10A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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STATE
ENVIRONMENT
MONDAY, AUGUST 15.2005
Lake under study
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RIVERTON — Scientists are analyzing sediment taken from Empire Lake to determine how mining fields in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri might have affected the water.
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey will examine a core sample taken from the lake to determine how much lead and zinc has been deposited in the sediment over the years.
John F. Miesner, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the lake might be dredged if the analysis showed the sediment was heavily contaminated and a threat to aquatic life.
"What we need to understand first is the extent and magnitude of the problem," said Miesner, who gathered with representatives of the Geological Survey
Miesner noted that it wouldn't be sensible to dredge Empire Lake if lead and zinc continued to seep into Spring River, which starts in Missouri and flows into Kansas before entering Oklahoma.
near Lowell Dam on Tuesday to explain core sampling and how the study might affect cleanup of abandoned lead and zinc mining sites. "After we know that, we can look at the options, which could include dredging."
The Environmental Protection Agency has a $67 million plan to clean up the most troublesome southwest Missouri sites, though cleanup could be years away.
Biologists have found that some aquatic birds, such as mallards, have been affected by pollution in the lake. Some birds died because of too much exposure to zinc and other heavy metals.
Scientists already have examined streambed sediment at 87 sites in the Spring River and Tar Creek watersheds. Tar Creek starts in Kansas and flows into Oklahoma.
The sampling of streambed sediments revealed lead concentrations as high as 7,400 parts per million and zinc concentrations as high as 45,000 parts per million. The concentrations were heaviest in streams near extensively mined areas.
Natural background concentrations for lead should be about 20 parts per million, according to the Geological Survey. It should be less than 100 parts per million for zinc.
Mike Pope with the Geological Survey said the sediment study should be finished by the end of next year.
Political ad sparks debate
STATE GOVERNMENT
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOPEKA — State Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs is the target of Republican criticism for a new advertising campaign that warns Kansas consumers about getting bilked by shady investors.
Biggs, a member of Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius administration, called it a campaign to protect Kansans. Republicans called it a shameless political promotion.
"Our message is simple: 'Don't get scammed'," Biggs said.
The ads are being aired on radio and television statewide to raise awareness of securities fraud. In the TV commercial, a man agonizes over losing his shirt in an illegal investment scheme.
Biggs then appears on camera, warning, "Call our office and investigate before you invest."
He announced the campaign
Wednesday at news conferences in Wichita and Topeka.
"It's blatant campaigning at the expense of the state. We know it. He knows it. There's lots of frauds and scams out there. I'm not certain he didn't just perpetrate one," said State GOP Chairman Tim Shallenburger.
In 2002, Biggs was Geary County prosecutor when he almost defeated Republican Phill Kline in the attorney general's race.
After he lost, Sebelius named him securities commissioner.
Although there has been talk about a Kline-Biggs rematch next year, the commissioner hasn't said whether he will run and said he had no control over speculation about his political future.
"Obviously, I'm going to have to make a decision," he said.
Republicans say Biggs is trying to raise his name identification. The marketing firm that produced the commercials is the same one that worked on his 2002 campaign.
"It's pretty obvious," Shallen-burger said. "We all chuckled at it. Here's a guy that's running for something."
The campaign to warn Kansas consumers cost about $400,000 and was paid with fines collected from those violating state securities law. It didn't involve any tax money.
Kline, who held a series of news conferences Wednesday promoting a new domestic violence program, declined to criticize Biggs.
"I'll focus on my shop. He can focus on his," he said.
Democrats dismissed the criticism.
"The securities commission ad campaign is designed specifically to protect and inform Kansas investors," said Mike Gaughan, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party.
Toddler gets splish splashed
Aaron Smith, 2, enjoys being sprayed by water at the Schlanger Park Children's Wading Pool in Pittsburg, Kan., last Tuesday. The Midwest has been wracked by intense heat recently.
The Associated Press
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