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Michigan species affected by power plant emissions

The common loon is one of nine Michigan species vulnerable to mercury poisoning and other toxins from power plants
Andrew Reding
/
flickr
The common loon is one of nine Michigan species vulnerable to mercury poisoning and other toxins from power plants

The National Wildlife Foundation has released a report on Michigan wildlife hurt by power plant emissions.

The report says nine species in the state are affected by power plant toxins.  Mercury  is the most dangerous toxin for some species, including the large-mouth bass and the common loon.  

Lee Sprague is on the Tribal Council of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.

"What we do know with mercury it really affects all life systems, from the very base of the food chain all the way up."

The report comes as Congress talks about weakening the Clean Air Act as part of the budget negotiations. The Clean Air Act regulates power plant emissions. Sprague continued,

"We know that unless we take serious action this problem will continue to decimate the very people, the animals all the birds, all the fish, the things that we share this earth with."

Other species named in the report include the American black duck, walleye, and moose.

Sarah Alvarez-Michigan Radio News

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