With the Gold King spill into the Animas, my concern was with mercury contamination because of its insidious persistence in the food chain and the damage it has already done to our lakes and rivers. I didn’t notice mercury listed as a worrisome heavy metal until the Herald editorial mentioned it as possible concern. On Aug. 28, it was reported that the Environmental Protection Agency has included mercury as a heavy metal to be monitored for long-term effects, along with arsenic, cadmium, lead, etc.
Coal-burning power plants have been spewing mercury and other pollutants for many years. Although they are now allowed to emit less – some may continue into 2041 (and beyond?). In the 1970s, it was known that micro life in high mountain cirque lakes was suffering. Now, there is a warning on consuming fish from even our most pristine lakes. In recent years, some species of fish from the upper Animas have died off because of the toxic mineral leakage from Silverton mines.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to restore God’s country?
Beth Suttle Estelle
Durango
