Mercury in Lake Whatcom

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Thu, Jun 03, 2004, 5:15 pm  //  John Servais

Today the Washington Department of Ecology released a report that says, basically, that mercury in the lake is less now than in the past. "Decreasing" is the operative word.

Local conservatives are sending out sarcastic emails. "Let's see how this is reported." Their point is the environmentalists who have been warning of health risks from our drinking water are alarmists with no scientific basis for their concerns. It is odd to see conservatives selectively deciding to believe a government report. To stay in character they should be screaming about the waste of taxpayer dollars on a study saying our safe water is safe. Why do they believe this study?

Our DOE office in Bellingham has a terrible record when it comes to telling the truth. They have covered up the danger from mercury leaking from the chlorine plant at Georgia Pacific for many years. What mercury danger? Into our bay water and into our air. The mercury in Lake Whatcom may have come from the chlorine plant. Maybe it is going down now because the chlorine plant has been closed for several years.

Fish in the lake have high levels of mercury - high enough that the DOE recommends against eating them. That is not in the report. The source of the mercury is still unknown The reports admits that.

In a few days, the US Geological Survey will issue their report on the mercury in Lake Whatcom. It will be a full report, not a quickie like the DOE released. We will see what the Feds have to say - and if our conservative friends again want to uncritically believe a government report.

Related Links:

-> DoE: Mercury in Lake Whatcom
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Americans had to really want to see this movie

Wed, Jun 30, 2004, 5:00 pm  //  John Servais

No showing of Fahrenheit 9/11 in Bellingham this past week. Why not? Because Regal Cinema booked the rights to show it but waited to see if it was…

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Leave no proof behind

Thu, Jun 17, 2004, 5:07 pm  //  John Servais

From a friend who is an enlisted person in the military - in a combat unit. The officers - the lieutenants - of his unit lectured them this…

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We invite you to visit our large gallery at 901 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven. Take I-5 Exit 250.

We are remembering Reagan for the wrong reasons

Thu, Jun 10, 2004, 5:10 pm  //  John Servais

and we will suffer for it. Reagan did not win the Cold War. Communism was systemically fatal - just as all the conservatives kept saying. Reagan did do…

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Mercury in Lake Whatcom

Thu, Jun 03, 2004, 5:15 pm  //  John Servais

Today the Washington Department of Ecology released a report that says, basically, that mercury in the lake is less now than in the past. "Decreasing" is the operative…

0 comments

 

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