Klepal, D. (2004, January 23). Ohio's waters more polluted. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved from http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/01/23/loc_ohiorivers.html
Dan Klepal, a journalist for the Cincinnati Enquirer, did some in depth investigation back in 2004 regarding the current state of pollution in the Ohio River. According to reports by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency states that a “majority of Ohio's rivers, streams and lakes are considered "impaired'' because of high concentrations of bacteria from raw sewage and heavy metals”. The findings published by Klepal later go on to describe an impactful measurement that is more pertaining to local residents, “Officials have warned that people should not eat more than one fish meal a month out of the Ohio River because the fish could contain mercury or other contaminants that can cause cancer or other disorders”. Probably the most astonishing finding is the presence of the pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. OEPA states that these man-made chemicals are among the world’s most toxic. Pollutants washed by rains from; farms, roads, junkyards, and industry, paired with inadequate and outdated sewage systems are the primary causes of watershed contamination. Because of all of these issues regarding contaminants local markets and eateries do not supply any fish harvested from the Ohio River. The Food and Drug Administration requires commercial fisherman to deliver certificates of origin with their catch. However recreational fishermen still routinely consume their catch against warning. Many activists are concerned that the mandated cleaning and protection regulations stemming from the findings are too lenient and drawn out. The state of Ohio is granted 10 years to address and improve water purity issues after the findings were published in 2002. These findings help illustrate and justify my personal firsthand view of the water quality in the Ohio River. My observation of floating debris is validated by EPA findings regarding contamination. When I think about my place as it was 200 years ago it is hard to imagine they predicted this issue. I am certain in the day of William and George Rogers Clark that the Ohio River and its bounties were much more appreciated.
General William Clark. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2011, from http://www.locustgrove.org/aboutlg_williamclark.html
To gain more incite on the Lewis and Clark expedition and why Louisville is involved in the story I first need to understand why William Clark was here. The best remaining historical location is Locust Grove, the boyhood home of the Clark family and later home of brother George Rogers. William Clark moved to Kentucky as a 14 year old boy after relocating from Virginia with his family. Over the next 9 years he would serve in the United States Military on expeditions against the Native Americans. In 1796 He returned home to his parent’s plantation at Mulberry Hill (Locust Grove) where he lived until his parents died. William inherited the property but sold it to his brother Jonathan. In 1800 he moved across the river to Clarksville, Indiana with his brother George Rogers. “In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to make a western expedition to establish an American presence in the far northwest; to investigate a water passage to the Western Sea; to map and investigate the new Louisiana purchase; to report the culture, commerce, and capabilities of the many native-American tribes of the area; and to observe and collect botanical and biological specimens”. This is what began the journey westward and my ancestor’s connection to the story. Thomas Jefferson conducting this voyage links my family ancestry, my birth city, and a huge part of American history. I feel a deep rooted connection to this part of the country slightly more than most Louisvillians may.
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