LAKE LINDEN MI (WLUC) – Federal lawmakers have pledged money for the cleanup of water bodies in the Great Lakes area.
Debra Shore, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Region Five, stated that an additional $1 billion will be dedicated over the next five-years to accelerate work in areas of concern in Great Lakes.
This is after a bipartisan federal infrastructure bill committed the money last Wednesday for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy formally defines areas of concern to be toxic hot spots.
They are areas around the Great Lakes with particular environmental problems, Rick Hobrla, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Great Lakes Management, stated. Many of these issues are often related to historical contamination, most commonly of the sediments.
Torch Lake is near Lake Linden is one the five areas of concern for Upper Michigan. EGLE reports that sediment in the lake has been decaying, exposing fish to copper-carrying microorganisms and destroying their habitats.
This makes the lake unfit for human consumption. EGLE says it is currently working on two projects to reduce the spread of toxins and restore sediment.
The first is focused on two areas along the lakeshore where contaminants could be entering the water. We were working with partners to examine the Lake Linden Recreation Area, then the Hubbell Processing Area. EGLE Lake Superior, Muskegon Lake and Torch Lake Coordinator Stephanie Swart are all part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act project.
The second project will improve the quality of sediment in Torch Lake, which will improve its health.
Swart states that the lake’s toxic chemicals can have a negative impact on all fisherman. Particularly those who depend on the lake for their main food source. Swart said that this has a particular impact on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community tribal community. They subsistence fish Torch Lake and Torch Lake fish have high levels of PCBs.
Swart said that EGLE was working with the EPA for each project.
Both are still in their early stages but could each receive some of $1 billion in funding when they are completed. Swart stated that this faster timeline means that we expect a lot more work and the decisions related to the work to be completed within five years.
The EPA plans funding similar projects in Deer Lake, Manistique River and St. Marys River as well as cleaning Torch Lake.
Click here for a complete list on Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Projects This link.
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