Clam Task Force

The EPA agreed to clean up Nahant Marsh in 1999. It was estimated that the clean up would cost $2,000,000. The water level had to be lowered to remove lead pellets so a pipe was used to drain the marsh until a pump was required. Once the water level was low enough they brought in an excavator and excavated and hauled the soil to a stockpile area where it dried out and was hauled to the landfill. In order to render the metal insoluble found in the soil a phosphate-based stabilization chemical was mixed into the soil. After the soil was treated it was removed and then the ground was graded and smoothed so grasses could be

: Larchwood Lake may not ever be the same again. The story about Larchwood Lake is not that uncommon. Without doing extensive research into possible things that could occur by lowering the lake level, the Larchwood Lake Homeowner’s Association destroyed the very thing they were trying to protect. Carelessness and poor planning are not the only root causes however. There are a number of reasons that led to the degradation of Larchwood Lake that happen to relate to more macro level environmental issues. Those reasons are poorly designed environmental policy created by the E.P.A., poor understanding of lake ecology by the managers of the land, and false confidence in poorly planned ideas. By looking at how these factors contributed to the degradation of the lake, hopefully we will be able to make more ecological sound decisions in the future.

The water and soil contamination is a result of Green Monster, Inc. was a result of gross mismanagement. Of the 551 barrels of benzene waste taken in by Green Monster, 549 were unaccounted for leaving uncertainty of disposal. In 1973 10,000 gallons of benzene containing soil was improperly disposed of by moving to a nearby unlined lagoon. Before closing workers noted repeated spills in the closed loop benzene processing line due to inadequate maintenance.

The southern portion is being cleaned up by the Air Force under Superfund. The reason the northern portion of the base is being clean up under the Safe Drinking Water Act is because it is currently still being used for training by the Army. The Air Force no longer uses the southern portion for training purposes. There are 10 major plumes of concern. Each site has been contaminated by chemical/fuel spills, fire training activities, landfills, and drainage structures.

More than 24 billion gallons of untreated sewage waste and storm water are pumped into the lakes annually. Pollution is increasing as well, due to the cottage development, where people enjoy spending their summers relaxing. For many years, the lake habitats have been affected by pollution and habitat destruction. The market for fish is tremendous; so much so, that we have depleted our fishing resources, and have had to market on invasive species.

Back in the 1960’s, Lake Erie was declared “dead” because, ironically, it was full of life – just not the right kind (GLIN, n.d.). The algal blooms that formed due to high concentrations of nutrient-loaded city street run off invaded the freshwater lake, killing native species, reducing oxygen quantities, and smothering beaches with its slime (GLIN, n.d.).

In this research paper I will talk about how a large decrease in the algae population in the Chesapeake Bay will cause problems for not just fish and other species but the people who fish and make a living off of it. A large decrease in algae population will have a domino effect on the food chain. Having a major decrease in algae will hurt how others species live and protect themselves.

A new lake, one that was in all respects mini Lake Powell. With Red Sand Stone cliffs, and beautiful red sand beaches this new lake had all of the qualities of Lake Powell. In Addition to the lake there are massive sand dunes that attracted 4-wheelers, Jeepers, Campers, and Hikers. In short all kinds of people were flocking to the New Park that was closer to St George than the 2.5 Hour Drive to the much Larger Lake Powell. Quickly a few problems surfaced, the largest of which was trash. People would bring sack lunches or dinners to the lake and enjoy them on the sandy beach, but when it came time to leave the sac they brought it in broke and they would often leave the trash on the beach. The Park struggled to manage the problem, Paid Staff and Volunteers where brought in multiple times a week to try to clean the beaches. This is where my Eagle Project came

There is a population of more then eight million residents in this region and millions more congregate there every year for recreational purposes (Tedesco). The commercial opportunities of the Long Island Sound are vast. It has been estimated that about ?$5 billion is generated annually in the regional economy from boating, commercial and sport fishing, swimming, and beach going? (Long Island Sound Study). There are many other benefits from the uses of the sound, cargo shipping, ferry transportation, and power generation are just a few of them. In addition, recreational and commercial fishing provides a generous living in the Sound. Shell fishers bring in plentiful harvests of clams, oysters, and lobsters from the waters. The ideal clamming conditions provided by the sound are world renown. These conditions provide Long Island residents with an essential economic resource (Tedesco). The Long Island Sound provides some crucial components for these Long Island residents that it is considered among the most important and valuable estuaries in the world. Moreover, it has been remarked ?The Long Island Sound?s intrinsic value as a natural value and a natural resource is worth protecting and preserving for future generations? (Long Island Sound Study).

Studies have repeatedly shown that as oxygen concentrations decrease, the abundance and diversity of fish decrease (Breitburg). Fish kills, in which large numbers of dead and dying fish float to the surface or wash onto shore, are probably the most dramatic and publicly visible manifestation of hypoxia and nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters(Breitburg). In addition to mass mortalities that are easily observed, high mortality of fish lacking a swim bladder can occur leaving little or no visible evidence of fish at the surface or littering beaches (Breitburg). With no fish, shrimp, or crabs the Louisiana fishing market takes a huge hit that the economy feels in a major way. The gulf accounts for almost one-fifth of the countries fishing landings, which total to be three billion dollars (Petrolia). Fishing is not only a major part of Louisiana’s economy but also its culture. Without wildlife in our waters microorganism are given more opportunity to grow leading to bacteria infected waters. These bacteria infected waters could cause major health risks for those who come in contact with

In response to invasive species threats, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment and Transportation developed the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan. Its objectives are to prevent new intruders from disembarking and subsisting in Ontario, to reduce and reverse the extent of remaining invasive species and decrease its damaging impacts. Ballast water is a well-known source for the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Canadian water bodies. In response, Canada and the United States placed strict regulations governing ocean-going ships and their ballast water. For example, requiring inspection and the flushing of tanks with salt water before entering other waterways. Collectively,

completed to determine if there are any toxins or contaminates in the area that need to be cleaned

On December 8, 2004, more than 300,000 gallons of heavy bulked fuel leaked from the ship wrecked Selendang Ayu, a Malaysian freighter, and washed ashore on the beaches of Skan Bay and Makushin Bay of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands (Ritchie & Gill, The Selendang Ayu Oil Spill: A Study of the Renewable Resource Community of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, 2006, p.1). Dutch Harbor is the number one port for crabbing, processing plants, and fisheries of halibut, pollock, and cod. The port employees several of the inhabitants. The Coast Guard along with contracted officials implemented and begin executing a plan for cleanup. Meetings were held between the Unified Command and the community to inform them of the plan of action that was being taken to protect their revenue and restore their beaches. The natives of the island offered several suggestions for cleanup and felt unacknowledged about their concerns and offers to help. The Unified Command continued recovery efforts as originally planned and assured the community that the oil would not reach the shore. After a few weeks tar balls began to wash ashore, raising concerns of the residents. More meetings with the community were held eventually leading the UC to utilize

In Canada, the Grand Banks habitat is in “environmental degradation” (Connor and Taitano) due to bottom trawlers tearing up the sea floor displacing and destroying the vegetation at the seafloor and therefore disrupting the habitat of the small fish the cod prey upon (Connor and Taitano). Bottom trawls also disrupt the “breeding patterns of the cod.. Damaging fertilized eggs.. And greatly reducing the amount of young born” (Connor and Taitano). In the United States, the Gulf of Maine provides evidence of a loss of the young and old cod due to predation (Connor). Farming atlantic cod, like many fisheries are doing to replenish the atlantic salmon populations, have resulted in a breakout of the disease Yersiniosis (Connor and Taitano).The disease affects the fish’s intestinal tract before spreading throughout its body. The mortality rate with this disease is low, about 5%, however the illness prevents the affected cod from being sold at a market due to health violations (Connor and

The damage caused by the spill is almost immeasurable; ecological, political, economic, social it almost devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast fishing and tourism industries. Even in January 2011 a report was made by oil-spill experts from the University of Georgia stating that tar balls continue to wash up on beaches, collect in shrimp nets, kill marsh grass, and even undegraded oil in the seabed (Dykes, 2011). It will likely be years, if not decades, before the final assessment of damage, short-term and long-term, is accurately noted from this disaster.