Big and Little Darby Creeks could lose more species

The Nov. 3 article, “Tiny fish declared extinct,” declared the extinction of the Scioto madtom, a rare small catfish known only from Big Darby Creek.

 We have the opportunity to renew our efforts to save a unique natural resource in central Ohio, Big and Little Darby Creeks and designate these streams as Outstanding National Resource Waters, the highest protection under the Clean Water Act.

The Darby Creeks are the top-quality streams in Ohio, State and National Scenic Rivers, and are threatened by extensive development in the watershed. Without adequate protection, Big and Little Darby Creeks could lose more species, especially its seven mussel species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

More:Federal agency declares fish that once inhabited Big Darby Creek extinct

You can help avoid these biodiversity losses by encouraging the Ohio EPA to designate Big and Little Darby Creeks as Outstanding National Resource Waters.

They deserve this level of recognition. This would be the first two streams for Ohio in this category. Kentucky has eight. 

In the 1970s and 1980s, plans for two dams on Big Darby Creek were abandoned because of public opposition and recognition of the outstanding value of these creeks. 

Looming development in the watershed is a major threat.

It is time to conserve these precious features and protect our conservation investment of hundreds of millions of dollars. We need a new round of action that relies on scientifically proven, adequately planned, sustainable levels of development. We might not have another chance to avoid a regrettable decline in one of Ohio’s most valuable natural resources.

Anthony Sasson, Darby Creek Association

Child labor laws can not be rowed back

Most Americans agree that child labor laws that have been in effect for a century are an important protection for children and should be enforced.

Sadly, child labor violations have been on the rise.

How have Republicans responded?

More:Republicans push for teenagers as young as 14 to work in restaurants, industrial jobs

By trying to ease the legal barriers on this crime.

I’m grateful that Sen. Sherrod Brown is pushing back on the GOP’s harmful proposals.

He’s one of several senators who’ve introduced the Children Harmed in Life-Threatening or Dangerous (CHILD) Labor Act, which would crack down on child labor by greatly increasing the minimum civil and criminal penalties for breaking child labor laws, holding big corporations responsible for violations by smaller businesses they subcontract with, and allowing children who’ve been seriously injured on the job to sue their employers.

It would also authorize the Department of Labor to put warning labels on goods manufactured with child labor and issue a stop worker order to any person who breaks these laws.

Please urge your members of Congress to support this important legislation.

Sara Patrick, Strongsville