Friday, February 4, 2005

Audubon, MROSD, mercury ...

Lots of news to blog about!



The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society has announced their new Executive Director, Brenda Torres. CGF works extensively with Audubon and we welcome Brenda to the neighborhood. She is replacing outgoing E.D. Craig Breon, who will be greatly missed.



A new guidebook to MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, "Peninsula Tales and Trails" was reviewed in the Palo Alto Weekly by Acterra Executive Director Michael Closson. "Tour de force" is the summary. CGF advocacy helped protect many of the properties now managed by MROSD, and CGF support helped establish MROSD itself, so the guidebook is a welcome new publication.



On the national stage, the New York Times reports on disputes regarding control of mercury pollution in the United States, much of which comes from coal burning. The quote at the end states "Nearly every state in the country has issued fish consumption advisories due to mercury-poisoned waters." This includes reservoirs in our region, such as the Stevens Creek Reservoir. The nearby Hanson Quarry burns coal to power its cement plant. CGF recently met with Hanson staff who doubt their plant is responsible for Stevens Creek, pointing out that mercury is found naturally in the area. We will keep watching this issue.



-Brian

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