The Mercury's Rising

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an updated advisory today about eating fish from waters in the commonwealth.  It's not all bad news as seven waterways had their warnings either lifted or eased. But it there is some bad news for the Upper Delarew River. 

The DEP has issued a new warning for smallmouth bass in Pike and Wayne Counties.  These two counties encompass the entire Upper Delaware River and include all the border water between Pennsylvania and New York.  In the case of Pike County part of the border is also shared with New Jersey. All total, this is somewhere around 100 mile of river.  What the DEP suggests is that no more than two meals per month be from smallmouth bass from this section of river due to mercury contamination.

Mercury from emissions is thought to be a major contributor. A 2008 study published by the New York State Department of  Environmental Conservation revealed a similar pattern on the New York side of the river in several lakes in the Delaware River Basin.

Other Pennsylvania waterways with new advisories are:

• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Shohola Lake in Pike County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Lackawanna Lake in Lackawanna County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Stephen Foster Lake in Bradford County;
• One meal per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River in Bradford and Wyoming counties;
• Two meals per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Allegheny River in Warren, Forest, and Venango counties;
• One meal per month advisory for Northern Pike in Conneaut Lake in Crawford County; and
• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Crystal Lake in Crawford County.

To read the entire press release, including waters with lifted or eased advisories check out this link:  DEP Issues Updated Fish Consumption Advisories for 2011

Trout Unlimited Supports Governor's Horizontal Fracking Moratorium in New York, But More Protection Needed

Arlington, Va. - "On December 11, Gov. David Paterson took a step in the right direction by executing an order placing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for horizontal, hydraulic fracturing until July 2011," said Katy Dunlap, Director of Trout Unlimited's Eastern Water Project.  "However, by excluding vertical wells from the moratorium, Gov. Paterson has carved out an dangerous exception and has ignored the will of the people - as expressed by the New York legislature - as well as his earlier statements that gas drilling won't be allowed in New York until we can be sure that it won't harm the environment," Dunlap said.
 
"The impacts of hydraulic fracturing have not yet been fully assessed by the state and all types of drilling using this technology should be suspended until the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has determined that is safe for the environment and humans. Trout Unlimited calls on Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo to expand the executive order when he enters into office to include vertical wells and to fully protect New York's natural resources from the impact of gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing," Dunlap said.

Trout Unlimited is the nation's largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

The Delaware River Needs Your Vote

While the Lackawaxen River completes its tenure as Pennsylvania’s 2010 River of the Year, the Delaware River is poised to wrest the title/mantle for 2011. Nominated for this recognition by the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee and Delaware River Basin Commission, the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi is one of six finalists for the designation. 

As highlighted in the river’s nomination, ‘Its waters serve the needs of over 15 million people from four different states and hundreds of communities, as well as provide healthy ecological habitat to all forms of life.’

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers administer the River of the Year program, which culminates in a year-round slate of activities and events celebrating the river, including a special extended paddling trip.

The honor is bestowed to raise public awareness about the resource and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. Earlier this year, the Delaware was selected as America’s Most Endangered River by the American Rivers organization for the threats posed to it by natural gas development.

Delaware River lovers can read statements for each of the rivers and cast a vote for their favorite at surveymonkey.com/s/9YM8TSK . Voting ends January 3, 2011 and the winner will be announced later in the month. Spread the word!