Discovery Rotting fish to be removed:
Salmon can survive dams: The federal government ruled Monday that the last wild Atlantic salmon in the country can coexist with hydroelectric dams on a Maine river, dealing a blow to environmentalists who have long sought to remove the dams.
The salmon, once abundant in the US, now return to only a few Maine rivers. One is the Kennebec River, dammed by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday that the dams are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the salmon if conservation measures are taken.
Conservation measures along Brookfield’s four Kennebec dams are designed to improve fish passages and will require an investment of more than $100 million by Brookfield, NOAA said. The dam upgrades would allow the salmon to swim up the Kennebec from the Atlantic Ocean to freshwater inland habitats for the first time since the construction of the dams in the 19th century, the agency said.
The agency reviewed the dams because Brookfield is seeking to relicense one of them and amend the licenses for three others, said NOAA spokesperson Allison Ferreira. NOAA said in a statement that it will “oversee an extensive monitoring program to ensure that the dams meet the expectations of improved fish passage in the Kennebec River.”
NOAA’s opinion “is an important milestone in ensuring that these facilities can continue to support Maine’s clean energy future and traditional industries along the lower Kennebec River,” said David Heidrich, a spokesperson for Brookfield. (AP)
Contractors are being hired to remove millions of rotting fish from a river in the Australian Outback after a unprecedented die-off following floods and hot weather, police said on Monday.
The fish started dying in the Darling River near the New South Wales town of Menindee on Friday. Officials say the die-off likely occurred because fish need more oxygen in hot weather, but oxygen levels in the water dropped after recent floods receded.
Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree said keeping the town’s water supply pure was the main priority and removing the dead fish was the next most pressing issue. Trained contractors had been contacted about removing the fish with nets, but dates for the work haven’t been set.
“I’m certainly not making promises that all the millions of fish will be removed by contractors because that is really a logistical nightmare,” Greentree said.
“I understand and acknowledge the smell and sights on the river - nobody wants to see that,” he added.
Authorities were supplying potable water to residents who rely on river water, which was continually being monitored for quality, Greentree said.
Mass fish kills have been reported on the Darling River in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of fish were found at the same spot in late February, while there have been several reports of dead fish downstream toward Pooncarie, near the borders of South Australia and Victoria states.
Enormous fish kills also occurred on the river at Menindee during severe drought conditions in late 2018 and early 2019.
Greentree said the current death toll appeared to be far larger than the events in 2018 and 2019. (AP)
8 sickened after eating pot:
Eight children were sickened at a Los Angeles school after eating marijuana gummies, authorities said.
Paramedics were called to Sun Valley Magnet School shortly before 1:30 pm and evaluated the children, who ranged from 12 to 16 years old, the Fire Department said.
They fell suddenly ill after eating the pot-laced candies, authorities said.
All were conscious and breathing. Three were released to their parents and five were taken to local hospitals but there was no immediate word on their conditions. (AP)