New version of ‘Poisoned Waters’ dives even deeper
December 18th, 2009 by cdunaganWhen I interviewed reporter Hedrick Smith back in April, I recall his being pleased with his soon-to-be-aired Frontline production called “Poisoned Waters,” about pollution in Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay.
At the time, Hedrick told me that he regretted not having enough time in the two-hour program to include clips of Billy Frank, chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and other folks whose personal histories are tied to Puget Sound. He said he would try to find a way to share these important clips with the public.
That’s exactly what he has done in a new program focused exclusively on Puget Sound, called “Puget Sound’s Poisoned Waters.” It will air Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on KCTS Channel 9.
The documentary repeats and expands on footage shown in the original program — including killer whales, contaminated salmon, underwater footage with scuba divers in Elliott Bay and discussions about the food web.
New segments focus on an ongoing animosity between tribal fishermen and farmers in the Skagit River area. Longtime farmer Curtis Johnson complains that Native Americans “exterminated” the salmon resource by over-fishing and are now blaming others for the result. Both sides acknowledged that trust between them was nonexistent.
In stark contrast, there’s the story of Billy Frank, whose personal charm and determination bridged a similar gap between tribal members and property owners in the Nisqually Valley — including Jim Wilcox of Wilcox Farms, a huge dairy operation. And now the potential enemies are friends.
At the end of the show, KCTS reporter Enrique Cerna discusses Puget Sound issues with Hedrick Smith and Bill Ruckelshaus, chairman of the Puget Sound Leadership Council.
Ruckelshaus makes the point that people need to learn about the problems facing Puget Sound and to “put their interests on the table, not their positions.” He means that everyone has personal needs and wants, and it is quite possible to find middle ground with the needs and wants of others.
“We have to change the culture of this place,” Bill says, “in order to ensure that the way we live allows other things to share this place with us.”
I was thinking, after watching a review copy of the program on DVD, that this hour-long documentary could serve as a catalyst for discussions throughout the Puget Sound region.
Perhaps the Puget Sound Partnership ought to go on tour, playing “Puget Sound’s Poisoned Waters” in various communities around the Sound. (Be sure to provide popcorn.) Then, after watching the show together, people could talk about how they feel about their community, discuss the local water-quality problems and pose possible solutions to nurse the ecosystem back to health.
Tags: " Frontline, Hedrick Smith, Puget Sound's Poisoned Waters
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
December 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am
We are already implementing your idea out on the Peninsula. WSU, Local 2020, People For Puget Sound, in conjunction with the County Marine Resource Committees (MRCs) have already show a shortened, Puget Sound version, and held a discussion at Port Townsend, along with a scheduled showing out at Port Angeles on January 8th.
I felt, and the audience reaction in Port Townsend, was that “Poisoned Waters” was too depressing on it’s own. It does not show enough of the positive work that has been done and continues to be done to reverse this sad trend. We specifically finished with an overview by groups that are working to save Puget Sound and it’s watersheds, and showed the audience how to get involved.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I am from the Chesapeake Bay area, where we are dealing with some of the same issues. Like the above poster said, while it is important that everyone knows the dangers and problems facing our waterways, we should also be aware of the positive efforts going on to remedy these problems, and also have ideas on how everyone can get involved. Otherwise, a lot of people are going to be left with a feeling of helplessness as if the damage has already been done and there is nothing that the efforts of a few can accomplish.
Thank you.
December 20th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
These are great comments. How to present complicated issues so people can understand the problems is one thing. How to help people make choices that are good for themselves and society is another.
It seems to me that the first step is to increase people’s knowledge, which tends to induce a feeling of depression. As you say, 8string and “fishing,” that alone won’t get us anywhere. It sounds like the discussion in Port Townsend was elevated by talk about actions.
The updated version of “Poisoned Waters” is important because it includes a history of the Nisqually area, where advocates were able to bury their animosity and get something done.
I may not be typical, but I get the strongest feelings of hope and confidence when I see monitoring data showing that progress is already being made.