permaculture

[Claude Genest <genest@together.net>]

Title: Cleaning up land....

What role might cover cropping serve in cleaning out chemical laden land ?
> From: "Elijah Smith" <elijah@hilobay.com>
> Reply-To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 07:03:54 -1000
> To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] How long before ag land is safe?

>  
> John,
>  
>  Yes, it's in lower Puna - right between Lava Tree and Green Lake (Kapoho Crater) - just north of Halekamahina crater, if you're familiar.  It's where the red cross is here <http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=5&amp;n=2158126&amp;e=304322&amp;s=25&amp;size=l&amp;loc=Pahoa> .  
>  
>  It's to the north of PGV, and while I'm aware of it, I think I can tolerate it.  It's right on the East Rift, but life is short.   Our neighbors on 3 sides are papaya, the fourth side looks like a small homestead, with bananas and citrus.
>  
>  It does have soil, not sure how deep.  I'm assuming it was probably cane at one time... most of that area was. 
>  
>  Part of what is attractive about this land to me is that it's already been trashed - and we could do it a service to clean it up.  I'm just trying to get an idea of how bad it could be...
>  
>  Does that give any more insight?
>  
>   Thanks!
>     Elijah
>  
>  
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Schinnerer" <eco_living@yahoo.com>
> To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 8:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] How long before ag land is safe?
>
> > Aloha,
> > 
> > > We've been eyeing some land in Hawaii that's currently 15 acres of
> > > solid, chemically grown, monocropped papaya.  It's cheap, has an 
> > > incredible location, and is surrounded by tall windbreaks and some 
> > > avocados, coconuts, etc.  It's mostly surrounded by more papaya 
> > > fields.
> > 
> > Sounds kinda familar - if you'll tell me exactly where the piece is I
> > may be able to provide some more info on why/why not it is/is not a
> > good deal.  If it's in Puna, there are several things besides poison
> > spray to consider - PGV, lava flow hazard zone, and what the ag
> > 'neighbors' are doing, to name a few.
> > 
> > And is it for sale fee simple when the lease ends, or would you be
> > taking the lease?  If so, what kine lease?
> > 
> > > Our question is - how long before it's
> > > "safe" to move in and live on that land?  One guy told us 3 years,
> > > which seems excessive - is it?  How about eating food off the land - 
> > > wait longer for that?  
> > 
> > Depends on a lot of things - is it soil, or just ripped lava; if soil,
> > how deep; was sugar cane ever grown there; what else has been grown
> > there; what are they spraying now; what else has been sprayed there. 
> > I'm assuming it's in Puna with consequent high rainfall...?
> > 
> > You might gather that info and check with Jim Albertini (tell him I
> > sent you :-) at Malu 'Aina (malu-aina.org - near Kurtistown) for his
> > thoughts on "how long".  He's an organic farmer, been in the area 20+
> > years and is a social/political activist who may have some useful info
> > for you.
> > 
> > A hui hou,
> > John S.
> > 
> > =====
> > John Schinnerer, MA
> > -------------------------
> > - Eco-Living -
> > Cultural & Ecological Designing
> > Food - Water - Shelter - Community - Technology
> > john@eco-living.net
> > http://eco-living.net
> > 
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