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Karen Kesterson Hyer Wildlife Refuge papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 4199

Scope and Contents note

Papers about the selenium pollution of the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge. There are books, newspaper clippings, court cases (Claus vs. U. S. circa 1980), maps, magazines and soil surveys. The collection is an excellent source for the history of selenium build-up in the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge, how pollutants affect wildlife, livestock, crops and humans, the premature aging of lakes, plans to build an experimental desalting plant, water allocation decisions of California, the Grasslands Easement Program and some environmental White House Executive Orders. Personal first-person accounts are also included.

Fresno County farmers wanted to direct their polluted water to the San Francisco Bay through a pipe called the San Luis Drain. Lack of funds and objections of environmentalists aborted the project. The San Luis Drain was stopped in the Kesterson Wildlife Reserve, and dumped pollutants into it. The toxin and selenium began to cause deformities in waterfowl, which drew the attention of the public to the situation.

Dates

  • circa 1980-1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Restricted access; Curator permission required.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Karen Kesterson Hyer Wildlife Refuge papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Karen Hyer is a fish and wildlife biologist. She works at The Office of Subsistence Management, a branch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Extent

33 cartons (33 linear feet)

1 box (0.5 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Books, articles, newspaper clippings, court case documents, personal accounts, maps and soil surveys related to the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge in California, circa 1980-1990.

Custodial History note

Donated by Karen Hyer in 1997.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Karen Hyer; 1997.

Appraisal note

Environmental History (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development 5.V).

Processing Information note

Processed; H. Christine Swindler; 2007.

Processed; Mary Downs; 2009.

Title
Register of Karen Hyer Kesterson Wildlife Refuge papers
Status
Completed
Author
Karen Glenn, H. Christine Swindler, and Mary Downs, student processors, and John Murphy, curator
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States