A coalition of Wisconsin's environmental, conservation, and fishing groups had petitioned the DNR to enact mercury pollution control standards.  This petition has led to the proposed regulations, which if enacted, would make Wisconsin the first state in the country to try and rein in what is a national toxics problem.

"I am quite please that the [proposed] regulations are as strong as they are," says Mark Looze, of Wisconsin's Environmental Decade.  Looze also represents WED on the WSN steering committee.  Looze says that the DNR "used sound science" in crafting the regulations.

The mercury in our lakes and fish comes from a variety of sources.  High mercury levels in otherwise pristine northern lakes indicates the importance of mercury fallout from the air.  The contamination starts at the smokestacks of coal-burning power plants, waste incinerators, and factories which are among the largest sources of airborne mercury releases.

Mercury is a neurotoxin, meaning that it harms the brain and nervous system.  Small children and especially fetuses are the most at risk for damage from mercury poisoning because their brains are still developing.  Numerous studies warn that pregnant women who eat fish from high-mercury Wisconsin waters could have children with reduced or delayed development in the areas of memory, language, and coordination depending on the amount of fish eaten.

Mercury can also harm wildlife, particularly creatures that feed on fish laced with the poison.

The state's mercury advisory guidelines kick in at 5 parts per million in fish.  No cooking or filleting techniques can remove the very tiny yet very dangerous levels of mercury from fish flesh.

The DNR, according to Looze, has identified several technologies which can be used to lower mercury releases from smokestacks.  Their preferred alternative is a sorbent technology which injects carbon into a power plant's combustion zone.  Its pollution muting effect would cost the typical ratepayer about 90 cents a month, estimates the DNR.

The biggest coal plant polluting Wisconsin waters with mercury is the Pleasant Prairie power plant in southeastern Wisconsin.  It releases 500 pounds per year.  In Barron County, the municipal incinerator pumps 150 pounds of mercury into the atmosphere.  Wisconsin's top polluter is the Vulcan Chemical Company at Port Edwards, which releases a whopping 1000 pounds a year into the air.

Looze is concerned about two aspects of the DNR's plan.  It allows trading between polluters of clean-up credits.  A major polluter can buy the clean-up efforts undertaken by other emitters to meet a portion of their own requirements.  Looze thinks this may need some rethinking.  He also would like the DNR to speed-up the 15 year, 90% reduction timeline by making polluters accomplish the goal in 10 years.

Looze acknowledges the power of the broad based coalition seeking to make Wisconsin's fish and waters healthier and safer.  Environmental groups have had regular contact with the DNR about the problem and have had an impact.  But, he notes, "at the end of the day, the phone calls and faxes from hunting and fishing organizations have been very effective" in moving DNR officials to act.
 

• Visit the DNR's mercury information page.
• View the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's story.