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### U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

## News Release June 13, 2008

Steps Taken to Address Selenium Concerns at Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area News Releases Home Page
Search the News Releases U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home


### Contacts Georgia Parham 812-334-4261 x 203 Bill McCoy 812-749-3199

Following discovery of elevated levels of selenium in the water and aquatic life at Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Indiana, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist s have begun employ ing management actions designed to discourage endange red least terns and other migratory birds from nesting on the refuge. On May 20, 2008, the Service received water data indicating levels of selenium may be harmful to nesting birds. Test results received on May 27 showed selenium levels in fish that, if ingested by birds, may be harmful to egg development. As a result, Service biologists decided to immediately stop the flow of water from Gibson Lake into Cane Ridge and to discourage least terns from using Cane Ridge, draw dow n the Cane Ridge ponds, and remove p otentially contaminated fish. Service biologists have placed flags to discourage least terns from nesting at Cane Ridge. As the water is drawn down, fish will be removed from the p onds. Once the water is fully drawn down, bi ologists will disc the soil on the b ottom of the ponds to redistribute selenium in the soil, allowin g for a return Page 1 of 2 6/13/2008~Steps Taken to Address Selenium Concer ns at Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area

1/13/2009 htt p ://74.125.95.132/search? q =cache:W7VeIk6cQI8J:www.fws. g ov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm

...to active nesting next year. Cane Ridge has proven to be an extrem ely attractive habitat for least terns and other nesting migratory birds. The Se rvice will continue to work with the many partners who have committed ti me, money and other resources to creating the area which has been name d an Audubon Society Important Bird Area. According to the Service’s Bill McC oy, who oversees Cane Ridge, “We are confident that we can use an alternate water source for the area to provide habitat for migratory birds next year. We will continue to work with Duke Energy and our many other partners to en sure Cane Ridge continues to be a safe place for both pe ople and wildlife.” Though the public is still allowed to visi t the observation sites at Cane Ridge, the low water levels may be disappoin ting to bird watchers. Ideally, the displaced birds will locate to the st ate-built Tern Bar Slough nesting pool a quarter-mile east of Cane Ridge. As a reminder, the public has never been allowed access to or fishing in th e Cane Ridge nesting island pool. The mission of the U.S. Fi sh and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildli fe, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American peopl e. We are both a leader and trusted p artner in fish and wildli fe conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural re sources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the p eople who make it happen, visit http://www. fws .gov

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