Gas Additive Pollutes Water
MTBE

Does not mean More Time Bassfishing for Enjoyment.

It stands for Methyl tertiary butyl ether. It is an oxygenate added to reformulated gasoline to reduce air pollution, but it is polluting drinking water in almost every state in the nation.

As reported on 60 minutes, 21 states have had wells shut down due to MTBE groundwater contamination.

• 10 gal. Of reformulated gasoline has 1 gal. Of pure MTBE.
• 5 million gal.of water, Would be contaminated to an undrinkable state by 1 cup of MTBE
• Nobody is required to test for MTBE and nobody knows how to clean it up.
• In 1987 an EPA memo stated; 4 states and 20 thousand people were affected. It also stated that this problem would increase as the use of MTBE increases in gasoline.
• Everywhere MTBE is used it will become a problem for ground water.
• Potential damages across the country could run into the billions of dollars.
• The Federal government and the Oil Companies have known since the 1980's that MTBE has been contaminating ground water, yet virtually nothing has been done to examine health consequences or learn the extent of the problems associated with MTBE.

In 1986 the Federal Scientific Committee urged the EPA to give "priority consideration" to MTBE as a drinking water pollutant. Finally in 1989 the EPA listed MTBE as a priority for regulation" because of the potential for widespread contamination" by the" high risk chemical" People in California are loosing drinking water sources daily. Governor Davis of California has banned MTBE in the state of California. New York has identified some 1500 sites, 400 of them on Long Island alone. 3 million people will have no alternative source of water.

In the fall of 1997, Tosco Corporation, the nations largest independent refiner,says MTBE

Should be quickly phased out due to potential for drinking water contamination.

In 1998 the University of California study commissioned by the state legislature says MTBE is not needed to clean air and should be eliminated from fuel.

We in the state of West Virginia do not have a very good record when it comes to the environment and big business. It seems like, when other states pass laws and enforce them, businesses move into WV. We either don't have a law against what they do or we don't enforce the laws we do have. MTBE is something we don't need. Please urge your legislators to look into the MTBE problems and avoid potential drinking water contamination in West Virginia. This is our home and we don't have to put up with pollution of our water. Senator Jeffrey Kessler from Marshall County has introduced a Bill to prohibit the use of MTBE as an additive in gasoline in West Virginia. The bill Number is SB441. Let's get behind him an get rid of this potential danger to our children and grand-children.

A new courtesy dock has been installed at the Daniel Boone ramp in Charleston
It was a long time coming but I hope you all enjoy it. We also have a new Ohio River biologist. His name is Chris O'Bara, from what I have been told he has everything in motion to help solve some of our problems on the river. More details will follow on Chris.
The Ohio River Fisheries Management Team is soliciting comments from Ohio River Anglers about their proposed plan. The plan can be seen on the Federation Web Site.

Comments should be sent to Frank Jernejcic, WV DNR, 1304 Goose Run Road, Fairmont,WV 26554.