December 1999 White River Chemical Spill / Fish Kill

A chemical spill of dimethyl dithiocarbamate allegedly released from Guide Corp (a former subsidiary of General Motors and Delco Electronics) damaged Anderson's wastewater treatment plant.  In the White River, the chemical apparently decomposed into toxic byproducts (thiram, carbon disulfide, and dimethylamine) that wreaked havoc for two weeks on the White River from Anderson to Indianapolis.  By January 3, the fish kills appear to have stopped.  The current tally stands at:

• More than 80,000 fish dead along a 50 mile stretch of White River from Anderson to Indianapolis.
• Unknown impacts on mussels and invertebrate although some appear to have survived.  Indiana Department of Natural Resources is beginning the formal assessment when the weather conditions allow.
• Unknown impacts on wells in the area.  Initial tests show no carbon disulfide but it will take time to show up.
• Uncertain impacts on mammals and birds in the area.  Initial research and theories do not predict a risk to them but an assessment will not be complete for some time.

Indiana Department of Natural Resource Director Larry Macklin stated that the chemical spill into Indiana's White River in December 1999 caused "massive destruction to the ecology of the river."  Describing the impact as "devastating," he captured the attention of concerned citizens, environmental groups and community activists in the region.  

But fortunately, leading citizens were already on the issue and did outstanding work getting the media, residents along the river and the State to recognize the severity of the fish kill and the potential human and animal health impacts.  A special thanks to Kevin Hardie and Brant Cowser of Friends of White River for their effort, especially over Christmas weekend.  As a result, the progress is being made!

Building on their research, a coalition of environmental groups have teamed up to respond to the problem and prevent similar events in the future.  The groups are:

• Audubon Society - Amos Butler Chapter
• Friends of White River
• Hoosier Environmental Council
• Improving Kids' Environment
• Protect our Rivers Now 
• Sierra Club - Heartlands Group