Photo Credit: Alex Milan Tracy
By: Juan Monje, Community Organizer
We want to share important reminders about the fish consumption advisory near Bonneville Dam and why cleaning up toxic pollution in this area remains so important.
Health agencies warn that resident fish caught between Bonneville Dam and Ruckel Creek in Oregon, and near the North Bonneville / Ft. Raines Treaty Fishing Access Site in Washington, should not be eaten due to high levels of toxic contaminants, especially PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and mercury.
PCBs are long-lasting industrial chemicals that remain in river sediments and build up in fish such as bass, carp, catfish, and crappie. When people eat these fish, the toxins can accumulate in the body and cause serious health impacts.
This advisory is a reminder that toxic pollution around Bonneville Dam still affects the Columbia River today.
Columbia Riverkeeper is working with Tribes, community members, and partners to ensure a strong cleanup of PCBs and other contamination in this area.
We urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate its cleanup efforts and fully address the toxic pollution near Bonneville Dam.
Together we can restore the health of the Columbia River.
