Fish at another 14 sites in Utah have mercury contamination higher than levels considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sampling over the past two years was intended to expand officials' understanding of the extent of mercury pollution, which may come from air contaminants released by coal-fired power plants, from the soil or gold-mining operations.

Before now, advisories were issued concerning certain fish from three sites: Mill Creek, Grand County; Gunlock Reservoir, Washington County; and the Green River.

Now 14 additional sites are shown on a map where some fish had higher levels than the EPA's level of concern, which is set at 0.3 milligrams per kilogram of fish. The map was among information distributed recently to members of the Utah Statewide Mercury Workgroup.

"I'd say we are very concerned," said John Whitehead, one of two assistant directors in the Utah Division of Water Quality. "If you look at the data set, there are some sites that are fairly clear-cut. They are high, and the public needs to be aware of those."

The new sites are Porcupine Reservoir, Cache County; two locations on the Weber River in Weber and Morgan counties; Rock Creek, Duchesne County; Jordanelle Reservoir, Wasatch County; Red Creek, Duchesne County; Joes Valley Reservoir north arm, Emery County; Calf Creek, Sand Creek, Pine Creek, Wide Hollow Reservoir and Panguitch Lake, Garfield County; Newcastle Reservoir, Iron County; and Upper Enterprise Reservoir, Washington County.

Counting all sampling to date, 1,171 fish were checked, from 220 locations (165 rivers or streams, 54 lakes or reservoirs). Altogether, 125 samples were above 0.3 milligrams per kilogram, amounting to 11 percent.

The highest levels were 0.82 at Joes Valley Reservoir north arm, in splake trout; Upper Enterprise Reservoir above the dam, 0.65 in rainbow trout; and Jordanelle Reservoir west of the boat ramp, 0.56 in brown trout. At the same time, yellow perch in Jordanelle west of the boat ramp registered 0.31, far lower than the brown trout sample.

"The mercury contamination didn't just happen last week," Whitehead said. "It's been there, and we're finally observing it."

Elevated mercury levels were found "in a number of areas that may or may not warrant" fish advisories, he said. The question is still being considered, and an answer may come next month.

To put the matter in context, he said, the EPA level of concern involves chronic eating of such fish, "someone who is eating a lot of these fish for a long period of time." It could take such a person months or years before any indication of toxicity, he said.

In advisories about fish or waterfowl consumption, special caution was urged for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.

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