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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2000)
Page 16 The INDEPENDENT, November 1, 2000 E x t e n s i o n f o r s t u d y o f c h e m i c a l h o r m o n e d i s r u p t i o n in s t u r g e o n Pacific University Professor Deke Gunderson, director of the University’s environmental studies program, has received a two year extension to contin ue his study of endocrine dis rupting chemicals in white stur geon of the Columbia River. Gunderson’s $60,000 grant is part of a $350,000 commit ment from the United States Geological Survey and the En vironmental Protection Agency to study the impact of chemi cals on the white sturgeon. In collaboration with researchers at Oregon State University and Portland’s Department of Envi ronmental Quality, Gunderson is examining reasons for the white sturgeon’s population de cline. “We suspect that one prob lem is the hormone-mimicking properties of certain chemi- cals,” said Gunderson, whose specialty is environmental toxi cology. The sturgeons may be mistaking chemicals for hor mones, leading to reproductive problems and suppression of the immune system, among other problems. While a faculty member at the University of Southern Indi ana, Gunderson found fish in the Ohio River were “loaded with pesticides not used in a F a m i l y c a t s h o t in V e r n o n i a ; v a n d a l s s t r i k e a g a i n A cat owned by Carol Brown, a resident of Washington Av enue, was shot with a .22 caliber bullet Oct. 18. In spite of a veteri narian’s efforts to save her, the cat died two days lat er. curred late Oct. 27 or early Oct. 28, when all of the decorative hanging baskets on the Rock Creek bridge were torn off and thrown into the creek. Five of the eight baskets were recov ered but were badly damaged. The baskets are provided by volunteers with Vernonia Pride. least 20 years.” In the Colum bia River, he similarly finds sturgeons with a chemical called DDE, a derivative of DDT, which has not been used for 25 years. “The white sturgeon is not considered endangered in the Columbia yet,” said Gunder son, “but there are certainly in dications that they might be in trouble. They’re definitely ex posed to chemicals and have been exposed for a long time. The next step is to see how particular chemicals are affect nority of individuals, but their acts are noticed and despised,” Walters added. • R e d i- M ix C o n c re te • R e s id e n tia l, C o m m e rc ia l, I n d u s t r ia l Those with information re garding these crimes are urged to contact the police depart ment. The phone number is 503-429-7335. “There is no gain to persons who commit these crimes,” Vernonia City ordinance pro hibits discharging a weapon said Vernonia Chief of Police within the City limits and state Jim Walters, “except for some law specifies that intentionally type of warped self-satisfac killing an animal is Aggravated tion. There is certainly no mon Animal Abuse I, a Class C etary gain when committing Felony that is punishable by up vandalism. to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine. “We all know these crimes Another senseless crime oc- are committed by a small mi ing them.” Endocrine disruption, the fo cus of this particular research project, is one of the primary signs of pesticide poisoning. The white sturgeon is particu larly vulnerable because fe males do not reproduce for at least the first 20 years of their lives. “In other words,” said Gunderson, “they have to sur vive 20 years of exposure to chemicals before they can re produce.” At that point, the sturgeon eggs are frequently contaminated with pesticides. • A s p h a lt P a v in g o f a ll ty p e s Pick up • D riv e w a y s , P a rk in g L o ts a n d R o a ds The INDEPENDENT in your mailbox for just $12 per year. 44 Yrs. o f Q u a lity Service! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! FREE ESTIMATES Call 429-9410 or see us at 33485 E. CROWN ZELLERBACH ROAD. NORTH CITY LIMITS OF SCAPPOOSE, HWY 30 725 Bridge Street 1 Service Directory ___ TO N EY JO H NSO N C O N S T R U C T IO N Specializing in Remodel & Repair ¡^ £ 3 ^ DRYROT DRYWALL TILE, VINYL ROOFING Vaughns N E H A L E M VALLEY P U M P C O . 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