I’m the doubting kind and figure insects had nothing to do with it.

The truth is the EPA was so afraid that Steven Seagal would portray another of their employees – by filming a sequel to his “one line of speech then look angry “ 1997 action epic, that they’re about to deny access to 3 Billion dollars worth of Coal.

The mayfly, so irresistible to trout that anglers use it for bait and model lures after it, may become Appalachia’s spotted owl. Efforts to save old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, where the owls nest, led to federal protection in 1990 that restricted logging.

Mountaintop mining produces millions of tons of crushed shale and sandstone dumped in valleys and streams. Rainwater flowing though the debris carries dissolved metals into waters below, a lethal stew for mayflies, the EPA says.

Southern California thwarted by Delta Smelt, and the savior of Virginia trout a lowly mayfly?

Does size matter?

It appears so. Humans growing unsightly tumors or expiring prematurely doesn’t appear to concern our respective legislatures – we’re big enough to move if we don’t like it. Affect something small and defenseless – and get the full wrath of the Federal government on your head …

Perhaps our conservation organizations might want to rethink their game plan. Instead of defending trout, which are far too big and taste good, defend some tiny family of Caddisfly – one that’s hardly visible and largely unpronounceable…

… and then we can act surprised when the trout are the incidental beneficiary.

Tags: Virginia coal mines, mayfly, Steven seagal, EPA, Delta Smelt, old growth forests, spotted owl, trout protection, size matters