Fish and Wildlife moves to protect rare fish hurt by water pollution from surface coal mining

Kentucky arrow darter

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday that the Kentucky arrow darter, a small fish found only in southeastern Kentucky, has been listed as threatened, reports the Center for Biological Diversity. Water pollution from surface coal mining is largely blamed for the decline in species. The Kentucky arrow darter, once found at 74 sites, now only exists at 36. Of the 38 site losses, 16 have taken place since the mid-1990s in regions where mountaintop-removal mining occurs. Fish and Wildlife "also protected 248 miles of streams in 10 counties as 'critical habitat' for the fish.'"

Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the center, said in a statement: “The Kentucky arrow darter and the streams it depends on have been absolutely devastated by surface coal mining. Endangered Species Act protection will not only help the darter survive, but will also help protect the health of the people who have to live with polluted water and air from coal mining every single day.” (Read more)