or at the very least, there can be a "swapmeet" held in your back yard....everyone could show up with their favorite rifles, pistols, hardware, etc.. think show of force for the neighbor to see. |
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Posted: 2/25/2005 10:50:03 AM EDT
[#42]
follow the advice hokie gave you
then sue him, take the ouse he lives in, and then rent it out to a real neighbor, all of the people where you live will be happy you got him gone |
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Posted: 2/26/2005 8:01:58 AM EDT
[#43]
LOL ! That would be funny, an ARFcom swapmeet. No where to shoot here, I'm just as you get into town. A show of force would escalate things. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed. However he is ruled by emotion, a trait I will be using to my benefit as this & other matters progress. Sloppy emotional filled knee jerk responses are expected. His momentum will carry him farther.
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Posted: 3/1/2005 3:06:37 AM EDT
[#44]
So what's been happening? Anything new to report?
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Posted: 3/1/2005 5:30:07 AM EDT
[#45]
From what I understand today is D-Day. I went to the PD last night to check the progress & DOH should be here later on in the morning, kinda sounds like w/ police escort. Multiple issues, hope they put his ass out like an unwanted cigarette. Called police again last night, outside pressure washing his house at 1:30 am w/ commercial gas powered machine, before that was Saturday night same deal only w/ loud music thrown in the mix. Somethings got to give. Will give sitrap possibly later on today.
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Posted: 3/1/2005 8:14:36 AM EDT
[#46]
This is starting to sound like my neighbor (renters). They like to use airtools on their POS cars at midnight. Then they start the POS cars (none of which sound like they have mufflers) and rev them to 4,000 at all hours of the night. Called the cops numerous times, but it doesn't seem to help. At least there is a "Proposed notice of land use" sign on their property now.... |
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Posted: 3/1/2005 10:16:20 AM EDT
[#48]
As long as it is after 10 p.m. keep calling on his sorry a$$ anytime he sneezes too loud... Does he have a dog?
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Posted: 3/1/2005 4:22:14 PM EDT
[#49]
Well as usual I can't help but feel underwhelmed, from what I hear DOH was here today, no police at all. Have no idea of the outcome of inspection or plan to move fwd. by Granite Falls PD. However I'm off tomorrow & will be face to face w/ the chief in the a.m. then off to DOH for a sitrap on their inspection. If I don't think my concerns are being addressed properly I have a draft letter sitting in outlook that will be fired off to TV channels 4,5,7,& 13 w/ an open invitation to come on out. If this is going to be a loop hole in the law or a case of blow smoke up my ass till I get sick of complaning lets shed a little light on it.
BTW : no dog(s) any more, he beats the shit out of them & breaks their spirit & gets rid of them. I'm glad he's given up on that endevor, it makes me sick 
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Posted: 3/2/2005 1:59:16 AM EDT
[#50]
Sorry to hear of your problem. Too bad he was not caught beating his dogs earlier because your problem may have been solved then with him in jail and not being able to pay for both mortgages. Be careful with guys like that. Making all that noise in the middle of the night, beating his dogs, etc., he's probably on drugs. Or he is really trying to provoke you in doing something so he can sue you. Just make sure he can't prove that you were the one dumping that oil.
I like the TV approach as it will not only put him in the limelight, but force the proper authorities to jump on this problem. Good luck.. |
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