Tests show Idaho mercury not coming from Nevada

[NVMojo]

ROGERSON — With each step the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality takes toward solving a mercury mystery at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, the scarier that mystery becomes.

After more than a year of intense testing, data show the bulk of mercury entering the reservoir is likely coming from right here in Idaho and probably not Nevada mines as was initially suspected.

A little more than a year ago, the DEQ began testing mercury levels in the reservoir south of Rogerson. What they found was alarming: levels high enough to cause serious health problems.

The question was, where was the mercury coming from?

Preliminary test results hinted at mercury emissions from Nevada mines. The mercury could have been swept up by storms and deposited in the reservoir with rainwater.

more...

http://www.elkodaily.com/articles/2006/11/08/news/local_news/news3.txt

[Erika]

1. We've allowed corporate mining without safeguards forever

in Idaho. It's the GOP thing to do.

[lapfog_1]

2. Enough mercury to cause dain bramage?

Since Idaho is still about as red as you can get.

Sigh.

When are the hunters and fishing enthusiasts going WAKE THE FUCK UP?

[NVMojo]

3. they want those good paying mining job ...

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Interesting...

Idaho has no coal-fired power plants, the primary source of mercury pollution. In August, Gov. Jim Risch signed an order that essentially prevents any coal-fired power plants from opening in Idaho.

That's remarkably forward-thinking for a republican. What's the catch?