CAUSE OF FISH KILL S.S.

FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS, INVESTIGATING A FISH KILL IN A LOCAL CREEK, DISCOVERED THE FISH DIED DUE TO GROUT GETTING INTO THEIR WATERWAY. WHILE WORKING ON REPAIRING EL RANCHO DRIVE (PARALLEL TO HIGHWAY 17, BETWEEN SANTA CRUZ AND SCOTTS VALLEY), CONTRACTORS USED WHAT ARE CALLED ?SOIL ANCHORS?, AND ADDED GROUT AROUND THEM TO KEEP THE ANCHORS IN PLACE. THE GROUT APPARENTLY LEAKED INTO AN AQUIFER, AND THEN INTO A TRIBUTARY OF CARBONERA CREEK, RAISING THE pH LEVELS. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE GROUT HAS NOW BEEN WASHED OUT BY THE LATEST STORMS, THE FISH DIED EARLIER THIS MONTH.