|
|
Urban Runoff Killing Washington Salmon
by J.R. Pegg, ENS
Every time it rains in Seattle, the storm water sweeps a wide array of
urban pollutants into the city's creeks. Faced with mounting evidence
that this runoff is killing endangered salmon, state and city
officials are wrestling with the economic and environmental
consequences of new plans to further protect the city's creeks. A new
report from the National Marine Fisheries Service compares a West
Seattle creek, which has undergone extensive rehabilitation efforts,
with a rural creek outside the city.
During the six-week study, the scientists found that 88 percent of the
coho salmon entering the urban creek died within a few hours, most
before spawning, while only one fish that entered the rural stream
perished.
The scientists have not yet reached a final conclusion, but water
quality is the primary suspect. The researchers plan to examine
samples from the dead fish for evidence of exposure to polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds found in automobile exhaust and other
air pollutants which eventually make their way into the water.
"Storm water has a definite, undeniable effect on the survival of
these fish," said Department of Ecology director Tom Fitzsimmons. "The
water's got to be cleaned." But the city has spent some $26 million
since 1999 to protect its creeks from pollution and degradation. For
example, Longfellow creek, the urban stream selected for the study, is
considered a model for stream rehabilitation projects, featuring
carefully replanted banks and manmade gravel beds for spawning salmon.
A range of local activists, including the community group Yes for
Seattle, and the local chapter of Sierra Club, are now calling for
more extensive efforts through a plan called Initiative 80, which many
have dubbed Save Seattle Creeks.
The plan would require the city to develop a long term creek
restoration plan, with developers assisting with creek restoration. It
calls for tighter storm water regulations and a ban on pesticide use
on public lands adjacent to creeks. The initiative also requires the
city to "daylight" some creeks that have been directed into
underground pipes.
The plan could cost about $5 per household, or some $1.3 million per
year. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels supports reducing pesticide use and
matching funds for volunteer restorations. Restoration projects would
be selected by a new Citizens Oversight Committee, consisting of
scientific, environmental, business and community interests. Critics
argue the measure fails to reign in private development and relies far
too much on voluntary efforts.
Already in Washington seven species of salmon and steelhead are listed
as threatened or endangered. Conservationists estimate only one
percent of the historic wild salmon population still exists.
|
