Number: 2001-08
WHEREAS, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a synthetic industrial chemical that were used in capacitors and lighting ballasts because of their stability and durability and high level of inflammability; and
WHEREAS, PCBs and their organochloride byproducts include dioxin and are known carcinogens and last year were named to the World Health Organization’s “Dirty Dozen” that lists the most dangerous toxins; and
WHEREAS, PCBs persist in the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissue of mammals and have been linked to breast cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, brain cancer, malignant melanoma, and soft tissue sarcoma in humans and birth defects, sterility, and degradation of the immune system of humans and wildlife, and the uses of PCBs were banned in the United States in 1977; and
WHEREAS, a two hundred mile length of the Hudson River was declared a Superfund site as a result of the PCB contamination; and
WHEREAS, PCBs are still entering the Hudson River water column from contaminated sediment, contaminated soil, and from the riverbank; and
WHEREAS, New York State has banned all commercial fishing with the exception of bluecrabs and shad since 1976, has advised that no fish taken from the Upper Hudson be eaten, and warned women of child bearing age and children not to eat any fish from any part of the Hudson River as a result of PCB contamination thereby virtually eliminating the $40 million commercial fishing industry and diminishing recreational activities including hunting and fishing; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conducted scientific and technical analyses over a period of two decades and has concluded that targeted dredging of the most polluted sites in the river is the most effective means to reduce the amount of PCBs that are continuing to enter the Hudson River; and
WHEREAS, the EPA has looked at several options ranging from no action to an option that would result in the elimination of fish consumption advisories in the quickest amount of time, eleven years; and
WHEREAS, the EPA has extended the public comment period to April 17, 2001 to better assist it in determining the most appropriate action;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation at its Annual Meeting assembled April 4-6, 2001 in Washington, DC, respectfully requests the Congress of the United States and the Executive Branch to refrain from taking any action to postpone or countermand the EPA order to begin targeted dredging; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the EPA and the Administration to proceed with the most aggressive EPA plan to enforce the clean-up of PCBs from the Hudson River.