Who owns our Legislators?

Submitted by WhitesCreek on June 3, 2009 - 2:51pm.

Apparently not the voters...

Testimony fron Dr. Dennis Lemly to the TN House Committee...

Misinterpretations of previous research bias EPA’s draft selenium criterion toward overestimating the safely tolerable tissue-based number. Technical analysis reveals that the proposed 7.9 ug/g value would allow up to 85% of fish and aquatic birds to be poisoned. Although a new study (McIntyre et al.) has sought to refine the toxic tissue threshold for selenium, major differences in study design and conditions resulted in significant underestimation of the toxic threshold compared to Lemly’s more comprehensive study. Therefore, attempts to validate the 7.9 ug/g criterion value or adjust it upwards based on results of McIntyre et al. are scientifically unjustified. It is my professional opinion that a fish tissue standard for selenium should not exceed 5.0 parts-per-million on a whole-body, dry weight basis if an EC20 level of protection is desired for sensitive species such as bluegill and largemouth bass. If complete protection is desired, then the standard needs to be set at 4.0 parts-per-million

I HAVE ALREADY SENT THE NATION ARTICLE TO THE COMMITTEE THAT DID NOT RECONSIDER AFTER HEARING DR..DENNIS LEMLY BUT WILL SEND ANOTHER MISSILE. PLEASE CONSIDER THE TESTIMONY AS IT RELATES TO MINING AND ASH.

Urge your Representative (and any others that you may know) to vote no on HB 1204 right away. The bill may be voted on tomorrow morning! This is the
selenium bill which would allow more contaminants in our waters.

The bill will apparently be on the House of Representatives calendar
tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 9:00 for discussion and vote. The House
Calendar committee today set the bill for action in the morning on a close
6-4 vote with Camper, Odom, Hardaway and Kernell voting against it. Earlier today, in spite of persuasive expert testimony against this bill in House Conservation & Environment committee, only 3 members of that committee voted to reconsider their earlier action in approving it. McDonald, Kernell and Borchert voted no. We know many other representatives plan to join them in rejecting this bill, but we don’t know if enough will vote no to defeat it.

Your contacts could make the difference on this unnecessary and dangerous
bill.

I don’t suggest a long call or email, as time is of the essence, but for
those interested in the details, I have attached the testimony of Dr. Dennis
Lemly.

Stewart Clifton 2115 Bernard Ave. Nashville TN 37212 615-305-2946
stewartclifton@comcast.net sclifton@tals.org www.stewartclifton.com

Technical question...
Submitted by RoaneBooster on June 3, 2009 - 3:07pm.

I understand concentrations and such expressions fairly well, with a chemistry and medical background.

But what is ug/g?? I recognize the "u" as the transliterated version of the symbol for "micro." But this abbbreviation would mean "micrograms/gram" and as such is nonsensical. There are a million micrograms in a gram, no more no less. Just like there are a thousand milligrams in a gram.

???

RB

WhitesCreek's picture
To simplify...
Submitted by WhitesCreek on June 3, 2009 - 3:09pm.

Selenium is an interesting metal which is needed is small amount for good health, but which kills beyond a certain threshhold. According to the TDEC analysis Watts Bar Lake fish are hovering around 5 micrograms per gram of tissue. At 5.8 micrograms Dr. Lemly saw nearly half of juvenile fish die. For a healthy lake we need the level to be at 4 micrograms.

The only studies contradicting Dr. Lemly are those performed by coal company sponsored researchers, using improper methodology.

Unfortunately for us, Dr. Lemly's testimony was presented as if he were facing a scholarly gathering, when he was (duh) talking to a group of Tennessee Representatives. He was trying to tell them the sky was falling and unfortunately for us a majority of the committee heard a foreign language. Representative Mike McDonald jumped over a high bar to help us save Watts Bar Lake. Now it's up to us.

Call Dennis Ferguson (615) 741-7658 and keep it short. Ask him to please not turn his back on Roane County and the major part of our economy and jobs that are dependent on Watts Bar Lake and to vote NO on House Bill 1204.

Thanks, WC
Submitted by RoaneBooster on June 3, 2009 - 3:30pm.

That helps immensely. 5ug per g of TISSUE. In a non-explained context that kind of number didn't mean much.

RB

"Who owns our Legislators?"
Submitted by loveofcountry on June 3, 2009 - 9:46pm.

"Who owns our Legislators?" Who owns and controls our local elected officials in our county government and cities? Not that we would do it but names could be named by many. Former Judge Austin could have been named many times over, but the system became the system for years on end. Who was there to boost constructive criticism? Who will venture out to boost the answer of who owns who? Do the voters really own anyone?

Bills like this make politics look so dirty.

No thanks required, I offer my opinion for free.

farmer leaf's picture
I heard the suggestion
Submitted by farmer leaf on June 4, 2009 - 12:12am.

that our legislators should wear NASCAR type jumpsuits when they are in session. That way we will know who their corporate sponsors are without having to follow the money trail.

Makes sense to me.

Living and teaching Earth friendly sustainable agricultural practices.

That is funny, but also a
Submitted by loveofcountry on June 4, 2009 - 8:10am.

That is funny, but also a great thought. We should make a jacket or two to take down to Nashville starting with Ken.

You know it is the funny side of news that is drawing in the younger generation too. Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert's shows are the news source for that demographics. The hummor also can breakdown some barriers on issues, then they can be seen clearer without their protective clothing.

That'd good!
Submitted by RoaneBooster on June 4, 2009 - 10:19am.

I like that idea!

RB

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