Document 5gEdZEJGZxk3xe4mxogRyLQ8

BIOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS Water Pollution - Water Quality - Biological Surveys Fiiliery Biology Royal D. Buttku*. Rm. D. 7se humi Tatar NtW ORLEANS. LOUISIANA 7011S RHONE. >101 Gerald E. Gunning. Pm 0 sot 49TH STREET METAIRIE. LOUISIANA 70001 EHONIi April 2, 197Jt Hr. Paul E. Helalar Environmental Manager W. 0. Krunmrioh Plant Monsanto Company Sauget, Illinois 62301 Dear Mr. Helslert On Friday, Maroh 29, Mr. Edward E. Stewart and I discussed the possibility of my group oonduotlng a flabary survey of Choceoloooo Creek, Shoal Creek and the Coosa River, Alabama, with respect to P.C.B. residues In the fishes. * Dr. Suttkue and I have done blologloal consulting for Monsanto Company for many years. Most recently we did a two-year survey of the above men tioned streams which amounted to eight quarterly trips with collections of fishes at ten different locations on the streams. This study was completed in December, 1972, although some of the data Interpretation extended into calendar year 1973. What we are proposing at the present time Is s single trip to the above streams (locations listed below In detail) to oollect fishes that can be turned over to you for residue analysis. In essence the trip would be a follow-up trip for the completed survey and the results of the 1971* trip would be compared with past data to determine whether or not the residue levels have decreased in the Interim since the final trip to the area which wss made In September, 1972. The data obtained from the proposed trip would be used by your company In a predictive way so that you might gain some Insight as to what one could expect to happen to P.C.B. residues In the Mississippi River below your plant. Of the eight survey trips we made to the Choccolocco Creek area, seven were made when P.C.B. effluent wbb still entering the oreek to some degree from the Anniston, Alabama plant) only one was made after complete stoppage of effluent Into Choccolocco Creek. There was a significant drop In residue levels In the fishes after curtailment of the P.C.B. discharge at Anniston, and we would hope that the proposed trip will show further decreases. Consultants agree to oonduct the proposed trip according to the methodology employed In the past work. We would colleot some 500-1000 fishes at ten stations In the drainage as follows! MGNS 093352 1. Shoal Creek, Tributary to ChoocoXooco Creek, 2.3 miles east of White Plains, Alabama. 2. Choceolocoo Creek at Highway 9, 1 mile south of White Plains, Alabama, designated as Pish Station 3 in the completed survey. 3. Choccolocco Creek, Pish Station 7 of completed eurvey, Martha H. Williams Bridge, Highway 95>. It. Choccolooco Creek, ddslgnated Fish Station 8 in oompleted survey, 3 miles south of Interstate 20, Highway 93 . 5. Choocoloooo Creek, designated Fish Station 10 in oompleted survey, High way 77 Bridge 6. Cheaha Creek, Tributary to Choocoloooo Creek, 3.6 rallee south of Interstate 20, Highway 93 - 7. Cane Creek, Tributary to Coosa River, 8.6 miles north of Lincoln, Alabama. 8. Aker Creek, Tributary to Coosa River, 6.6 miles north of Lincoln, Alabama. 9. Coobs River at Stemley Bridge (Logan Martin Reservoir), Highway 31i 10. Clear Creek, Tributary to Coosa River (Logan Martin Reservoir), Highway ti2 The fishes collected at the 10 stations would be iced down and returned to New Orleans for freezing. After 2-3 days they would be shipped by sir to you for P.C.B. analysis. I have discussed the details as to what analyses should be run with Mr. Stewart. Subsequently, you would provide me with the residue data for biological Interpretation of the results. Concomitant with the collection of fishes for residue analysis we would preserve a representative sample of fishes at each of the ten stations for an lohthyologlcsl survey of the area so that in the future we could Indeed substantiate the presenoe of the species far which P.C.B. analyses were made. These fishes would be identified, tabulated, catalogued, and placed into our permanent collection for future use by Monsanto (Krummrleb) at your direction. They would not be made available to anyone else unless specifically authorised by you personally. After residues had been determined and the flah specimens destroyed, the ichthyological eurvey woild constitute proof of our activities in the drainage as outlined above. Thie is standard pro cedure on our pert in suoh eurvey*. In eummary, the outline ot the proposed eurvey would be ae follows> Phase 1--Consultant* oollect fishes at ten altea. Fishes are identified and tabulated in the field and packaged in aluminum foil by epeelea and station location; aub-aaiqplee and sample peeks for each station are clearly labeled to avoid confusion of the samples. lead samples ere returned to Hew Orleans for freezing and are then shipped to Mr, Helsler for analysis for P.C.B s. Phase 2___Consultants complete ichthyological survey at the time fiehna for residue analysis are collected. These fishes are fixed in 101 formalin and subsequently proaorved permanently in hOX isopropyl aloohol in Individual glass Jars. Each epooles at aaoh station la kept separately and permanently eetelogued into the fish collection. MONS 093353 w--f*T hv... xtsi phase 3--"-Monsanto personnel complete the residue data analyses In succeeding weeks and turn residue data over to Dr. Gunning and Dr. Suttkus for further interpretation from the biological point of view. Consultants will indicate 60-80 lots that should be analyzed for P.C.B s. Phase It--Dr. Gunning and Or. Suttkus submit a final report on the residue data , to Mr. Helsler including comparison with past'work done for Monsanto Company. : - Cost of the survey for biological consultants to do the above worki A. Billing after oompletion of Phase It Dr. Oerald E. Gunning, Consulting Fee Dr. Royal D. Suttkus, Consulting Fee Graduate Student #1 Oraduets Student 2 Jar fc preservative allowance for fishes Total $ 1500.00 $ 1500.00 300.00 300.00 200.00 $ 3800.00 Expenses Expenses include travel (2 vehicles at 12#/mlle), actual motel expenses for field crew of four men, and air transportation of specimens to St. Inula for residue analysis. / B. Billing after completion of Phases 2, 3 and lit Dr. Oerald E. Ounning, Consulting Fas Dr. Royal D. Suttkus. Consulting Fee $ 500.00 500.00 Total S'TOOO.OO"' Total cost of survey--$W00 expenses as outlined above. Wo are prepared to do this survey either during the months of May or June, 197b. If there are any questions about the propoael, please let us know. Thank you very ch for your consideration. Very truly yours, /fcL*ju_ c Corn Id E. Ounning, Ph.D. Royal D. Suttkus, Ph.D. Blologloel Consultants gag MONS 093354