University of Southern Maine

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Congressman Joins Environmental Leaders to Discuss Mercury Pollution in Maine

March 22, 2005

Representative Tom Allen will join state environmental leaders at a public forum hosted at the University of Southern Maine to discuss the latest comprehensive findings on mercury pollution in North America.

"Mercury Pollution in Maine: How It's Affecting You and the Wildlife You Love" will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 29 at the Glickman Family Library on USM's Portland campus. The forum will provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about mercury pollution in northeastern North America, which scientists recently discovered is more extensive than previously believed.

During the forum, BioDiversity Research Institute Founder Dr. David Evers will present the coalition's latest findings on mercury pollution. The coalition's latest report, titled "Mercury Connections," is a summary of major findings in a series of 21 papers documenting the extent and effects of mercury pollution in freshwater ecosystems in northeastern North America. The comprehensive identifies nine biological hotspots of mercury pollution in the northeast, including four in Maine.Ê

Brownie Carson, executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Kevin Carley, executive director of Maine Audubon, and other wildlife advocates and policymakers, including Rep. Allen, will discuss ways to reduce mercury pollution in our region.

The event is free and open to the public. The forum is co-sponsored by BioDiversity Research Institute, Maine Audubon, and Natural Resources Council of Maine, and hosted by University of Southern Maine.

Editors Note: For more information about the forum, visit www.maineaudubon.org or www.maineenvironment.org, e-mail jlavin@nrcm.org or call 1-800-287-2345 x243.

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