1. Mercury: From the Sierra to the Delta… and beyond! Izzy Martin The Sierra Fund

2. We do this through: The mission of The Sierra Fund is to increase and organize investment in the natural resources and communities of the Sierra Nevada. Water Bond Mining Law Reform Fiscal Sponsorships Donor-Advised Funds Litigation Loans Addressing impacts of legacy mining

3. Detail from Brass Seal West side of Capitol: Miner and Mercury Flask

4. Mining left a lasting legacy from the Sierra to the Sea

5. Champion Mine (had 4 mercury retorting sheds) Circa 1890 The mine tailings were discharged directly into Deer Creek, outside of Nevada City, CA

6. More than 96% of the total mercury loading to the Bay-Delta comes from the streams and rivers of the Sierra Nevada and the Inner Coast Range (Wood et al., 2010). Figure From: SWRCB April 23, 2014 Mercury Programs Update

7. Map of Abandoned Mines in California California Department of Conservation 2007

8. Ranking of Mining- Impacted watersheds in the Sierra Nevada Province of the California Bay-Delta Authority Watershed Source: CA Department of Conservation, 2003

13. Hiller Tunnel, draining the pit, discharging during 2012 rain storm into Humbug Creek Humbug Creek discharging into the Yuba River. Mercury travels on suspended sediment to the delta

14. Hydraulic Mining debris in the Bear River above Combie Reservoir

15. POLICY OPPORTUNITY New focus on removal of mercury contaminated sediments while expanding water storage capacity SB 1259 (Pavley) to study sediment in reservoirs/water bond dialogue Rollins Reservoir, choked with Hydraulic mining debris November 2013

16. Join our Campaign to from the Sierra to the Sea

17. Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin Izzy.Martin@sierrafund.org (530) 265-8454 x11 www.sierrafund.org