For the first time since last winter, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) risk factors for butter clams sampled on beaches near Pats Creek have dropped back to normal.

Wrangell Cooperative Association’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program office made the announcement last week, after samples taken July 24 showed decreased levels of saxitoxin. The cause behind PSP, elevated saxitoxin traces were first discovered at the site in January.

Saxitoxin is a deadly neurotoxin produced by phytoplankton of the genus Alexandrium. When appearing in large blooms in nearby waters, the plankt...