Friday, Sept. 2, 2011

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Environmental advocates say recent tests of the Ogeechee River, where thousands of fish died in May, still show high levels of contaminants.

Ogeechee Riverkeeper Dianna Wedincamp tells the Statesboro Herald that fish are still dying.

She said test results from water samples taken Aug. 16 were recently returned. She said they show extremely high levels of formaldehyde, and that levels of nitrogen, ammonia and sulfates are above normal.

Thousands of dead fish were found along 70 miles of the river in May. Lab tests showed they died from a disease that typically only affects fish stressed by environmental changes.

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper organization has filed complaints about textile operations in the area.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division spokesman Kevin Chambers said he couldn't comment because their investigation of the issue is ongoing.

(Copyright 2011, The Associated Press)

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