Thursday, April 26, 2018

Draft proposal to remove Lower Menominee River Area of Concern Restrictions on Fish Consumption available for public review and comment


After nearly 30 years of cleanup and remediation efforts, the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources are seeking public comment on our joint recommendation to remove the listed impairment for Restrictions on Fish Consumption from the Lower Menominee River Area of Concern (AOC). A draft proposal is now available for public review that summarizes the remediation actions taken and results of follow-up testing that indicate AOC targets are being met. The proposal also includes documentation of stakeholder involvement in this process.

Anyone wishing to review the proposed impairment removal document can find it here:
Restrictions on Fish Consumption Impairment Removal Proposal (PDF)

Information about the Lower Menominee River Area of Concern is available at this link.
Comments can be submitted to Vic Pappas, Lake Michigan Field Supervisor, at Victor.Pappas@Wisconsin.gov until May 18, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Questions about the BUI removal may be directed to Mr. Pappas or to the Michigan DNR Area of Concern Coordinator, Stephanie Swart, at 517-284-5046 or by e-mail at swarts@Michigangov.

The removal proposal is made by the Wisconsin DNR Office of Great Waters, Michigan DNR Office of the Great Lakes and supported by the Lower Menominee River AOC Technical and Citizens Advisory Committees. Sediment removal, cleanup projects and other changes have reduced pollutants within the boundaries of the Area of Concern and existing advisories relate to pollution coming from outside of the AOC.

It’s important to note that while the area of concern is no longer a source of certain pollutants that have been found in fish, pollution is still coming from outside the area. As a result, advice about eating fish should still be followed This advice can be found at: https://dnr.wi.gov/fcsexternaladvqry/fishadvisorysrch.aspx.

To learn more visit http:/dnr.wi.gov/ and search “AOC.”

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