10,000 abandoned mines in the high country, plus thousands of acres covered with wastes from such huge operations as the Climax molybdenum mine, release a steady stream of toxic heavy metals into the headwaters of the Western water supply -- water on which cities as far apart as El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, and Los Angeles depend.

Acid rain and snow leach additional metals from mountain soils and threaten aquatic ecosystems and forests. Together, these problems also represent a potent threat to the $10 billion Western tourism industry. The time for action is now!



Grade Level: 9-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 1988     Copyright Date: 1987
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-685-3     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-009-9

Reviews "A powerful reminder that we share a limited environment with other humans and other life forms and that we will be ecologically and ethically accountable for thoughtless conduct. The film is a superb tool for teaching modern environmentalism." Roderick Nash, Professor of History and Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara