The Sierra Fund’s outreach strategy for 2013-14 includes an informational community meeting in rural Sierra communities that are facing the ongoing impacts of legacy mining. The goals of these meetings are to inform and involve local residents about the threat posed by abandoned mines and methods to protect themselves and their families from further exposure.
Three public events have been held to date, in Nevada City, Foresthill and Quincy. The presentation at each meeting was tailored to the the history and relevant sites near that community.
Presentations
Each meeting also included a general presentation by our Science Director Dr. Carrie Monohan of The Sierra Fund’s original research about exposure pathways to legacy mining toxins including mercury in fish, and arsenic, lead and other heavy metals found around historic mine sites. This research consists of two studies:
- Gold Country Angler Survey (2011)
- Gold Country Recreational Trails and Abandoned Mines Assessment (2010)
Additionally, guest presenters were featured, who provided more in-depth information about pertinent mine sites near the community, or about medical studies. Guest presenters have included mercury researchers at the US Geological Survey, abandoned mine lands specialists at the US Forest Service, and tribal health experts from the California Indian Environmental Alliance.
Meetings Held
Click the links below for details about each meeting, including links to the materials presented:
- Nevada City meeting, November 4, 2013
- Foresthill meeting, February 20, 2014
- Quincy meeting, April 3, 2014
The Sierra Fund is pleased to share the expertise and resources we have collected around this issue, however we have a policy to not host a public meeting in a community without being invited in by a local organization or agency. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact Amber Taxiera at 530-265-8454 ext. 216.
See Also:
Angler Survey Project – The Sierra Fund’s study to learn about mercury exposure potential from eating locally caught fish
Trails Assessment Project – The Sierra Fund’s study to learn about exposure potential from recreating on trails that go through historic mine sites
Fish Consumption Advisories – State-issued fish consumption advisories for lakes, reservoirs and rivers in California
Health Outreach Program – The Sierra Fund’s campaign to bring information about public health exposures to legacy mining toxins to rural Sierra communities, and the doctors and nurses who serve them
Fish Consumption Advisory Posting Project – The Sierra Fund’s project to post fish consumption advisories at public fishing locations in the Sierra
Mercury Trainings for Healthcare Professionals – The Sierra Fund’s program to educate regional doctors about mercury in the human body, and how to talk to their patients about eating fish
