The results of some testing done by the state Department of Ecology last October now reveal “very high levels of Carbaryl and 1-Naphthol” in the Useless Bay Golf and Country Club golf course waterways. Golf course water is pumped into Puget Sound through Deer Lagoon and Useless Bay. Ray Gabelein and Steve Arnold assumed control over the drainage project last fall, operating both the old 1,400 gallon per minute golf course pump, as well as the new 6,000 gallon per minute pump that arrived Christmas Eve 2008. Both pumps have been pumping at various times. CSUBC does not condone pumping pesticides into Puget Sound and contends the drainage project is not an authorized diking district project.
Carbaryl is an insecticide used on a variety of crops. Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) occupational exposure of humans to carbaryl has been observed to cause cholinesterase inhibition, and reduced levels of this enzyme in the blood cause neurological effects. These effects appear to be reversible upon discontinuation of exposure. Headaches, memory loss, muscle weakness and cramps, and anorexia are caused by prolonged low-level exposure to carbaryl resulting from cholinesterase inhibition.
