Lee Sprague, chairman of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians near Manistee, Michigan, says he's disappointed the report didn't take a stronger stand on mercury.
"We had recently tested a bald eagle at the highest level of mercury in the feather of that bird in any place," said Sprague. "So air deposition into Great Lakes water is certainly a concern of ours."
Mercury is produced when anything is burned. Coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of airborne mercury in the region. It accumulates in fish and causes developmental and nervous system problems, especially in children. Sprague says it's time for a concerted attack against mercury.
"This country came together under EPA leadership when we got lead out of gasoline. It's going to take that same kind of work, that same shared vision, to make mercury this century's lead. We got rid of lead in gasoline; we can get rid of mercury," said Sprague.
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/07/07_hemphills_greatlakes/
Posted by Dave at July 9, 2005 02:24 PM