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DEQ.utah.gov -Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The Official Web site of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2002

Contacts:
Utah Department of Environmental Quality:
Dave Wham, (801) 538-6052

Fish Advisory Issued for American Fork Creek

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in conjunction with the Utah Department of Health and Utah County Health Department, is issuing a fish consumption advisory for brown and cutthroat trout from the North Fork of American Fork Creek.

Due to elevated arsenic levels in the fish meat, adults should limit their consumption of these trout to no more than one meal per month. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under age 12 should avoid eating any trout from the creek.

Results of a risk assessment show that eating more than one meal per month over a long period of time could result in an intake of arsenic that exceeds EPA health standards. Any health risk associated with eating the contaminated fish is based on long-term consumption and not tied to eating fish occasionally. No known illnesses have been associated with consuming trout from the creek.

This advisory does not specifically include rainbow trout harvested from Tibble Fork Reservoir and from the North Fork of American Fork Creek below Tibble Fork Reservoir.

Arsenic occurs naturally at low levels in our environment. The arsenic in American Fork Creek is believed to have come from both natural and past mining-related sources in American Fork Canyon. The USDA Forest Service plans to begin removing mine waste-related pollution sources this summer.

Fish consumption advisory signs will be posted at parking areas and river access points along the river. In addition, information about the advisory will be distributed at the USDA Forest Service fee station in American Fork Canyon.

DEQ, Utah Department of Health and Utah County Health Department will continue to monitor arsenic levels in the fish and water. The advisory will be updated as needed based on additional information.

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