FOX RIVER
Summer 2009
Vol. 12, No. 2
Update from the Lower Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership
Little Lake Butte des Morts Cleanup Is Done
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
After six years, the Little Lake Butte des Morts
cleanup has been deemed complete.
The last of the sand covers and caps were placed in the
water near Strobe Island in late April and early May.
Contractors for WTMI and Glatfelter, the companies
responsible for the cleanup, used sand to cover about
6.5 acres of sediment and a rock/gravel, or armored,
cap over another 31 acres in the bottom of the lake.
Extra care was taken to ensure that eagles nesting in
the area were not disturbed.
The heavier armored cap was used in areas that had
higher levels of PCBs. The sand and gravel was laid
using two "spreaders" parked in the lake. Two floating
pipelines near Butte des Morts Beach Road, where
one of the project's staging areas was located, brought
the material to the site. The cover and cap work
started south of the island and moved north until it was
completed in mid May.
"We were optimistic that the cleanup would be finished
by July, and it was," said U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Remedial Proj ect Manager Jim Hahnenberg.
"All that is left to do now is to restore the on-shore
facility used for the project to its original state."
The equipment in the river that area residents looked at
for five years has already been removed. The staging
areas are being restored and should be back to their
original conditions by the end of the year. In addition to
the Butte des Morts Beach Road area, there is another
located on North Lake Street. Native wetland plants and
some drainage improvements may also occur next year.
According to Hahnenberg, Glatfelter and WTM I
are committed to conducting regular monitoring to
document improvements in the surface water and fish
and to ensure that the covers and caps are working.
"EPA and DNR will continue to oversee their work, but
PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE LAKE CLEANUP TEAM
This area, now cleared and covered with red clay, was formerly used
to store tubes and equipment for sediment dewatering operations.
the companies should be commended for their efforts
in cleaning up this portion of the river," Hahnenberg
added.
Dredging in the lake was completed a year ago with
370,500 cubic yards of contaminated sediment taken
out. "You could compare that to a 20-story high tower
covering an area about the size of a football field,"
Hahnenberg explained. "It was a lot of sediment."
After dredged sediment was dried just south of state
Route 441 on the west side of the lake, it was trucked to
landfills licensed to accept hazardous waste. Sediment
with lower levels of PCBs was taken to a facility in
Chilton while highly contaminated sediment was
transported to a landfill near Detroit.
Further information on the project can be found at
http://www.littlelakecleanup.com.
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Green Bay Area Dredging Continues
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Three dredges are operating on schedule five days per
week as they remove PCB-contaminated sediment from
the Lower Fox River.
One 12-inch and two 8-inch hydraulic dredges have
been working around the clock since April 28 to remove
an average of about 4,000 cubic yards of sediment
daily. According to EPA Remedial Project Manager Jim
Hahnenberg, the project is on schedule to remove at least
460,000 cubic yards of sediment.
"We should be able to meet our goal for 2009,"
Hahnenberg continued. "Each cubic yard of sediment is
three by three by three feet," he explained. "This is about
the size of a small refrigerator."
At press time, dredging was ongoing north of Little
Rapids using the 8-inch dredges. Simultaneously, the
larger dredge is operating downstream from DePere
doing "production dredging" from DePere to Green
Bay. Production dredging entails working in areas
with thicker zones of contaminated sediment permitting
the removal of more sediment. Sediment upstream of
DePere is thinner so dredging in those areas is typically
slower.
With the exception of sediment near Green Bay's
shoreline staging area referred to as the "Shell property"
at 1611 State St., dredged sediment will contain levels of
PCBs less than the 50 parts per million cutoff.
"Landfills in Wisconsin can only accept waste less than
50 ppm," Hahnenberg continued. "Most of the sediment
dredged this year will have PCB levels less than that.
Sediment over 50 ppm is being transported to Wayne
Disposal near Detroit. This is the closest facility that is
licensed to accept highly contaminated sediment."
Sediment with PCBs lower than 50 ppm is being trucked
to the Veolia Hickory Meadows Landfill in Chilton, about
33 to 37 miles away. The companies doing the cleanup—
Appleton Papers Inc., Georgia-Pacific and NCR Corp.—
coordinated routes with the local communities.
All dredged sediment is being pumped into the
dewatering facility on State Street via a pipeline. There,
the water is being squeezed out of the sediment by
equipment called plate and frame presses. The remaining
dried sediment is being loaded onto a truck for disposal.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOLDT TEAM
A 12-inch dredge is used to removed PCB-contaminated sediment
downstream from DePere.
Dredging is scheduled to continue into November,
Hahnenberg explained. "Based on our experience
at the Lower Fox River and other dredging projects
in the Midwest, weather doesn't let us work past
early November. The cold temperatures and freezing
conditions usually make operations unsafe."
Michigan Agencies
Leave Trustee Council
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The three Michigan "co-trustees" for the Lower Fox
River/Green Bay Trustee Council have withdrawn
from the memorandum of agreement which originally
established the council in 1997.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality,
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and
Michigan Department of Attorney General notified the
other trustees in late April that they were withdrawing
from formal participation. In their letter, they said they
See Michigan Agencies, Page 7
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Trustee Council Earmarks Over $2 Million for New Projects
By Colette Charbonneau, US Fish and Wildlife Service
The Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource Trustee
Council approved 14 restoration projects at a public
meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13. Funding for the proj ects,
totaling over $2 million, comes from the 2004 $3 million
PH. Glatfelter Co./WTM I interim settlement and the
2004 Fort James/Georgia-Pacific final settlement.
Approved projects include:
• $12,475 for the installation of a handicapped
accessible fishing wharf along the Fox River at
Sunset Park in the village of Kimberly.
• $182,000 for the construction of a rock shoal or
breakwater in Lake Poygan to protect and restore six
acres of native giant reed grass beds, locally known
as cane beds.
• $42,000 for the restoration of lake sturgeon
spawning habitat in the lower Menominee River.
• $140,000 to increase the genetic variation and
abundance of the native muskellunge (spotted
musky) in Green Bay.
• $18,000 for the placement of bald eagle nesting
structures near wetlands on Oneida lands.
• $2,400 for the construction and placement of Forster 's
Tern nesting platforms along the west shore of Green
Bay.
• $425,000 to restore natural stream shape and
riparian (river bank) habitat in three river reaches
along the South Branch of the Suamico River.
• $ 16,400 for the construction of a timber-log
structure to protect wetland habitat from wind-
driven and boat-driven waves on Lake Puckaway.
• $200,000 to continue establishing riparian buffers
along intermittent and perennial streams in the
Suamico and Little Suamico watersheds.
• $15,000 for the restoration of stream habitat in Duck
Creek.
• $80,000 to improve native brook trout habitat in
Trout Creek at the 17th hole on the Brown County
Golf Course.
• $660,000 to protect critical acres of stream habitat
and riparian wetlands.
• $189,139 to finalize restoration and enhancement
work at the Uihlein Waterfowl Production Area.
• $189,000 to preserve lowland hardwoods habitat
along the west shore of Green Bay.
"Every project approved by the Trustee Council will be
completed with leveraged funds from other sources or
in-kind services," stated Oneida Nation Environmental
Specialist and Trustee Council Technical Team Member
Betsy Galbraith.
In other news, two new members were recently
appointed to the Trustee Council. Tehassi Hill, Oneida
Business Committee, and Kenneth Fish, Menominee
Tribal Legislator, were appointed as representatives for
the Oneida and Menominee Nations.
The natural resource trustees are comprised of Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin,
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, and National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Out and About...
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
The Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership
is made up of U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Oneida Tribe of Indians of
Wisconsin and Menominee Indian Tribe of
Wisconsin. These partners, as well as other
supporting agencies, regularly provide speakers
to organizations in the Fox Valley area. The
following people recently made presentations:
May
Jim Hahnenberg, EPA: Green Bay Area
Retired Men's Club, Green Bay; general
Lower Fox River cleanup.
June
Jim Hahnenberg, EPA: EPA's National
Sediment Forum, Atlanta; "What I Learned from
16 Years in the Mud."
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
The Fox River Current is featuring promising natural resource damage assessment projects in and near the
Lower Fox River.
Spotlight On:
Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area - Herb Behnke Unit
By Colette Charbonneau, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
After five years of steady progress
on the restoration project being
conducted on the Herb Behnke Unit,
the dike system has been restored
and water control structures have
been added or replaced. The water
control structures allow a wildlife
biologist to raise and lower water
levels in areas surrounded by the
dikes. Water levels on the land can
now be managed to promote wetland
habitat for wildlife. The Herb
Behnke Unit (formerly known as the
K&S Unit) is part of the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources'
Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area.
The Lower Fox River/Green
Bay Natural Resource Trustee
Council funded the restoration
project to support waterfowl and
piscivorous (fish-eating) bird habitat
development. Waterfowl and fish-
eating birds such as terns, herons and
eagles were harmed by the release of
PCBs into the Lower Fox River and
Green Bay. Waterfowl consumption
advisories continue to be posted
for mallard ducks harvested along
the Lower Fox River and lower Green Bay. The
restoration project selected for funding on the Herb
Behnke Unit will help restore healthy populations of
birds in the Green Bay watershed. Also, the restored
habitat provides hunting opportunities for duck hunters
who no longer hunt along the Lower Fox River and
lower Green Bay due to the waterfowl consumption
advisory. Hunters will be able to eat the birds they
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAY BROCKMAN-MEDERAS, WISCONSIN DNR
Healthy bird populations, including pied-billed grebes, are being restored in the Green
Bay watershed.
harvest from the Herb Behnke Unit without concerns
about consuming PCBs.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff
removed woody vegetation from all the dikes, repaired
muskrat damage on the dikes, repaired water control
See Spotlight, Page 5
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Spotlight from Page 4
structures and rebuilt sections of the dike system that
needed more than normal maintenance.
"When the property was purchased by Wisconsin DNR
in the early 1990s, nearly the entire dike system was in
need of improvement," stated Kay Brockman-Mederas,
Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist. "Several miles of
dike improvements were needed in order to effectively
manage the entire wetland complex on the unit."
Wildlife biologists are now able to manipulate water
levels on approximately 2,000 acres of habitat.
Water can now be made available during dry periods
increasing the success of nesting waterfowl, allowing
for control of invasive exotic plants such as purple
loosestrife, and providing for protected areas during
fall and spring bird migrations.
"Diversity of species using the
property has increased," Brockman-
Mederas expounded. "We have
more osprey nesting in the area,
a bald eagle nest, growing black-
crowned and great blue heron
rookeries (colonies), black tern
populations are increasing, more
wood ducks are found and the
first trumpeter swan pair to hatch
cygnets (baby swans) in Outagamie
County."
In 2007, the footprint of the Herb
Behnke Unit increased with the
acquisition of 974 acres adjacent to
the Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Area.
The purchase of the property was
supported by the trustee council and
funded with Fox River/Green Bay
natural resource damage assessment
restoration settlement funds. The
land includes more than a mile of
frontage on the Wolf River and
several marshes considered to be
prime spawning habitat for walleye.
The Herb Behnke Unit is open to
the public. Various recreational
opportunities can be enjoyed including hunting,
trapping, hiking, wildlife viewing, bird watching
and berry picking. Load up your family and head to
the wildlife area just five miles north of Shiocton on
County Highway M for some outdoor fun. A map of
the unit can be found at www.dnr.state.wi.us/maps/
WM/NER/79201wrbsrawrbwaherbbehnke. pdf
The natural resource trustees are comprised of
Wisconsin DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Menominee
Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
For further information on NRDA projects, contact
Trustee Council Coordinator Colette Charbonneau,
FWS, at Colette_Charbonneau@fws.gov or at
920-866-1726.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB CLARK, WISCONSIN DNR PILOT
Wetlands are being restored on approximately 2,000 acres and the Herb Behnke Unit's
footprint has increased greatly during the 5-year project.
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Natural Resource Trustee Coordinator Steps Down
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Nearly eight years ago, Trustee Council Coordinator
Colette Charbonneau arrived in Green Bay from
Minneapolis/St. Paul. As the new trustee representative
for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Charbonneau'sjob
was to help oversee restoration projects in partnership
with the other trustee agencies—Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and
Menomonee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
Eighty one projects later, Charbonneau is moving
West. As she prepares to serve in the Department of
the Interior's Restoration Support Unit in Denver,
Charbonneau, 45, fondly looks back on her many
accomplishments in Green Bay.
"I was involved in some really good restoration projects,"
said the Bloomer, Wis. native. "I learned about Green
Bay ecosystems and Great Lakes fisheries."
Charbonneau, who has worked for FWS for 20 years,
said she is especially proud of all the restoration that has
been done at the grass roots level. "I worked with sport
fishermen and wildlife groups to write the best proposals
possible and to get them the money to see them through,"
she explained. "It's phenomenal what they've done."
Calling herself the "hub of the wheel," Charbonneau said
she is particularly pleased with the amount of funding and
caliber of projects she helped oversee. "This includes the
native fish we stocked and the habitat we restored," she
continued. "When you build an island and next year the
terns come, wow, I can say I had a part in that."
Charbonneau believes she has put her degrees to good
use during her long career. She holds a bachelor's degree
in wildlife management from University of Wisconsin—
Stevens Point and a master's degree in fisheries and
wildlife from University of Missouri—Columbia.
However, when she was asked to write articles for the
Fox River Current, she was up for this new challenge.
"I learned different types of writing," she stated. "I
can tell people what is going on while getting rid of the
bureaucracy. Upper management and Congress, as well
as the public, just want to hear the story, not the science
behind it. And, they want it in understandable language."
While this newsletter provided a "nice outlet" for her, she
used her new experience to inspire others. "A college
student even interviewed me about writing for my job,"
she said.
When she wasn't writing about her job, she was busy
doing it. From developing good working relationships
within tribal staff to promoting the many restoration
projects the trustees funded, Charbonneau was in front
of the public as often as possible. "I tried to find every
possible way to get people jazzed up about what we're
doing here," she continued. "While doing that, I gained a
deeper respect from working with tribal nations."
Her colleagues who work with tribes agree that she has a
knack when working in this area. "Colette integrates the
culture into the NRDA process," said Betsy Galbraith,
Oneida's environmental project manager. "She
understands that damages mean something different to
a tribe than they do to the general public. She has been
integral to the success of our restoration efforts. Her
departure is a big loss."
Charbonneau settled into her new job on Aug. 24. She
said she expected it to be similar to what she had been
doing, but on a national level. "I will be working more
See Natural Resource, Page 7
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM TURNER, WISCONSIN DNR
Colette Charbonneau and Samantha.
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Summer 2009
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Natural Resource from Page 6
Michigan Agencies from Page 2
on national policy for restoration," she stated. "That's the
biggest difference. I'll be doing more outreach and more
work on web pages—whatever someone needs help with."
While not necessarily a promotion for Charbonneau, she
looks forward to working with new partners as well as
continuing relationships with former ones including U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. "What enticed me was
the national scope," she explained. "I'll be working with
the National Park Service and Bureaus of Indian Affairs,
Land Management and Reclamation."
As she turns to a new chapter in her life, Charbonneau
admits she will miss the Midwest, her family, her home
state and the Packers. She won't be alone, however.
Her two dogs, two cats and horse will be making the
move with her. In the meantime, if anyone is interested
in a good deal on a three bedroom house on five acres
complete with shed and two garages (one for hay and one
for vehicles), please contact her as soon as possible. At
press time, her house still had a "For Sale" sign in front
of it.
will continue to support the goals of the trustee council
which are to seek restoration of and compensation for the
resources affected by the release of hazardous substances
in the river and bay. Their technical staffs will continue
to offer input and assistance to the council as needed.
While Michigan DNR was part of the original 1997
agreement, Michigan DEQ and Department of Attorney
General were added later via a May 2002 amendment.
The trustee council now consists of Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin,
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, and National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Information Available at Local Libraries
The Intergovernmental Partners invite the public to review technical reports, fact sheets and other documents
related to the Lower Fox River cleanup at information repositories set up in the reference sections of the local
libraries listed below. Information repositories at the public libraries in De Pere, Kaukauna, Little Chute,
Neenah and Wrightstown have been discontinued. Binders containing fact sheets and newsletters, however, are
being maintained at these locations as well as at the following repositories:
Appleton Public Library, 225 N Oneida St.,
Appleton, Wis.; 920-832-6170
Brown County Library, 515 Pine St.,
Green Bay, Wis.; 920-448-4381, Ext. 394
Door County Library, 107 S. Fourth Ave.,
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; 920-743-6578
Oneida Community Library, 201 Elm St.,
Oneida, Wis.; 920-869-2210
Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington
Ave., Oshkosh, Wis.; 920-236-5205
Check out these Web sites:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/foxriver/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/foxriver
http://contaminants.fws.gov/issues/restoration.cfm
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nrda/index.html
An administrative record, which contains detailed information upon which the selection of the final site
cleanup plan was based, is also available for review at two DNR offices: 801E. Walnut St., Green Bay, Wis.
and 101 S. Webster St., 3rd Floor, Madison, Wis. An administrative record is also available at the EPA
Record Center, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., 7th Floor, Chicago, III.
7
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 5
Superfund Division (SI-7J)
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
Reproduced on Recycled Paper
I
\
STOIC"
Prepared by the Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration. Supporting agencies include Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, U.S. Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by all members of
the Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership.
INSIDE
FOX RIVER CURRENT
Little Lake Butte des Morts Cleanup Is Done
Green Bay Area Dredging Continues
Michigan Agencies Leave Trustee Council
Trustee Council Earmarks Over $2 Million for New Projects
Out and About. . .
Spotlight On: Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area - Herb Behnke Unit
Natural Resource Trustee Coordinator Steps Down
Information Repository Locations
Web Site Addresses
Fox River Current is published tri-annually by
the Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership.
Its purpose is to provide up-to-date information
about cleanup and restoration efforts on
the Lower Fox River. Call Susan Pastor at
312-353-1325 or 800-621-8431 Ext. 31325,
weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to request a
subscription or alternative format. Feedback
on articles and ideas for future issues are
welcome. Send comments to Susan Pastor,
EPA Superfund Division (SI-7J), 77 W.
Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604 or e-mail
pastor, susan@epa.gov.
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