CSPA, Coalition Oppose Reduction in Grasslands Selenium Monitoring

The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and a coalition of fishing and environmental organizations sent an 11 August 2001 joint letter vigorously opposing efforts to reduce monitoring of selenium and other contaminates discharged from the Grasslands Bypass Project.  Earlier this year, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that it would no longer conduct water quality monitoring at 12 sites.  The discharge of these contaminates threaten populations of salmon and steelhead in the San Joaquin River, as well as waterfowl and wildlife in the area’s state and federal wildlife refuges.  Selenium concentrations in the San Joaquin River frequently exceed levels toxic to juvenile salmon.  The coalition urged an increase, not a decrease in monitoring.   Coalition Letter