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<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Klamath River</span></font></b></st1:place><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'> algae levels increase</span></b> <br>
Ann Johnson-Stromberg <br>
Eureka Times Standard <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>KLAMATH
-- The Yurok Tribe and the Humboldt County Environmental Health Department are
warning tribal members and recreational users of the <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath
River</st1:place> about the dangers of toxic algae. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>New tests
from <st1:place w:st="on">Iron Gate</st1:place> and Copco reservoirs have
indicated a possible health risk and on Wednesday tribal members were issuing
written warnings to reservation villages along the river. New toxin levels have
yet to be determined, but according to Troy Fletcher, interim executive
director of the Yurok Tribe, rashes and illness have been reported by tribal
members. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Animals
and children seem to be particularly susceptible to the effects of blue green
algae and as a precaution the tribe is recommending pets and children not swim
in the river. As this is the height of salmon season, they are also asking
fishermen to clean fish with fresh water and to dispose of the innards away
from the river or where animals could eat them. Some fish organs seem to retain
the algae toxins. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Fletcher
said he met with environmental health representatives, the health department
and 1st District Supervisor Jimmy Smith in an effort to shore up support in
getting the word to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>”Toxic
algae levels at these reservoirs are the highest levels that have ever been
sampled to my knowledge, and we all know water flows down stream,”
Fletcher said. “That certainly has an impact on the river water quality
below the hydrofacility and it concerned us enough and Karuk Tribe enough to
notify the county.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If
children or animals do go in the water, Environmental Health Department
Director Brian Cox said they should avoid the stagnant, warmer waters where
algae blooms are prevalent, and rinse off with fresh water afterwards. Health
risks when exposed to mycrosystis, the toxic strain of blue green algae
include: vomiting, rash, diarrhea, stomach cramps and liver problems. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Several
years ago dogs had reportedly died after exposure to the algae in the South
Fork of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Eel</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Big Lagoon. Reservoir algae
levels so far are much higher than those tested in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Eel</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
and Big Lagoon after the animals died, Cox said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>”In
some cases animals were dying within 24 to 48 hours of exposure, in others it
was within just a few hours,” Cox said. “Blue green algae is a
complicated little creature and we just don’t know enough about it
yet.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For now
Fletcher said the tribe will continue to monitor the river and work with local
authorities to keep the public abreast of new developments. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>”We
need to insure there is adequate and timely sampling,” he said. “On
the longer term we need to work together to address the larger water quality
problems of the hydroelectric facility.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For more
information about algae risks call the Department of Health and Human Services
Environmental Health Division at 445-6215. <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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