Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun
Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.
Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.
CLF’s top dog calls for action on toxic pollution that can kill dogs and sicken people
“Every time it rains, a toxic stew is running into three of the area’s most iconic rivers,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “We’ve repeatedly asked the EPA to clean up this pollution, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. It’s time for the agency to hold these large properties accountable for the constant damage they’re doing to our cherished rivers.”
“Sewage and harmful pollutants are leaking from this wastewater plant directly into nearby estuaries, bays, and streams,” said Christopher Kilian, Vice President of Strategic Litigation at CLF. “For too long, Town officials have skirted legal requirements and taken no action to prevent nitrogen pollution and protect the Cape’s waters. The area’s water pollution crisis demands action now.”
“Pollution from the state’s Powder Mill hatchery continues to poison the Merrymeeting River,” said Kenta Tsuda, CLF Staff Attorney. “It’s time the state is finally held accountable for undermining the river’s ecosystem and imperiling public health. The court’s ruling is an important step forward in cleaning up and protecting this river once and for all.”
“This is proof positive of what CLF has been saying for months: the state is severely degrading the Merrymeeting River,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “Pollution from the Powder Mill hatchery is causing toxic algae blooms, preventing use of the river during summer months and imperiling public health. The state must put an end to this illegal pollution and clean up the mess it has made.”
In the last couple of weeks, the news has reported tragic stories of healthy dogs dying shortly after swimming in toxic algae-choked waters. These stories highlight the dangers of the algae pollution problem here in Massachusetts, where dog owners have been warned to keep their pets out of waters across the state. This is one of many reasons why CLF is fighting so hard to clean up our waters.
Vermont is more than halfway through this legislative session, and there is still no clear path for funding. Our legislature has promised to fund clean water initiatives for years, yet they have kicked the funding can down the road again and again.
Vermonters are concerned about the health of Lake Champlain. Whether you’ve got five minutes, an hour, or more, you can get involved in clean water advocacy to help the lake.
Decades ago, Fred Quimby taught his children how to fish and canoe in Jones Pond near his home in New Durham, New Hampshire. But this year, Fred had to go someplace else to teach his grandchildren to fish. That’s because Jones Pond, part of the Merrymeeting River, has suffered yet another outbreak of cyanobacteria –… Continue reading Protecting New Hampshire’s Rivers and Lakes from Toxic Blue-green Algae