THIRTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 73 



It is a pleasure to report that the oil industry itself realizes this 

 pollution problem. The American Petroleum Institute, a national 

 organization and representative of the oil industry, appointed a com- 

 mittee to investigate oil pollution in the United States. The report is 

 very instructive but lack of space prevents further comment than to 

 say that the standards arrived at in California are higher than those 

 recommended in the above report. This, of course, is of great benefit 

 to conservation. 



The Bureau would like to set out in detail the great amount of work 

 done by the oil industry in the program of pollution prevention but 

 such procedure would be too tedious for a report of this kind. The 

 larger units of the oil industry have met the issue and have taken 

 energetic measures to meet the standards, as fixed. This may better 

 be appreciated When it is realized that, conservatively, $2,000,000 has 

 been spent in the last eighteen months in improvements to prevent 

 oil pollution. With very few exceptions, and these generally small 

 and independent operators, this has all been accomplished through con- 

 ferences. The general whole-hearted manner in which the oil industry 

 has met this problem is very commendable. 



A number of the deputies have reported sawmill pollution occurring 

 in the northern part of the state. The Bureau has assisted, where 

 desired, and improvements have been effected. In this connection it 

 is well to remember that effects of sawmill pollution may stay with 

 us for many years. This is borne out by the present condition of 

 the Truckee River which is at the present time carrying sawdust. 

 This sawdust was placed in the river prior to 1895 by the sawmills in 

 that region and filled the channel to over 10 feet in depth in places. 

 Injunction proceedings in that year stopped the practice. The high 

 waters of the season of 1928 scoured the channel and exposed the 

 sawdust and edging piles. Present water action continually moves 

 some of this accumulation with consequent damage to fish and plant 

 life of the river. 



Pollution work of the Bureau has brought it in contact with 

 practically all lines of industry. Remedial measures have generally 

 been effected after conferences where pollution occurred. Lengthy 

 studies have not been necessary as the matters under consideration 

 were recognized by all as pollution. As the work develops more scien- 

 tific study may be required. 



Some time has been spent on activities other than the ones covered, 

 which represent major items. It is recommended that the Bureau's 

 budget be increased in order that the matters before the Bureau may 

 be more expeditiously disposed of and greater strides made in the 

 conservation of the fish life, natural and planted, in streams. 



