BP Increases Toxic Sludge Dumping into Lake Michigan

BP will now be allowed to dump an average of 1,584 pounds of ammonia and 4,925 pounds of sludge mixed with 21 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into Lake Michigan EVERY DAY. An immediate boycott of BP is necessary.

There are thousands upon thousands of people who get drinking water directly from Lake Michigan. This is a message for you folks who are ingesting BP's bullshit.

From the Tribune:

The massive BP oil refinery in Whiting, Ind., is planning to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan, running counter to years of efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.

Indiana regulators exempted BP from state environmental laws to clear the way for a $3.8 billion expansion that will allow the company to refine heavier Canadian crude oil. They justified the move in part by noting the project will create 80 new jobs.

Under BP's new state water permit, the refinery—already one of the largest polluters along the Great Lakes—can release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. Ammonia promotes algae blooms that can kill fish, while sludge is full of concentrated heavy metals...

BP, which aggressively markets itself as an environmentally friendly corporation, is investing heavily in Canadian crude oil to reduce its reliance on sources in the Middle East. Extracting petroleum from the thick goop is a dirtier process than conventional methods. It also requires more energy that could significantly increase greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

Environmental groups and dozens of neighbors pleaded with BP to install more effective pollution controls at the nation's fourth-largest refinery, which rises above the lakeshore about 3 miles southeast of the Illinois-Indiana border...

State and federal regulators, though, agreed last month with the London-based company that there isn't enough room at the 1,400-acre site to upgrade the refinery's water treatment plant.

This is the purest example of corporate green washing. We've been hearing from BP for years now about how green they are becoming and how sustainable their operations are. Well, it's an outright lie. BP is poisoning Lake Michigan, the water you swim in and drink. This is not some remote oil spill in Alaska, this is right in our backyard.

I'M CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE BOYCOTT OF BP THROUGHOUT THE GREAT LAKES. LET'S SHUT THESE BASTARDS DOWN, PERMANENTLY. DO NOT PURCHASE ANY BP GAS UNTIL THIS NEW ATROCITY HAS STOPPED OR THE BP FACILITY IN INDIANA IS SHUT DOWN. IF THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS, THEY ARE DEAD WRONG.

Do the math:
1584 pounds of ammonia per day multiplied by 365 days equals 578,160 pounds per year, and 5,781,600lbs in the next decade.

4925 pounds of toxic sludge multiplied by 365 days equals 1,797,625 pounds per year, or 17,976,250 pounds over the next 10 years.

The Grand Total? 23,757,850 pounds of BP bullshit.

At 21 million gallons of contamintated water per day, they will pollute 76,650,000,000 gallons of fresh water in the next ten years.

Read the Chicago Tribune article for yourself, get motivated and get involved: Chicago Tribune
Published July 15, 2007

Bush Administration to Slaughter Recovering Wolf Population

The Bush Administration has just issued plan that will order the extermination of half the gray wolves in Wyoming and Idaho, starting in October. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public comments on this proposal until August 6.

Our best hope for blocking this "open fire" order is to generate a tidal wave of public outrage and protest...so please sign your send your comments immediately.

In preparation for these mass killings, the government has already purchased planes and helicopters capable of gunning down entire packs of wolves in minutes. The goal is to immediately kill up to 700 wolves in Greater Yellowstone and central Idaho.

Only three months ago, online activists sent more than 137,000 comments protesting the Bush Administration's plan to remove Greater Yellowstone's wolves from the endangered species list. But even before that issue has been decided, the Bush Administration is declaring open season on wolves.

They will order the slaughter to begin while wolves are still on the Endangered Species list.

The administration wants to be able to kill wolves anywhere that elk herd numbers may be affected by wolves. It is focusing on areas where elk herds are smaller than the states want.

But those few cases of declines in elk herds have been caused by a combination of factors including habitat destruction, drought and human hunting -- not just by wolves. In most areas of the northern Rockies, elk numbers are at all-time highs!

Please block this newest disgraceful act by Washington by expressing your personal opposition while the Bush Administration is still taking public input.

Submit your comments now by clicking on the big red "Take Action" button. Help protect the wolves of Greater Yellowstone and Idaho from the coming gunfire.

Your Water, Your Rights, Your Future

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation Releases Report About Problems with Bottled Water

Choosing tap water over bottled water is better for consumers’ health, their pocketbooks, and the environment, according to a new report written by Food & Water Watch and released today by Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation who has been battling the spring water bottled giant Nestlé Waters North America (Ice Mountain) for over six years.

In 2005, Americans spent $8.8 billion for almost 7.2 billion gallons of non-sparkling bottled water. In 2006, they drank even more, about 26 gallons per person. The bottled water industry spends billions on advertising that promises purity in a bottle while implying that tap water is somehow less safe, something that is simply not true, according to the report.

“Bottled water generally is no cleaner, or safer, or healthier than tap water. In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “Rather than buying into this myth of purity in a bottle, consumers should drink from the tap.”

In the trial of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation v Nestle Waters North America, the taking of spring water by Nestle, Ice Mountain, is diminishing the flow and level of a stream and two lakes, and reducing the stream width according to the Mecosta County Circuit Court. The Court of Appeals upheld the trial court's factual findings and Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation is awaiting an opinion from the Michigan Supreme Court. When you drink bottled spring water, you are drinking water that would feed the headwaters of a stream. “Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation is hoping that other cities in Michigan follow Ann Arbor's lead after it adopted 'The Resolution to Drink Tap Water' on June 6, 2007 and promote drinking tap water,” said Terry Swier, president of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation.



Among the facts highlighted in Food & Water Watch’s report, Take Back the Tap, are the following:

Bottled water costs hundreds or thousands of times more than tap water. Compare $0.002 per gallon for most tap water to a range of $0.89 to $8.26 per gallon for bottled waters.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates only the 30 to 40 percent of bottled water sold across state lines.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires up to several hundred water tests per month by utility companies while the FDA requires only one water test per week by bottling companies.

Nearly 40 percent of bottled water is simply filtered or treated tap water.

U.S. plastic bottle production requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 100,000 cars.

About 86 percent of the empty plastic water bottles in the United States land in the garbage instead of being recycled.

But just kicking the bottle in favor of the tap is not enough, says Food & Water Watch. Our nation’s public water and sewer infrastructure is old and in the coming years will need billions of dollars of investment to maintain and further improve treatment, storage, and distribution. Each year we fall more than $20 billion short of what is needed to maintain our public water and sewage systems.

“It’s time for Congress to establish a clean water trust fund that would give communities the financial help they need to invest in healthy and safe drinking water for every American and for future generations,” Hauter said.

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation joined Food & Water Watch to encourage consumers in Michigan and across the United States to take back the tap by choosing tap water over bottled water whenever possible and supporting increased funding for safe and affordable public tap water.


The report is posted at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/pubs/reports/take-back-the-tap

Individuals can pledge to Take Back the Tap at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/bottled

Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights group based in Washington, D.C. that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org.


Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation is a nonprofit group based in Mecosta, MI organized to conserve, preserve, and protect Michigan’s natural water resources and the public trust in those natural resources. Find them at www.savemiwater.org

Watch This.

Thanks to Liberal Lucy for this. I am her secret admirer.

Big Ideas

I've been sick on the couch for a couple days, not moving much, so I've had the time to check out the Sundance Channel's new documentary series Big Ideas for a Small Planet. I can't recommended this highly enough, these short half-hour programs are filled with fascinating information. The show "focuses on environmental topics with interviews with forward-thinking designers and features on green products and alternative ideas that may transform our everyday lives." Check it out. It made me feel better.

Click the logo to learn more, and to watch a few clips from recent episodes.

The Conservative Minority, Continuing Decline

Media Matters and Campaign for America's Future have just completed a new joint report called, "The Progressive Majority: Why a Conservative America is a Myth."

The report uses non-partisan polling data gathered over the course of 20 years to show that conventional wisdom that Americans are overwhelmingly conservative is simply wrong.

The United States – regardless of how the current corporate media portrays it – is a progressive nation that is getting more progressive, including Michigan.

Michigan Polling Data:
1. “Providing health insurance for people who do not already have it—should the federal government spend more on it, the same as now, less, or no money at all?” Percent answering “More”: 74%

2. The federal government helping to pay for health insurance for all children—do you favor or oppose this? Percent answering “favor”: 83%

3. “The federal government helping employers pay the cost of their workers’ health insurance—do you favor or oppose this?” Percent answering “favor”: 69%

4. “Providing financial assistance to public elementary and secondary schools—should the federal government spend more on it, the same as now, less, or no money at all?” Percent answering “more”: 68%

5. “The federal government trying to reduce the income differences between rich and poor Americans—do you favor or oppose the federal government doing this?” Percent favoring: 56%

6. “The federal government banning all abortions—do you favor or oppose the federal government doing this?” Percent opposed: 63%

7. “Would you favor or oppose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution saying that no state can allow two men to marry each other or two women to marry each other?” Favor: 42% Oppose: 48%

8. “Restricting the kinds of guns that people can buy—should the federal government do more about it, do the same as now, do less about it, or do nothing at all?” Percent answering “more”: 53%

Follow the logic. It makes sense that Michigan businesses should promote themselves as progressive and let their customers know of their progressive values.

Positive Move, But Why Wait So Long?

Two congressmen from Illinois announced legislation Thursday that, starting in 2027, could quadruple fines for cities that release sewage into the Great Lakes.

The legislation by Republican Rep. Mark Kirk and Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski also would start a fund to help pay for wastewater treatment and wetland restoration.

More Info

Dow Corp: They are the problem, not the solution

Press Release from the Michigan DEQ, here's the latest on the ongoing battle against Dow Chemical.

Dow to Begin Cleanup Work in Tittabawassee River

The Dow Chemical Company will begin work next week to remove a deposit of contaminated sediments in the Tittabawassee River, just upstream of the Dow Dam in Midland. The sediments are contaminated with high levels of dioxins and furans, chlorobenzenes, metals, and other materials.

A coffer dam will be constructed in the river to contain the materials and facilitate its removal, and boaters and fishermen are advised to maintain a safe distance from construction activities.

The Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a revised permit for Dow to construct the steel dam structure as a component of an Interim Response Activity that requires Dow to remove the contaminated material from the river. The permit was revised to address contamination that was found outside of the footprint of the original project area. In addition, Dow has also been constructing a mile and a half long pipeline and a sediment dewatering facility on the Dow plant site over the past several months. After dewatering, the sediments will be disposed of in the Dow Salzburg Road Landfill. The coffer dam will be removed at the end of the project.

The “Reach D” deposit of highly contaminated sediments was identified during the implementation of the corrective action sampling plan for the upper six miles of the Tittabawassee River during 2006, and the cleanup process was agreed upon prior to EPA's recent order. An additional eleven miles of the river, to the State Road Bridge in Saginaw County, is scheduled for sampling in 2007.

Why do we trust that the people who poison rivers and land will be responsible enough to clean it up? The fox is in the hen house...

MORE INFORMATION, this multi-year fight continues:

Dioxin Exposure in Adults Living in the Tittabawassee River Flood Plain

Midland/Tittabawassee River Dioxin Information

Tittawabassee River Watch

Dredge It Right!

Support the Lone Tree Council in their fight against Dow Chemical. Check them out at www.lonetreecouncil.com/

knú: Sustainable Furniture, as Green as it Gets

Grand Rapids and West Michigan are famous for unique, creative furniture designs. knú takes it a step further, pushing the Midwest furniture industry toward sustainability. From suppliers to manufacturing to online sales, knú is riding the crest of the green wave. It's just like surfing Lake Michigan.

knú has recently partnered with IBM and Shared Vision to create an e-commerce site to sell furniture online; knú will save trees and energy by not producing bulk mail catalogs to clog landfills. An impressive array of designs is produced from Forest Stewardship Council certified sustainably harvested wood products, the legs and hardware of the furniture is made from 40% post-consumer waste recycled (and fully recyclable) steel, and the few plastics used are also fully recyclable.

knú uses very low VOC finishes to reduce toxic air pollution and greenhouse gases. There are no toxic adhesives used in any of furniture.

In addition, the majority of knú's suppliers are local. 90% are within a 50 mile radius of the manufacturing facility, which by the way, uses highly energy efficient f-bay lighting and infra-red heating.

What's really cool is that knú offsets all of its carbon emissions. 100% of their CO2 created by executive air travel, vehicle use, and the electricity and natural gas used in manufacturing is offset by the purchase of renewable energy certificates and investments in renewable energy. There are very few companies doing this so far, knú is leading the way.


The crew at knú are a group of folks you'll wanna sit down and have a brew with. From the top down they are true West Michigan progressive thinkers, environmental activists, wilderness lovers and outdoorsmen. They are also founding members of the newly formed Sustainable Furniture Council, a non-profit coalition of over 40 small furniture companies doing it the green way.

I'm getting sick of the big corporations telling us that they're green, especially when we know they're just trying to force their crap on us. You've gotta look through the green-washing and see the real folks who are really trying. Well here they are, right in your backyard. Check them out at www.getknu.com

We're Headed to Telluride, Baby!!!

I'm leaving for 10 days for Colorado, going to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
This year's festival is outrageous!

The line-up includes the Counting Crows, Los Lobos, Allison Kraus, Chick Corea, Emmy Lou Harris, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Mike Marshall, Tony Rice and Peter Rowan to name a few. But the real news is that Kalamazoo's own Greensky Bluegrass is going to take the main stage for their first ever appearance after winning last year's new band competition.

Since 2003, the festival has purchased renewable energy - in the form of Renewable Energy Credits (REC’s) - to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) created by its electricity, diesel and gas consumption. This year they are offsetting 100% of the emissions created, including travel to and from Telluride.

Solaicx has big plans

Just a note to the boys at United Solar Avionics, here comes the competition. Solaicx, a manufacturer of mono-crystalline silicon ingots and wafers for solar photovoltaic applications, has selected Portland, Oregon, as the location for its new silicon manufacturing facility.

Of course, there's plenty of room in the growing solar market. Right guys?

Read More

EPA awards $100,000 environmental justice grant to Cleveland Tenants Organization

The Cleveland Tenants Organization is one of 10 non-profits across the country awarded a $100,000 environmental justice grant by the EPA. This is noteworthy as this is probably the first time the Office of Environmental Justice has ever done anything worthwhile.

The grant is part of EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving program that supports environment and public health improvements in low-income communities around the nation. According to a report by the national bar association in 1993, 96% of hazardous toxic waste dumps were in minority own areas. That hasn't changed, the pricks in the Bush administration have done nothing about it.

From the Press Release (caveat emptor): Cleveland Tenants Organization - in conjunction with Environmental Health Watch - plans to reduce exposure to indoor air hazards in low-income, multi-family rental housing. It hopes to accomplish that by conducting educational outreach, performing building inspections, organizing tenants to affect local policy decisions and providing resources such as home visits in Greater Cleveland.

According to Cleveland Tenants Organization Executive Director Michael J. Piepsny, "Greater Cleveland's housing landscape embodies the affordable housing crisis facing our country." There are currently 230,000 rental properties in the Cleveland area, 89 percent of which were built prior to 1979, before laws regulating hazards like lead in paint.

"Deplorable conditions -- disrepair due to aging housing stock, poor management or owner neglect and disregard for building and health codes -- place low-income people at risk for lead poisoning, asthma and other health problems," said Piepsny. "We look forward to working with Environmental Health Watch and EPA to assure that this sensitive population's homes are healthy and safe."

In 2007, EPA awarded $1 million in grants across the country for improving the environment in low income communities. Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located.

The purpose of the funding is to assist affected communities so they can develop new approaches to environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability. Since 1994, EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving program has provided more than $31 million in funding to more than 1,100 community-based organizations.

Black Bear Speaks in no way endorses the actions of the EPA as it is currently controlled by the assholes in the Bush Administration. This problem is so monumental and the funds being sent are tiny in comparison. Most likely this program will accomplish nothing until the Bushies are ousted from power.

US/Canadian Study says Lakes Need Help

CHICAGO (June 7, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada today released the 2007 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report at the International Joint Commission meeting in Chicago.

Overall, the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem is mixed, with some conditions improving while others are getting worse.

Every two years the Great Lakes community reports on the condition of the Great Lakes ecosystem at the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference. The last conference was held Nov. 1-3, 2006, in Milwaukee, Wis. The State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report summarizes the information provided in indicator reports presented at the biennial conference.

The 2007 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report, for the first time, includes a section on "What is Being Done to Improve Conditions." According to Gary Gulezian, EPA Great Lakes National Program Office Director, "As never before, legislators, managers, scientists, educators and the Great Lakes community are working together to understand and respond to Great Lakes environmental challenges." These efforts to restore and preserve the Great Lakes are spotlighted in the 2007 SOLEC Highlights Report.

The good news is:
*Over the past 30 years there has been a marked reduction in the levels of toxic chemicals in the air, water, flora, fauna and sediment.
*Great Lakes continue to be a good source for treated drinking water.
* In 2005, 74 percent of monitored Great Lakes beaches in the U.S. and Canada were open more than 95 per cent of the swimming season. Wildlife waste can be more of a contributing factor in bacterial contamination than previously thought.
* Air quality is improving, although there still are regional areas that continue to have ozone and smog problems.
* Significant natural reproduction of lake trout is occurring in lakes Huron and Superior.


The bad news is:
* New chemicals of concern, like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants) and various pharmaceutical and personal care products are being detected more frequently.
* Decline in contaminant concentrations has not eliminated the need for sport fish consumption advisories.
* Non-native species (zebra mussels, spiny water fleas) continue to invade the Great Lakes and impair the food web.
* Declines in the duration and extent of ice cover on the Great Lakes and declines in lake levels due to evaporation during the winter are expected to occur in future years.
* Continuing wetlands loss and degradation results in loss of habitat for birds, amphibians, fish and wildlife.
* Aquatic habitats on the coasts continue to deteriorate due to development, shoreline hardening and non-native species.

For the State of the Great Lakes 2007 Highlights Report and other documents about Great Lakes indicators and the State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conferences, visit www.binational.net or www.epa.gov/glnpo/solec.

Utter Stupidity Reigns in Washington DC

I am disgusted and appalled that my elected representatives voted in favor of the recent war spending bill. I have completely lost faith in the Democratic Party. They have shown themselves to be toothless, spineless wimps. The citizens of this country have been betrayed by our leadership. Our president is a fool, and our Congress follows him blindly.

What possible reason could anyone have to continue funding this fucking war? What is wrong with these people? Are they blind to the death and destruction? Are they blind to the global hatred of Americans? Are they so deaf and dumb as to actually consider that continued support of the murder and torture of the Iraqi people is justified? What do they think $100,000,000,000 will buy us? More secret prisons where young men are tortured and killed? More bullets to kill innocent children in the streets of Ramadi?

Those who vote for war will not get my vote! I will support those who vote for peace, vote for schools, vote for poverty relief, vote for feeding the hungry, vote for the environment, but never, Never will I support any elected official who voted to continue this war.

Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin should be ashamed of themselves. We should kick them out of office the next chance we get.

Only 13 out of 100 Senators voted against additional war funding. We should drag the other 87 out of their offices out into the street and kick them all in the nuts for being such fucking idiots. It's time we replaced EVERYONE in Washington DC.

Toxic Chemicals in Child Car Seats

Study Shows Chemicals including PVC, Brominated Flame Retardants and Lead May Contribute to Serious Health and Developmental Problems in Children

Best Infant Seats: Graco SnugRide Emerson & EvenFlo Discovery Churchil
Worst Infant Seats: Combi Centre EX Mango & Peg Perigo Primo Vaggio Toffee

Crash tests aren’t the only way to prove the safety of a car seat, according to new research released today by the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center. The same group that recently released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars at www.healthycar.org used the same research methodology to give the public similar information about child car seats. Their research shows that brand new car seats are made with several dangerous chemicals that can lead to serious health risks for children.

Beginning today, you can look up which car seats rank the best and worst in terms of toxic chemical content at www.healthycar.org. Anyone looking to buy a new car seat, or wondering if their child’s current car seat is safe, can visit this site and search by model, or comparison shop between different models.

“Car seats save lives. It’s absolutely essential that parents put their children in them while driving,” said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center’s Clean Car Campaign Director. “However, some car seats are safer than others when it comes to chemical composition.”

Chemicals tested for include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and plasticizers); lead; and heavy metal allergens. Such chemicals have been linked to major health problems such as liver, thyroid and developmental problems in children. Children have the highest exposure and are the most vulnerable population in terms of exposure to chemical-laden dust and inhaling toxic fumes, since their systems are still developing.

The Ecology Center tested 62 brand new infant, convertible and booster car seats which are retailed at the #1 babies’ product retailer, Babies “R” Us, and top five retailer Target. While some seats are virtually free of the most dangerous chemicals, others are saturated. To sample the car seats, they used a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, which identifies the elemental composition of any material in less than 60 seconds.

The study found that the best seats had no brominated flame retardants, no PVC and low levels of other chemicals tested. Over 40% of seat cushions tested contained no brominated flame retardants and 77% of the seats were free of PVC-plastic. However, over 1/3 of all seats tested had one or more components which contained higher levels of toxic chemicals.

While there are numerous substances in car seats that can lead to health and environmental problems, the Ecology Center selected those with known toxicity, persistence, and tendency to build up in people and the environment. These chemicals included:

Bromine: Associated with the use of brominated flame retardants, BFRs are added to plastics in order to impart fire resistance, but they are released into the environment over the life of the vehicle. Heat and UV-ray exposure in cars can accelerate the breakdown of these chemicals and possibly increase their toxicity. Some BFRs have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and memory impairment, decreased fertility, behavioral changes, and other health problems.

Chlorine: Associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride, PVC is a widely used type of plastic that is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle. PVC contains chemicals called phthalates, some of which have been associated with decreased fertility, pre-term deliveries, and damage to the liver, testes, thyroid, ovaries, kidneys, and blood. There is also evidence that phthalates can pass from mothers to babies through the placenta and through breast milk.

Lead: Lead is sometimes used as an additive in automotive plastics. Exposure can lead to a number of potential health effects including brain damage, and problems with the kidneys, blood, nerves, and reproductive system. It can also cause learning and behavioral problems.

Other: Other chemicals tested as part of healthycar.org include antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin. The substances in this category are allergens, carcinogens, or cause other adverse health impacts depending on the concentrations and exposure levels.

Arctic Ice Retreating 30 Years Ahead of Projections

BOULDER - Arctic sea ice is melting much more quickly than projected by even the most advanced computer models, a new government funded study has found. Comparing actual ice observations with climate models, the scientists conclude that the Arctic could be seasonally free of sea ice as early as 2020.

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