Pesticide Spill in Sacramento River

The pesticide spill once again proves that all of us do indeed live “downstream.” Each of us, if only emotionally, will be affected by the disaster. We are a society addicted to toxics.

The Sacramento River spill is killing an entire ecosystem. Plant, animal, and insect life is being annihilated.

The toxic pesticide metam-sodium is sterilizing a habitat which will take a generation to recover. People and businesses dependent upon that habitat for both livelihood and pleasure will suffer greatly. In all probability, the toxin will contaminate both the drinking water at Lake Shasta and underground aquifers. Cleanup of the river will cost in the millions.

We in the environmental community have called for a phase-out of such toxic chemicals. Certainly, we have the technical capacity of producing environmentally benign alternatives. To date, unfortunately, we have lacked the political willpower to do so. If our President and Congress cannot provide the leadership to do this, then perhaps our governor and state Legislature can. By calling for the immediate reduction of these toxic pesticides, California would set a much needed standard for the nation.

ROBERT H. SULNICK, Executive Director, American Oceans Campaign, Santa Monica