Mercury: From the Sierra to the Delta… and beyond!

Mercury: From the Sierra to the Delta…

and beyond!

Izzy MartinThe Sierra Fund

We do this through:

The mission of The Sierra Fund is to increase and organize investment in the natural resources and

communities of the Sierra Nevada.

Strategic CampaignsAdvocacy Philanthropy

Water BondMining Law Reform

Fiscal SponsorshipsDonor-Advised Funds

Litigation Loans

Addressing impacts of legacy mining

Detail from Brass Seal West side of Capitol:

Miner and Mercury Flask

Mining left a lasting legacy from the Sierra to the Sea

Champion Mine(had 4 mercury retorting sheds)Circa 1890

The mine tailings were discharged directly into Deer Creek, outside of Nevada City, CA

More than 96% of the total mercury loading to the Bay-Delta comes from the streams and rivers of the Sierra Nevada and the Inner Coast Range

(Wood et al., 2010).

Figure From: SWRCB April 23, 2014 Mercury Programs Update

Map of

Abandoned Mines in

California

California Department of Conservation2007

Ranking of Mining-Impacted watersheds in the Sierra Nevada Province of the California Bay-Delta Authority Watershed

Source: CA Department of Conservation, 2003

Mine Hot Spots: Malakoff Diggins State ParkHumbug Creek Watershed Assessment

Hiller Tunnel, draining the pit, discharging during 2012 rain storm into Humbug Creek

Humbug Creek discharging into the Yuba River. Mercury travels on suspended sediment to the delta

Hydraulic Mining debris in the Bear River above Combie Reservoir

Reservoir Sedimentation: Combie Project, Nevada Irrigation District

POLICY OPPORTUNITY

New focus on removal of mercury contaminated sediments while expanding water storage capacity

SB 1259 (Pavley) to study sediment in reservoirs/water bond dialogue

Rollins Reservoir, choked with Hydraulic mining debrisNovember 2013

Join our Campaign to

from the Sierra to the Sea

Thank You!Elizabeth “Izzy” MartinIzzy.Martin@sierrafund.org (530) 265-8454 x11www.sierrafund.org