Wednesday, January 9, 2008

County to Otter: Help with mercury problem

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By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Concerned by mercury contamination in Silver Creek near Picabo, the Blaine County Commission agreed unanimously Tuesday to send a letter to Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter asking him to make the issue one of his top concerns.

The contamination of Silver Creek was announced last fall by staff with the Idaho chapter of The Nature Conservancy, which owns a large preserve near the headwaters of the popular, spring-fed stream. The commissioners state in their letter that the pollution poses a serious threat to Idaho's clean water and priceless fisheries. Mercury is considered to be especially harmful to pregnant women and children.

"The latest news is particularly shocking because Silver Creek is a spring-fed system, whose waters are considered nearly pristine," the commissioners write.

The commissioners note that Silver Creek isn't the only stream in the region impacted by mercury contamination. They point out that other waterways in southern Idaho where similarly high levels of the element have been discovered include Salmon Falls Creek and C.J. Strike reservoirs, both popular recreational destinations.

So, the commissioners ask somewhat rhetorically, what do all these fisheries have in common?

"All are downwind of Nevada gold mines," they state. "These mines are likely the principle source of mercury blowing into Idaho. Other sources exist, but the Nevada mines appear to be the biggest."

Combating the problem will require adequate scientific research, which is critical to detection, source verification, pollution reduction and elimination and matters of public health, they add.

"Governor, we want to know we can count on you to take the threat of mercury pollution of Idaho's clean water and priceless fisheries deadly seriously," the commissioners write.

The commissioners do thank Otter for his previous commitment to addressing mercury contamination in Idaho.

"You have shown leadership on the issue of mercury pollution by reaffirming Idaho's choice not to participate in the federal mercury 'cap-and-trade' program. For this, Blaine County thanks you," they state.