Toxic Sludge is Good for Fish

The Army Corps of Engineers’ is dumping toxic sludge into the Potomac River, which is a designated American Heritage river. According to an internal Environmental Protection Agency document, fish are not being harmed because the sludge causes them to flee the area. That way, they escape fishermen too, so, according to the EPA, toxic sludge is actually good for fish. The document says it is not a “ridiculous possibility” that a discharge “actually protects the fish in that they are not inclined to bite (and get eaten by humans) but they go ahead with their upstream movement and egg laying.”

Congress isn?t convinced, however. “To suggest that toxic sludge is good for fish because it prevents them from being caught by man is like suggesting that we club baby seals to death to prevent them from being eaten by sharks. It’s ludicrous,” says Rep. George P. Radanovich, who is chairman of the subcommittee on national parks, recreation and public lands. “This is one of the most frightening examples of bureaucratic ineptitude and backward logic I have ever seen.”

The Corps began the toxic sludge dumping in 1989 under a permit issued by the EPA, but the permit expired in 1993. The Corps was allowed to continue dumping anyway, until a new permit was issued in March. The Corps dumps 200,000 tons of toxic sludge into the river every year in violation of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

If the public buys the concept that toxic sludge is good for fish, they may try to convince us that having no health insurance is not a problem for millions of Americans and run-down, dangerous, ineffective schools are actually good for students. Or wait?they?ve already tried that, haven?t they?

Wish you knew more about what really goes on in the government? If you think you?re not getting the whole truth, Kristina Borjesson, author of ?Into the Buzzsaw,? will tell you why,click here.

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