HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07081986 - WC.1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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FROM: WATER COMMITTEE
DATE: JUNE 30, 1986
SUBJECT: POLLUTANTS/TOXICS IN BAY/DELTA FISH
Specific Requests or Recommendations & Bia—&—gr--o-und Justification
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. AUTHORIZE the Chairman to sign a letter to the State Department of Health Services and
the State Department of Fish & Game requesting an investigation of the health effects of
eating sturgeon from the Bay/Delta estuary, as recommended by the Fish & Wildlife Study
Committee.
2. AUTHORIZE the Chairman to sign a letter to the State Department of Health Services to
take a more active role in warning people about the health effects of eating fish caught in
the Delta.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
1. The Fish & Wildlife Study Committee heard a presentation from a representative of the
State Department of Fish & Game at their June 5, 1986 meeting concerning sturgeon in the
Bay/Delta estuary. The Fish & Wildlife Study Committee has concerns that no studies on the
level of toxics and pollutants in the flesh of sturgeon have been done with respect to
human consumption of sturgeon. Striped bass have been studied extensively in this regard.
The Fish & Wildlife Study Committee is especially concerned about sturgeon because they are
bottom feeders and some pollutants tend to concentrate on the sediment of the estuary.
Sturgeon also have long lives which enhance bio-accumulation of pollutants. The Fish &
Wildlife Study Committee recommends that the Department of Health Services and the Department
of Fish & Game conduct a study on sturgeon to identify toxic and other pollutants that may
be harmful to humans through ingestion of sturgeon flesh as well as being harmful to the
fish itself. A program similar to the investigations into pollutants in striped bass would
be appropriate.
Continued on attachment: X yes Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other:
Signature(s): G � Z
Supervisor unne c eaSupervisor om Torlakson (Alternate)
Action of Board on: y 6 Approved as Recommended ----Other
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
Attested
Orig. Div.: Community Development PHI BA ' HELOR, C E K
cc: County Administrator OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY
Fish & Wildlife Study Com. via CDD ADMINISTRATOR
County Dept. of Health Services
By
POLLUTANTS/TOXICS IN BAY/DELTA FISH
June 30, 1986
Page 2
2. On June 3, 1986, the Board referred to the Water Committee a recommendation from
Supervisor Fanden that the Board urge the State Department of Health Services to take a
more active role in warning people that fish caught in the Delta are found to contain high
levels of mercury and, therefore, should not be eaten. There have been several studies on
certain species, especially striped bass, that have identified toxics and other pollutants
at a high level in these species. Reports have been published and there have been newspaper
accounts, but there has been no systematic program for warning the public of these dangers.
It is appropriate for the Board of Supervisors to send a letter to the State Department of
Health Services expressing the need for better public notification of the hazards of eating
Delta fish.
DBOcl
wc.bo.pollutants.t6