The Sierra Fund, a non-profit foundation focusing on environmental conservation in the Sierra Nevada region, has just released a report addressing Gold Rush-era mining contamination of California's land and water. The Fund presented its findings to scientists and experts from state, local and federal agencies at the State Capitol last Tuesday. The presentation included an overview of health and environmental concerns caused by toxins such as mercury and lay out future strategies for cleanup.

The Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and the Natural Resources Committee have legal jurisdiction over land and water in California, said Elizabeth "Izzy" Martin, chief executive officer of the Sierra Fund.  Gold miners used mercury to extract gold from mined materials and then discharged the waste into streams, where it accumulated in the sediment. Many bodies of water in Gold Mining regions – including areas of Amador County - contain high amounts of mercury. Though elemental mercury poses little risk to humans, excessive can cause damage to the nervous system of developing children, according to health experts. The report is now available to the public. For more on the Sierra Fund’s findings, visit their website at www.sierrafund.org.