Our Nasty Impingement
May 16, 2011
By Karl Wickstrom
Unknown to nearly everyone, billions of our favorite fish are getting impinged.
Billions more are entrained.
No fish hooks or nets involved.
Impingement and entrainment.
These are the twin killers in a silent scandal we explore this month in a conservation feature that should trigger corrective actions.
Some insiders tell us that the impingement/entrainment slaughter is the power industry's dirty big secret, a stupendous overkill that is glossed over with slick public relations, "good neighbor" campaigns and sheer complexity.
In essence, the 27 "once-through" cooling systems in Florida suck in billions after billions of gallons of life-rich coastal water, use it to cool down boiler water and then expel it back into nature, warm and sans life.
One source estimates that the power-company killing of potential animals rivals the entire quantity of sealife taken for food and sport by all citizens.
"Well, so what?" may be a typical reaction. "We all have to have power, don't we?"
It is that essential nature of power that tends to shield the industry from close inspection. We just gotta have electricity, no matter.
That pervading defensive posture is a dang shame, especially for those who love marine life, because there are important steps that could stop the overkill, as you'll note in the investigative article by Editor Jeff Weakley.
Of course, it should also be acknowledged that power companies and their regulators have addressed the impingement/entrainment problem to some extent, however late and limited.
Also this month, Editor Weakley leads us along an intriguing path of content over our 35 years. It's a hopscotch trek through the annals of Florida Sportsman that's likely to bring back your own memories of happenings on the outdoors scene.
So much has changed, so much is the same.
Our years of acceptance and growth have been possible only because of a dedicated and talented staff that now is as strong as ever. To them, past and present, I tender my warmest thanks and commendations.
The same thoughts extend to our loyal and responsive readers.
They are in the end the foundation for it all.
