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Concern Over Mercury In Oregon Rivers

BLM/Wikimedia

The Rogue River looks pristine in many places, but looks are deceiving. 

The Rogue, the McKenzie, and other Oregon rivers may be added to a list of streams bearing high levels of mercury.  In some of the native fish, though generally not the water.And the listing would likely result in restrictions on the eating of fish from the Rogue, though likely not salmon and steelhead. 

We talk to Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality about the sources of mercury, and the approach to cleanup. 

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Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.