United States
Environ mertalProtection
Agercy
GreatLakesNationalProgramOffice February 1997
7 7 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
&EPA
Lake
Michigan
Fact
Sheet
LAKE MICHIGAN
AREAS OF CONCERN
Areas of Concern
Lake Michigan has 10 Areas of Concern (AOC)
which were designated by the International Joint
Commission. An AOC is alocation whereuse
of rivers, bays, or lakes is limited by pollution.
Such areas might have high polluti on level s that
prevent people from swimming or eating
local fish. In addition, the pollution levels may
beharmingfish, wildlife, and wildlife habitat.
Citizens and representatives from business and
local, State, and Federal governments have
j oined together in identifying pollution sources
and implementing solutions for each AOC.
Multiple activities are underway to address
each AOC's environmental concerns. For more information about actions and successes,
points of contact are li sted for each AOC i n the bri ef descripti ons that foil ow.
Manistique River
Location
The ManistiqueRiver flows southwestthroughSchoolcraftCountyinMchigan'scentral
Upper Peninsula, discharging into theLakeatManistique. The AOC isthelast 1.7 miles of
the river, from the dam to the mouth of the harbor at Lake Michigan.
BriefDescription
The primary environmental concern is contamination of sediments and fish by poly chlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs). Oils and heavy m etals also contaminate the AOC and combined sewer
overflows can be a problem. A combined sewer overflow is the discharge of both sewage
and storm water that have not been treated.
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Ongoing dredging of PCB-contaminated sediments will eventually lead to restoring most oftheuses inthe AOC and will
al so lead to a reduction of PCB contaminati on to Lake Michigan.
Contacts
Merilee Blowers, Chair
Public Advisory Committee
Manistique Papers. Inc.
453 S. Mackinac
Manistique. MI 49854
906-341-2175
Roger Eberhardt
MI Dept. of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 302 73
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-1119
eberharr@deq.state.mi.us
Jim Hahiieiiberg
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago,IL 60604-3590
312-3534213
hahnenberg.jim@epamail.epa.gov
Lower Menominee River
Location
The Menominee River forms the boundary between the northeast comer ofWi sconsin and the southern tip of the Upper
Peni nsul a of Mi chigan. In Wisconsin, this river i s sometimes called the Brule. 11 fl ovvs between the cities of M enomi nee,
Michigan and Marinette, Wisconsin, before emptying into Green Bay on Lake Michigan. The AOC includesthe lower
3 miles of the river from the Upper ScottPaper Company Dam to the river's mouth and approximately 3 miles north
and south of the mouth along the adj acent shoreline of Green Bay.
BriefPescription
The A nsul Chemical Company produced arsenic-based herbicides from 1957 to 1977. Wastes, including arsenic salts,
were stored next to or dumped into the river causing the largest remaining impairments in the AOC. Other pollutants
such as mercury, PCBs, and oil and grease have also contributed to environmental problems. Sources of contamination
include coal and salt piles, amunicipal landfill, industrial discharges, municipal wastewater treatrnen t pi an ts, and com-
bined sewer overt! ows. The ecosystem will be restored with the successful implementation of the cleanup agreement
between EPA and Ansul under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Contacts
Nancy Douglas, Chair
Citizens Advisory Council
Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce
100510th Ave., P.O. Box 436
Menominee, MI 49858
906-863-2679
Lower Green Bay and Fox River
Location
The AOC consists of the lower 7 miles of the F ox River and about 20 square miles of southern Green Bay. The drain-
age area encompasses portions of 18 counties in Wisconsin and 40 watersheds ofthe Upper Fox River, Wolf River,
and the Fox River, i ncludi ng Lake Winnebago, and its pool 1 akes. A watershed i s an area of 1 and from whi ch water
drains to a stream, lake, or wetland.
BriefPescription
Terry Lohr
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
P.O.Box7921
Madison, WI 53707
608-267-2375
lohrt@dnr.state.wi.us
Charles Anderson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago,IL 60604-3590
312-886-1501
anderson. charles@epamai l.epa. gov
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If uses are to be restored, the amount of contaminated sediments and nutrients must be significantly reduced, wetland
habitat must be better protected and restored, and PCBs must be eliminated or reduced to a level where no negative
effects to the ecosystem can be detected. In addition, the introduction of exotic species must be better controlled.
Exotic speciesarenot native to Lake Michigan and havebeen intentionally introduced or have infiltrated the system.
Some exoti c species have a negative effect on native species.
Since 1988,38 of the 120 recommended remedial actions have been implemented and another 57 have been initiated.
Contact
Nancy Barker, Chair
Public Advisory Council
Alderman of Menasha County Board
Supervisor for Winnebago County
506Keyes
Menasha, WI54952
414-725-1441
Vicky Harris
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
Northeast Region
1125 N. Military Ave.
P.O. Box 10048"
GreenBay,WI 54307
414-492-5904
CallieBolattino
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-353-3490
bolattino.callie@epamail.epa.gov
Michael Finney
Oneida Nation
Community Development Division
P.O. Box 365
Oneida, WI 54155
River
Location
The lower Sheboygan River downstream from the Sheboygan Fall s Dam, including the entire harbor and near-shore
waters of Lake Michigan, comprises the AOC. The AOC serves as a sink for pollutants carried from three rivers:
Sheboygan, Mullet, and Onion.
Brief Description
EPA designated the Kohler Company landfill, 1 ocated approximately 3 00 feet from the river, as a Superfund site in
1984. Ayear later, 14 miles of the river and the harbor were named as another Superfund site. Superfund is a federal
priority program which seeks the cleanup of the most polluted hazardous waste sites in the country.
Whil e several contaminants contribute to the use impairments, PCB s are the overri ding pollutant of concern in the
contaminated sedi m en t th rough exit th e system. The environmental problems will continue until appropriate corrective
actions ordered through Superfund are implemented.
Contacts
Barb Lillesand, Chair
Citizens Advisory Committee
Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce
712 Riverfront Dr.
Sheboygan, WI 53081
414-457-9490
Milv —
watikee Estuary
Marsha Jones
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
Southeast Region
P.O. Box 12436
2300 N. Martin Luther King J r. D r.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414-263-8708
jonesm@dnr.state.wi.us
Susan Prout
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-353-1029
prout. susan@epamail. epa. gov
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Location
Included in the AOC are: the outer harbor and near shore areas of Lake Michigan, the lower 3.1 miles of the Milwau-
kee River, the lower 3 miles of the Menominee River, and thelower 2.5 miles of the Kinnicldnnic River.
BriefDescription
The Milwaukee River ecosy stem is affected by pollution sources associated with land use from the entire Milwaukee
River watershed. As in all maj or industrialized urban areas, the ecosystem has been impacted by urban runoff and
development. In Milwaukee, upstream sourcesofPCBshavecontaminated sediment and agricultural runolYcontributes
nutrients and sedimentto the system. Sediment remediation projects have begun in Cedar Creek and non-point priority
watershed proj ects have been implemented. Combined sewer overflows have been greatly diminished. They used to
occur, on average, 50 times per year and since 1994, now occur fewer than 2 times per year.
Contacts
Steve Skavroneck
Citizens Advisory Committee
346 E. Wilson St.
Milwaukee. WI53207
414-483-1512
craneliousesp@nisn.com
Waukegan
Location
Marsha Jones
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
Southeast Region
P.O. Box 12436
2300 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414-263-8708
jonesmi@dnr.state.wi.us
Stephen Jann
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. JacksonBlvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-886-2446
j ann. stephen@epamail. epa.gov
The Waukegan AOC i s located in Lake County, Illinois, on the west shore of Lake Michigan. There i s also an Ex-
panded Study Area (I • S A )bounded by: the Dead Riveron the north; abluffline which parallels Sheridan Road on the
west; the southern boundary of the former U. S. Steel Property on the south; and the near-shore waters of Lake Michi-
gan on the east. Waukegan Harbor consists of approximately 3 7 acres of industrial, commercial, municipal, and open/
vacant 1 ands. The watershed of the W aukegan E S A contains the W aukegan River, theN orth Ditch, and other near-
shore areas which drainto Lake Michigan.
BriefDescription
Three Superfund sites are located within the ES A. Maj or causes of environmental problems are contaminated sedi-
ments and soil sin and around Waukegan Harbor. Major concerns voiced by citizens include fish consumption adviso-
ries and del ays in harbor dredging.
F our maj or remedial actions have been completed that will significantly reduce the quantity of contaminants in
Waukegan Harbor and the near-shore area. One site alone resulted in the removal of approximately 1 million pounds of
PCBs. The local Citizens Advi sory Group hasbeen instrumental in obtaining cooperation from local responsible parties
to pursue remedial investigations in addition tomany other environmental activities.
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Contacts
Charles C. Islcv III, Chair
Citizens Advisory Group
Lake County Chamberof Commerce
5221 Grand Ave.
Gurncc.IL 60031
847-249-3800
Bob Scliacht
IL Environmental Protection Agency
1701 First Ave.
May wood, IL 60 '15 3
708-338-7900
bshacht@cedar.cic.net
Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Ship Canal
Matthew Didier
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-886-6711
didier.matthew@epaniail.epa.gov
Location
The Grand Calumet River, originating in the east end of Gary, Indiana, flows 13 miles through the heavily industrialized
cities of Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond. The AOC includes Lake County, Indiana, north of Interstate 80/94 and
includes the east branch of the river, a segment of the west branch, and the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal.
Brief Description
The AOC isheavily industrialized, including steel mills, oil refineries, chemical plants, and many other industrial opera-
tions. In contrast to the presence of heavy industry, the AOC also contains globally rare dune and swale habitat that
supports a multitude of native pi ant species. The maj ority of the river's flow drains into Lake Michigan via the Indi ana
Harbor and Ship Canal, sending about 1 billion gallons ofwater into the lake per day. Of the river's flow, 90 percent
originates as municipal and industrial waste waters, cooling and process water, storm water overflows, and combined
sewer overflows. Heavy industrialization of the AOC has resulted in widespread contamination ofthe soil, sediments
and ground water by hazardous substances and petroleum through accidental spills and releases. Between 5 and 10
million cubicyards of contaminated sediments coverthe bottom of the Grand Calumet River and the Indiana Harbor
Ship Canal, of which an estimated 150,000 cubicyards enter Lake Michigan annually. Millions of gallons of petroleum
float on the ground water, and pose a threat where ground water meets surface water. Hundreds of hazardous waste
sites require cleanup, including seven Superfund sites and numerous leaking underground storage tanks.
There are a host of activities underway where local, state and federal agencies, industry, and citizens are working
together in formulating and impl em enting soluti ons to these problems.
Contacts
JohnFekete. Co-Chair
Citizen s Advisory for the Remediation
of the Environment (CARE) Committee
East Chicago, IN 46312
!Belttoa91
Kay Nelson, Director
NW Regional Office
IN Dept. of Environmental Management
504 Broadway #418
Gaiy. IN 46402
219-881-6712
knels@opn.dem.state.in.us.
Stacy Greendlinger
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago,IL 60604-3590
312-353-5069
greendlinger.stacy@epamail.epa.gov
The Kal amazoo River i s 1 ocated in the southwest portion of Mi chigan' s Lower Peninsul a. The river fl ows in a westerly
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direction and discharges into Lake Michigan near the Town of Saugatuck. The upstream boundary of the AOC is
Morrow Dam, which forms Morrow Pond in Kalamazoo. The AOC extends downstream to Lake Michigan, a di stance
of approximately 80 miles.
Brief Description
The Kalamazoo River has been identified as an AOC due to historic releases of PCB s from de-
inking operations at local papermills. These PCBs have accumulated in sediment and fish. Source areas for the PCB
contamination have been i dentified along the m ain stream from Calkins Dam to the City of Kal amazoo and Portage
Creek in the City of Kal amazoo. The upstream sources of PCBs are collectively referred to as the Allied Paper, Inc./
Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River site. The area became a Superfund site in August 1990.
Habitat loss due to sediment contamination, sedimentation, and local developmental pressures is a concern as i s fi sh
contaminati on. In addition, nesting failure ofbald eagles within the AOC suggests reproductive impairments potenti ally
linked to PCB sediment contamination. Studies of effects of PCB-contaminated sediments onbiotain the Kalamazoo
River were released in Summer 1996. Significant effects were found in many levels of the ecosystem throughoutthe
AOC. These studies are one more link in the chain of events that will lead to remediation of thi s Superfund site and
ultimately reduce PCB loads to Lake Michigan. The Kalamazoo River is the largest source of PCB s to Lake Michigan
from Mi chigan tributaries.
Two active non-point source pollution control proj ects in tributaries to the Kalamazoo River, the Little Rabbit River and
Davis Creek, are expected to reduce loading of soil and certain contaminants to the Kalamazoo River and to Lake
Michigan.
Contacts
Robert Beck, Chair
Public Advisory Council
P.O.Box 181
Hopkins, MI 49328
616-793-7393
Muskegon Lake
Roger Eberfaardt
MI Dept. of Environmental Quality
RO. Box 302 73
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-1119
eberliarr@deq. state, mi.us
MarciaDaniato
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, 1160604-3590
312-886-6059
damato.marcia@epamail.epa.gov
Location
Muskegon Lake i s a 4,149-acre inland coastal lake located at the m outh of the Muskegon River in Muskegon County,
Michigan along the east shoreline ofLake Michigan.
BriefDescription
Muskegon Lake was originally identified as an AOC because, priorto 1973, it received direct di scharges of industrial
and municipal wastewater, urban runoff, and combined sewer overflows. These discharges reduced water and habitat
quality in Muskegon Lake and its tributaries. Despite water quality improvements over theyears, Muskegon Lake has
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areas that are still seriously impaired by polluted ground-water sites flowing into the Lake, contaminated sediments,
insufficient dissolved oxygen, and degraded fish and wildlife habitat.
Increased treatment of industrial and municipal waste over the last 20 years has reduced the amount of pollutants
discharged in the AOC. Local problem spots such as Ruddiman Creek, a tributary to Muskegon Lake, continue tobe
assessed and are the subj ect of educational and remedial action efforts by the community. The Muskegon County Soil
Conservation Di strict has initiated many local community-based educational programs to reduce non-point source
pollution to Muskegon Lake and to Lake Michigan.
White 1 ake i s a 2,570-acre i nl and coastal 1 ake at the m outh of the Whi te River, alongthe east shoreline of Lake Michi-
gan. The AOC includes White Lake proper and a 0.25-mile zone around Lake Michigan.
BriefDescription
White Lake faces problems from contaminated groundwater, urban runoff, combined sewer overflows, contaminated
sediments, pollution from the atmosphere, and historical municipal and industrial discharges.
Assessment continues for sediments in the vicinity of the former leather tannery in Whitehall. The EPA research vessel
"Mudpuppy" collected core samples in 1994 and 1996 to determine the extent of heavy metal contamination in White
Lake sediments.
Pumping and treating of ground water contaminated with organic solvents from the former chemical plant north of White
Lake has significantly reduced loadings of contaminants to White Lake and Lake Michigan.
Contacts
Roland Crummel
Public Advisory Council
WHMenattDr-
Muskegon, MI 49445-2123
616-744-4604
Location
Roger Ebcrhardt
MI Dept. of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 30273
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-1119
eberliarr@deq. state, mi .us
Contacts
Tanya Cabala, Chair
Public Advisor}' Council
Lake Michigan Federation
Roger Eberhardt
MI Dept. of Environmental Quality
P.O.Box30273
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-1119
MikeRibordv
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-886-4592
425 W. Western #410
Mukegon, MI 49440
616-722-5116
cberharr@deq.state.ini.us
ribordy.mikc@cpamail.epa.gov
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