"FRONTLINE: Poisoned Waters"
More than three decades after the Clean Water Act, two iconic waterways—the great coastal estuaries Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay—are in perilous condition. With polluted runoff still flowing in from industry, agriculture, and massive suburban development, scientists fear contamination to the food chain and drinking water for millions of people. A growing list of endangered species is also threatened in both estuaries. As a new president, Congress, and states set new agendas and spending priorities, FRONTLINE correspondent Hedrick Smith examines the rising hazards to human health and the ecosystem, and why it’s so hard to keep our waters clean.
Watch the full program online at www.pbs.org/frontline/poisonedwaters
What can people do now to help Puget Sound
Host a Viewing
1000 copies of "Poisoned Waters" will be available for local groups to host viewing events. DVD's should be available after June 30, 2009. If you are intersted in hosting an event in your area, please send an email to pugetsoundinfo@psp.wa.gov, titled "Host a Viewing" with the following information:
- Name of organization
- Contact name
- Contact phone
- Contact email
- Contact address
- Viewing date
- Viewing time
- Viewing venue
- Venue address
- Available seating
Showings
No showings are scheduled at this time
Additional Information
Several programs and organizations are mentioned throughout the documentary that can help inform and be used as models in Puget Sound recovery. They include:
Piedmont Environmental Council
A strong regional grassroots organization has developed effective political strategies for enhancing environmental protection and for mobilizing public engagement to limit and control aggressive and eco-harmful development.
Waterkeeper Alliance (international)
This alliance based in the Hudson River Valley but with riverkeepers and soundkeepers in place on waterways all across the country, has developed a network and a set of strategies for confronting polluters who flout the laws. It has empowered grassroots activists to have impact and influence on water pollution, watershed by watershed.
Tysons Corner Task Force
This Fairfax County, Virginia, group has developed a new development strategy around rapid transit systems to reduce traffic congestion and pollution that is worthy of study by the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.
US Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
The U.S. Geological Survey has developed significant data on the wave of emerging contaminants now endangering America’s drinking water supplies all across the country.
Smart Growth America
A coalition of national, state and local organization's working to improve how we plan and build the towns, cities and metro areas we call home.
Healthy Watersheds, Healthy People
Our future is linked to the health of our watersheds - and our watersheds have many challenges. You can make a difference. (Washington Department of Ecology Environment Education Guide)
Banner photo courtesy of FunnyFence, L.Feist, Puget Sound "Silent Crisis" Flickr Group