As the days grow longer and the weather grows warmer, the thoughts of many residents of the Potomac Highlands turn to fishing. Along the South Branch of the Potomac, thoughts of fishing also bring concern. For the past few years the fish in the South Branch of the Potomac have experienced unusual events. In some cases minor and massive fish deaths have taken place. Additionally some species, specifically smallmouth bass, developed a condition called intersex. Intersex fish have eggs that develop in the testes, reducing fertility.
The knee jerk reaction would be to blame the main local industry, the poultry farmers. In the past, environmentalists have registered concerns over chicken waste. After all whenever anything happens to the environment, many want to blame business without gathering all of the facts. State and federal researchers currently have no idea what caused either problem or even whether they are connected. Theories abound. Although poultry facilities are one possibility, some scientists note that birth control pills and other hormonal treatments that make their way into the sewage system are not removed by current technology.
Passing judgment before the facts are in about these fish problems means that money could be wasted or an industry hurt. Although environmentalists like to characterize the poultry industry as "big business," in reality it relies upon the hard work of individual farmers. These men and women together form one of the major pillars of Potomac Highlands prosperity. Using them as scapegoats for a problem the state cannot even define yet would be a mistake.
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