The Sierra Fund CEO Elizabeth Martin and Science Director Dr. Carrie Monohan are testifying at the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing “Mercury Contamination: Toxic Legacy of the Gold Rush” on Monday, March 24. The hearing will begin at 1:30 pm in the California State Capitol, Room 447.

The DRAFT agenda for the hearing follows. The agenda is subject to change.

Mercury Contamination: Toxic Legacy of the Gold Rush – DRAFT Agenda

Monday, March 24, 2014, 1:30 p.m.
State Capitol, Room 447

I. Impact on Public Health and the Environment

  • The Sierra Fund – Carrie Monohan, Science Director
  • California Indian Environmental Alliance – Sherri Norris, Executive Director
  • Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake – Paula Britton, Environmental Director
  • Elem Indian Colony – Thomas Brown

II. Defining the Problem and Effective Solutions

  • U.S. Geological Survey – Charles Alpers, Research Chemist, California Water Science Center
  • U.C. Davis – Dr. Fraser Shilling, Department of Environmental Science and Policy

III. State Government Entities Working on the Issue

Potential speakers:

  • State Water Resources Control Board – Vicky Whitney, Deputy Director, Division of Water Quality
  • Department of Toxic Substances Control – Stewart Black, Deputy Director of the Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program
  • Department of Conservation – Mark Nechodom, Director

IV. New Ways of Addressing the Issue and Next Steps

  • Sierra Nevada Conservancy – Joan Keegan, Assistant Executive Officer
  • Nevada Irrigation District – Remleh Scherzinger, General Manager
  • The Tuleyome – Bob Schneider, Senior Policy Director
  • The Sierra Fund – Izzy Martin, Executive Director