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o t;..-.) 1" (;"J '-::.t;.Jl o. ....1-> -"-~J VJ.. .lJ.ve~'s ecosystem d~~~~g~~ce,caution The latest finding by researchers studying lation plunged as dams altered river /lows the San Juan River ecosystem suggests that throughout the West. Some A-LP support- oil and gas development in the Colorado' ers rail that livelihoods and economic deve!- Plateau may indeed be hanning /ish in the opment should not be held hostage by two river, but probably not as direclly as had obscure .fish. But the fish are really indica. bf~n thought. The /inding makes ,the. tors of environmental change. Even people attempt to assess ,blame for the decline of who don't believe species are worth.!qving , ~vo endangered ~sh more complex than for their oWn sake ought to consider the ever. reasons some species are threatened. Those Tests have focused on whether polycyclic reasons could have implications that go well aromatic hydrocarbons, which come from beyond the species themselves. The govern- oil and gas wells, are to blame (or precan- ment-sponsored research now under way cerolls mutations and lesions in the tissues can shed light on these causes and eIrcclS. of some fish. So far, the evidence indicates Another lesson is that ecosystems are [he levels of PAHs are too low to be toxic. fragile and complex. When human activity The findings 5lIpport the industry's con- interferes with ecosystems, unexpected tention that PAHs bind tightly to dirt and do results may occur. Identifying the otTending not move far from leaking oil and gas wells. activities requires good science, and good That still-preliminary..conclusion tepre- science involves diligence and caution. sents a significant. advance in our. under- Accusers should marshal their evidence standing oC the ri"er. But it does not settle before setting out to blame oil and gas the maller. nle same biologists say fish drillers for contaminating water with PAHs could b~ ~etting sick.from a combination of or fanners. for contaminating watenvays pollutants, including selenium, arsenic and with selenium. heavy metals, that appear to come from Once the evidence is gathered, govern- soils along the Animas, La Plata and San menc, industry and individuals need to lis- Juan rivers. The scientists believe selenium, ten to it and respond appropriately. If sci- a toxic element abundant in San Juan ini. ence is to be applied meaningfully, the rec- gadon, return water, could be compoU:nding ommendations of ,biologists and other 1Ii881H!:ts ~lo\v1pAf:I'r<<tV~li(jfi~Iih ra:Me.-;sMi3W~~ onf4l3rs.ofi,research must.be ~T.IY,~'6~~ ml:ta& .in.ItHe!ri~ ~ab re~c;t. ~e&"tet{o~ w~lgnr: 'Dlarltappeile'd h~le'r with PARs: Sonie fish larVae appear to get this year when proponents of the Animas- . sick when dumped into a soup of water with La Plata Project, seeking to overcome long-- contaminants typical of those found in the standing environmental objections, set a San Juan. , ' .' : ' 0 ' new annual depletion rate Cor the Animas One lesson- to draw from lhis research is of 51,700 acre-feet - the maximum allowed that the Endangered Species Act is not the under a biological~ opinio~ i~sued by the evil monster opponents maktdt out to be. U.S. Fish,and Wildlife Semce 1111991. The research.is taking place in response. to Research into the San Juan River ecosys- the act, whiah requih:s a'-program to help tem should continue with all deliberate the Colorado squawfish .and the razorback speed. It is worthwhile work. The fish are "liCker, twO warm-water natives whose popu- worth the effort So are the rest oC ll5. ., .::.q ~.