Cleanup Brings Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Closer to Restoration, Delivers Results Under Great Lakes Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                No. 12-OPA30

Cleanup Brings Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Closer to Restoration, Delivers Results Under Great Lakes Initiative

CHICAGO (May 14, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the City and County of Muskegon today announced the completion of a contaminated sediment removal project at the Division Street Outfall to Muskegon Lake.  This project brings Muskegon Lake closer to being removed from a binational list of Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes.  

"The work by federal, state, county, city and other partners over the years has helped deliver real results under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator.  “This work will help boost human, ecological and local economic health. But we can’t stop here. We’re looking for new partners to match funds to accelerate cleanups in other Areas of Concern in Michigan and around the Great Lakes."

The $12 million project under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative’s Legacy Act removed about 43,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.  The contamination contributed to limits on eating fish caught in the lake, as well as loss of habitat and other environmental problems.

“The State of Michigan is excited to work with the EPA Great Lakes Legacy Act in cleaning up our Areas of Concern. We appreciate the time and effort of the local partners in restoring the values of the Muskegon Lake area to the local community,” said Patty Birkholz, Director of the Office of the Great Lakes.

The Muskegon Lake Area of Concern includes the entire lake, which is separated from Lake Michigan by sand dunes and a navigation channel. The Muskegon River flows through the lake before emptying into Lake Michigan. Additional tributaries include Mosquito Creek, Ryerson Creek, Ruddiman Creek, Green Creek, and Four Mile Creek.  In the 1980s, the U.S. and Canada identified 43 highly degraded shoreline areas along the Great Lakes.  Today there are 30 AOCs wholly in the U.S. or shared with Canada.

The Great Lakes provide more than 30 million Americans with drinking water and underpin a multi-billion dollar economy.  In February 2009, President Obama proposed the GLRI, the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades.

The GLRI Action Plan, which covers FY 2010 through 2014, was developed by a task force of 16 federal departments and agencies to implement the president’s historic initiative.  It calls for aggressive efforts to address five urgent priority focus areas:

- Cleaning up toxics and toxic hot spot areas of concern.
- Combating invasive species.
- Promoting near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted runoff.
- Restoring wetlands and other habitats.
- Raising public awareness, tracking progress and working with partners.

The plan also ensures accountability by establishing measures of progress and benchmarks for success.
For more on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, see www.glri.us.

For more on this project and the GLRI Legacy Act, visit www.epa.gov/glla. 

EPA Removal Work Begins at Danvers, Mass. Site

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
April 26, 2012

Contacts: Kate Renahan, EPA Public Affairs, (617) 918-1491 

EPA Removal Work Begins at Danvers, Mass. Site

(Boston, Mass. – April 26, 2012) – This week EPA began work to remove hazardous materials from 33 Water Street, in Danvers Mass. The removal project is expected to take eight weeks.

Starting in 1903, the Creese & Cook Company operated a leather tannery and finishing facility located at 33 Water Street.   In 1914, the tannery operation was expanded across the Crane River to 55 Clinton Avenue.  Creese & Cook conducted tannery activities on both sides of the River from 1914 to 1981, at which point the Creese & Cook Company ceased operations at these properties.  The Danversport Tanning Company continued the operation at the 33 Water Street property until 1984. From 1986 to 1987, the 33 Water Street property was redeveloped as the 28-unit Crane River East Condominiums.

Based on the historic use of the property as a leather tannery and finishing facility, EPA performed an evaluation to determine whether past operations resulted in environmental contamination.  Results of these studies indicate that some contamination remains as a result of previous tannery operations.

The evaluation revealed that arsenic in surface soil in the back yard and to the sides of the northern most building of the Crane River East Condominiums is above the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Imminent Hazard threshold value for arsenic.  Imminent Hazard threshold values represent concentrations above which individuals may be at risk when exposed to the soils over a relatively short period of time.

MassDEP has installed a fence around the area in question to prevent people from coming in contact with the arsenic contaminated soil. Removal activities in the yard area of the property will be focused on addressing risks posed by arsenic contamination in surface soils.  Additional cleanup activities may occur at a later time as part of a larger proposal to address all of the properties that were originally part of the former Creese & Cook operations.

EPA will be conducting additional sampling as needed to further characterize the extent of contamination in the surface soils prior to performing cleanup work. EPA will excavate and dispose of contaminated surface soil at an EPA approved off-site disposal facility. Piles of soil may remain on site for several weeks before disposal arrangements can be completed. Restoration of response related damages such as re-seeding and replanting will likely continue into the late summer/ early fall.

Workers may be on the site at 7:00 AM, with heavy equipment not being operated before 7:30 AM or after 6:00 PM. During the first few days of excavation activities, workers handling the contaminated soil may be dressed in protective clothing, including white tyvek coveralls, as a routine precautionary measure. Throughout the clean up, EPA staff and contractors will take measures, such as conducting area air monitoring and taking precautions to limit dust. These measures are taken to ensure that conditions are not harmful for people in the surrounding area.

EPA, in conjunction with MassDEP, is evaluating the former Creese & Cook properties, which includes 33 Water Street, for inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL).  The NPL is a national list of sites that EPA determines requires further detailed investigation and potential cleanup in order to protect human health and the environment in the long-term.  It is currently anticipated that the site(s) could be proposed to the NPL in September 2012.

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http://www.pollutionengineering.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001161827

http://www.pollutionengineering.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001161827

Cleanup Brings Milwaukee Area of Concern Closer to Restoration

News release from EPA Region 5:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               
No. 12-OPA010

Cleanup Brings Milwaukee Area of Concern Closer to Restoration, Delivers Results Under Great Lakes Initiative
  
CHICAGO (Feb. 17, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Milwaukee County today announced completion of contaminated sediment removal in Lincoln Creek and the Milwaukee River Channel.  This project brings the Milwaukee Estuary closer to being removed from a binational list of Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes.  

"The work by state, county, city and other partners over the years has helped deliver real results under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator.  “Thousands of cubic yards of harmful contaminated sediment were removed to help boost human, ecological and local economic health. But we can’t stop here. We’re looking for new partners to match funds to accelerate cleanups in other Areas of Concern in Wisconsin and around the Great Lakes."

The $24.6 million project under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative’s Legacy Act removed about 140,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PCBs and PAHs.  The contamination led to limits on eating fish caught in the river, as well as loss of habitat and other environmental problems. 

“The Great Lakes are the largest source of fresh water in the world.  Keeping them clean for the future is a priority,” said WDNR Secretary Cathy Stepp, “We are making major strides cleaning up the Milwaukee River Estuary.  I am pleased that we were able to fund most of the non-federal cost share for this project from state bonding, and delighted at the level of public support this project has received.  With our partners we will continue to work to bring the Milwaukee River back to provide recreational and economic benefits for the Milwaukee area." 

GLRI Legacy Act funds covered about $16 million.  WDNR contributed roughly $8.6 million.  The result was the cleanup of the largest known deposit of PCB-contaminated sediment in this Area of Concern. 

“This joint effort demonstrates the tangible benefits that can come from cooperation between all levels of federal, state and local government. By working together we are removing the impairments to our waterways that resulted from our long industrial history,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.  “This significant portion of the Milwaukee River and its natural resources are now cleaner, safer and more sustainable. We embrace the triumphant return of this park land to the greater use and enjoyment of our citizens.”

The Milwaukee River section of the Area of Concern extends from Cedar Creek downstream through the Outer Harbor. It includes Cedar Creek, Lincoln Creek and portions of the Menomonee, Little Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers.  In the 1980s, the U.S. and Canada identified 43 highly degraded shoreline areas along the Great Lakes.  Today there are 30 AOCs wholly in the U.S. or shared with Canada.

The Great Lakes provide 30 million Americans with drinking water and underpin a multi-billion dollar economy.  In February 2009, President Obama proposed the GLRI, the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. 




The Action Plan, which covers FY 2010 through 2014, was developed by a task force of 16 federal departments and agencies to implement the president’s historic initiative.  It calls for aggressive efforts to address five urgent priority focus areas:

•Cleaning up toxics and toxic hot spot areas of concern.
•Combating invasive species.
•Promoting near-shore health by protecting watersheds from polluted runoff.
•Restoring wetlands and other habitats.
•Tracking progress, education and working with strategic partners.

The plan also ensures accountability by establishing measures of progress and benchmarks for success.
For more on this project and the Legacy Act, visit www.epa.gov/glla. 

For more on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, see www.glri.us.

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