Number: 1980-29
WHEREAS, the San Pedro River in Arizona and Mexico is threatened by pollution from the copper smelter at its headwaters at Cananea, Sonora, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, this pollution has caused a total fish kill in portions of the river with a kill-off of other aquatic life and probable harm to both wildlife and domestic livestock and, possibly, to humans; and
WHEREAS, the pollution has resulted in changes in the riverbed in parts of the river which will not allow recharge of the aquifer in the area nor allow aquatic life to return;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1980, in Miami Beach, Fla., hereby urges the U.S. Government to encourage the Republic of Mexico and the Anaconda Corporation, as soon as possible, to take the necessary steps to solve the San Pedro River pollution problem on a permanent basis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization asks for a continual monitoring of the quality of water in the San Pedro River by both the U.S. Government and the State of Arizona.