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Recent Resolution by New England Governors Paves the Way for Further Reductions in Mercury Emissions and Exposures Another milestone has been reached in our collective quest for the virtual elimination of mercury from human activities and reducing human and wildlife exposures to mercury, thanks to the recent release of the National Academy of Sciences report (see www.nap.edu) on the "Toxicological Effects of Mercury," the coordinated efforts of many and the release of the National Wildlife Federation's New England "Clean the Rain" report and which released new data revealing dangerous mercury levels in rain falling over New England (9/19/00). The recent adoption by the New England Governors of a new resolution on mercury reduction strategies goes well beyond the commitments made with the eastern Canadian premiers last summer, and mirrors many of the recommendations contained in a letter from over 20 environment and health organizations from both the US and Canada called NAME, the Northeast Alliance for Mercury Elimination that was sent to the NEG/ECP JUST prior to the Halifax meeting. Provided below is a summary of the key components of the New England Governors resolution, which indicates their support for the following: 1) by one year from now, at the next New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers annual meeting in the summer of 2001, establish new, more aggresive targets for reducing anthropogenic mercury releases by 2010; 2) recommend that each state work with its legislature to pursue aspects of the NEWMOA model mercury legislation; 3) in recognition of new information, instruct their respective agencies to consult and best coordinate public health consumption advisories for mercury that address both freshwater and saltwater fish, and 4) work to ensure that large quantities of stockpiled or recovered mercury are permanently retired in a manner that avoids reintroduction of the mercury back into commerce or the environment. The New England Governors mercury resolution also paves the way for our support of model mercury legislation that goes well beyond the Northeast Waste Management Officials (NEWMOA's) model mercury legislation contained in the more comprehensive Model Mercury Act drafted by the Mercury Policy Project. It also sets the stage for a renewed efforts next year to push the Canadian premiers and NE governors into commiting to do more and serves as an example of the critically important need to addrss both the mercury stockpile issue and warn pregnant women about exposure risks of consuming certain saltwater fish (seeMPP's recent report, "The one that got away", findings that FDA is neglecting its responsibilities to adequately test and warn the public about high levels of mercury in seafood.) For more information, contact:
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New England Governors, Inc. RESOLUTION NUMBER__ A RESOLUTION OF THE NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE, INC. REGARDING MODEL MERCURY LEGISLATION WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) has worked aggressively to reduce the release of mercury into the environment through adoption and implementation of its 1998 Mercury Action Plan; and, WHEREAS, the NEG/ECP is well on its way to meeting the 50% reduction goal outlined in the plan before the target date of 2003, and that a sustained, coordinated effort continues to be necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of "virtual elimination of anthropogenic mercury" releases into the environment, including the identification of other potential sources or mercury releases and their appropriate controls, and, WHEREAS, the New England states each have freshwater fish consumption advisories and recent information suggests a parallel need for salt-water fish advisories for certain species of fish; and, WHEREAS, at its Halifax meeting of July 18, 2000, the NEG/ECP (Resolution 25-11) adopted a statement of principles regarding effective management of mercury in products and in the wastestream and encouraged coordinated action; and, WHEREAS, the New England states are uniquely suited to implementing certain aspects of the plan on a coordinated basis that strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of each state's individual actions, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the New England Governors' Conference, Inc. acknowledges the need for and benefits of coordinated legislation in the management of mercury containing products, and recommends that each state commit to working with their respective legislatures in the upcoming session in pursuit of those aspects of the Northeast Waste Management Official's Association model legislation that are appropriate for each state and that will best advance a coordinated approach in support of our joint regional efforts, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in an effort to continue toward the goal of "virtual elimination" of anthropogenic mercury as expeditiously as possible, the NEGC directs its Committee on the Environment and the New England members of the NEG/ECP Mercury Task Force to work with their Eastern Canadian counterparts to evaluate new reduction targets beyond the 50% reduction by 2003, and to report to the next meeting of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers about specific targets and timelines to be achieved between now and 2010; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New England Governors will instruct their respective responsible agencies to consult about fish consumption advisories to best coordinate their efforts to address both fresh-water and salt-water species included in such advisories; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that consistent with the New England Governors' Conference's letter to President Clinton dated May 10, 2000, the NEGC directs its Committee on the Environment and the New England members of the NEG/ECP Mercury Task Force to make every effort to work constructively and efficiently with industry, EPA, ECOS and other state and federal agencies as needed to ensure that large quantities of stockpiled or recovered mercury are permanently retired in a manner that safely and securely avoids reintroduction of that mercury into the marketplace or, potentially, into the environment. This resolution is effective immediately. ADOPTION CERTIFIED BY THE NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE, INC. ON September 22, 2000. ___________________ Argeo Paul
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