mercury: from the sierra to the delta… and beyond! izzy martin the sierra fund
TRANSCRIPT
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- Mercury: From the Sierra to the Delta and beyond! Izzy Martin The Sierra Fund
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- We do this through: The mission of The Sierra Fund is to increase and organize investment in the natural resources and communities of the Sierra Nevada. Water Bond Mining Law Reform Fiscal Sponsorships Donor-Advised Funds Litigation Loans Addressing impacts of legacy mining
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- Detail from Brass Seal West side of Capitol: Miner and Mercury Flask
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- Mining left a lasting legacy from the Sierra to the Sea
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- Champion Mine (had 4 mercury retorting sheds) Circa 1890 The mine tailings were discharged directly into Deer Creek, outside of Nevada City, CA
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- More than 96% of the total mercury loading to the Bay-Delta comes from the streams and rivers of the Sierra Nevada and the Inner Coast Range (Wood et al., 2010). Figure From: SWRCB April 23, 2014 Mercury Programs Update
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- Map of Abandoned Mines in California California Department of Conservation 2007
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- Ranking of Mining- Impacted watersheds in the Sierra Nevada Province of the California Bay-Delta Authority Watershed Source: CA Department of Conservation, 2003
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- Hiller Tunnel, draining the pit, discharging during 2012 rain storm into Humbug Creek Humbug Creek discharging into the Yuba River. Mercury travels on suspended sediment to the delta
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- Hydraulic Mining debris in the Bear River above Combie Reservoir
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- POLICY OPPORTUNITY New focus on removal of mercury contaminated sediments while expanding water storage capacity SB 1259 (Pavley) to study sediment in reservoirs/water bond dialogue Rollins Reservoir, choked with Hydraulic mining debris November 2013
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- Join our Campaign to from the Sierra to the Sea
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- Elizabeth Izzy Martin [email protected] (530) 265-8454 x11 www.sierrafund.org