[CPEO-MEF] PFAS, BIOTA: "Eielson AFB-Area [AK} Waters To Open For Catch-And-Release Fishing"

[Lenny Siegel <LSiegel@cpeo.org>]

Eielson AFB-Area Waters To Open For Catch-And-Release Fishing

Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
April24, 2023  


(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is continuing catch-and-release restrictions in several Eielson Air Force Base area water bodies contaminated with PFAS. The water bodies include Bear, Moose, and Polaris Lakes, Bathing Beauty Pond, Piledriver Slough, and Moose Creek. The emergency regulations are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 1 through June 30, 2023.

In 2019 and 2020, surface waters from Bear, Moose, and Polaris Lakes and Bathing Beauty Pond exceeded current EPA and DEC action levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). High surface water concentrations can result in the bioaccumulation of PFAS in fish tissues to levels that may be unsafe for consumption. Therefore, Bear, Moose, and Polaris Lakes, and Bathing Beauty Pond are being restricted to catch-and-release fishing out of an abundance of caution. Stocking has been discontinued in these lakes, but they may still contain stocked species as well as northern pike. Catch-and-release allows some fishing opportunity while preventing public health issues by prohibiting the retention and consumption of these fish.

In 2021, fish and water tested from Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek were determined to be contaminated with PFAS. Portions of both Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek are within or immediately downstream of the known groundwater contamination plume associated with Eielson Air Force Base. To be consistent with the precautionary approach that has been used on contaminated stocked water bodies in the area, Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek are restricted to catch-and-release fishing for all fish species.

…

For the entire release, see
https://aksportingjournal.com/eielson-afb-area-waters-to-open-for-catch-and-release-fishing/

—

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
A project of the Pacific Studies Center
LSiegel@cpeo.org
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650-961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org
Author: DISTURBING THE WAR: The Inside Story of the Movement to Get Stanford University out of Southeast Asia - 1965–1975 (See http://a3mreunion.org)

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