Menominee River Remedial Action Plan
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WISCONSIN NATURAL Michigan Department of RESOURCES BOARD Natural Resources Herbert F. Behnke, Chair Michael D. Moore, Director Trygve Solberg, Secretary Betty Jo Nelson Ed Meadows, Deputy Director Howard D. Poulson Resources Management Neal W. Schneider James Tiefenthaler, Jr. John Robertson, Chief Stephen D. Willett Fisheries Division Gerald Thiede, Chief Wisconsin Department Forest Management Division of Natural Resources O.J. Scherschligt, Chief George E. Meyer, Secretary Parks and Recreation Ron L. Semmann, Deputy Secretary Maryann Sumi, Executive Assistant George Burgoyne, Chief Wildlife Division Susan L. Sylvester, Administrator Division for Environmental Quality Michigan William R. Selbig, Director Lake Michigan District Office Department of Environmental Quality Bruce J. Baker, Director Bureau of Water Resources Management Russell J. Harding, Director Charles R. Ledin, Chief Charles W. McIntosh, Deputy Director Water Resources Policy and Planning Programs and Regulations Gary R. Hughes, Deputy Director MICHIGAN NATURAL Operations RESOURCES COMMISSION G. Tracy Mehan, Director Office of the Great Lakes Jerry C. Bartnik Keith J. Charters Robert Miller, Chief Larry DeVuy st Surface Water Quality Division Paul Eisele James P. Hill Lawrence Witte, Chief David Holli Land and Water Division Joey M. Spano Dennis Drake, Chief Air Quality Division A1 Howard, Chief Environmental Response Division LOWER MENOhUNEE RlVER 6ULNLUJUL XTION PLAN State of Wisconsin \ DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ~ Box 7921 Tommy G. Thompson, Governor 101 South Webster Street George E. Meyer, Secretary Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921 TELEPHONE 608-266-2621 1 DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES 1 FAX 608-267-3579 TDD 608-267-6897 February 1, 19% SUBJECT: 19% Lower Menominee River RAP Update Dear Interested Citizen: The attached 1996 Lower Menominee River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Update describes progress made in water quality restoration activities in the RAP area of concern since the stage one RAP was completed in 1991. Plan highlights include recommendations for continued restoration of historical contamination sites, protection of remaining environmentally sensitive areas, and monitoring the local ecosystem. The sources of contaminants contributing to the use impairments are being addressed primarily through existing US Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Quality (MDNRJMDEQ) programs and enforcement actions. Upon completion of restoration activities, monitoring will be conducted to document restoration of the uses in order to delist the Lower Menominee River as a RAP area of concern. Agency programs and community actions have been, and will continue to be, important in restoration and protection of water resources in the area of concern. Continuing commitment and cooperation between area residents and local, state and federal agencies is essential to coordinate and implement restoration and protection measures included in this update. This plan was prepared by Terry Lohr, Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Water Resources Management, with contributions from many others within and outside of WDNR, including MDNRIMDEQ, and the Citizen and Technical Advisory Committees. This plan is part of the Upper Green Bay Basin Water Quality Management Plm, which guides water resources management activities in the basin. Thank you for your interest, participation and continued involvement in managing our valuable water resources. Sincerely, Water ~esourcesPolicy and Planning Section Bureau of Water Resources Management Qualify Natural Resources Management e Through Excellent Customer Senlice -0 %r ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preparation of the Lower Menominee Remedial Action Plan 1996 (RAP) Update is being completed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Bureau of Water Resources Management, with support from the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, the Citizens Advisory and Technical Advisory Committees, the WDNR Lake Michigan District and the WDNR Bureaus of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Wastewater Management, Fisheries Management and Wildlife Management. Many indwiduals from the area of concern contributed to the review of this plan. Special thanks to Nancy Douglas, chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee and to Steve Zander for local staff support, and Dreux J. Watemolen and Cheryl Bougie of the WDNR Lake Mchigan District. Author: Terry Lohr EditindDesim- Jordana Lenon Photos: Steve Zander and Bill Kowalski; cover photo by Steve Zmder This publication was partially funded by a local water quality planning grant from the State of Wisconsin and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Steve Zander, RAP implementation specialist, demonstrates pollution prevention activities to a youth group during Environmental Field Days, sponsored by RAP participants. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................ i .. I TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................. 11 1 SUMMARY ...................................................... 1 FIGURES ........................................................ 7 Figure A: Menominee River Watershed .............................. 7 Figure B: Lower Menorninee River Area of Concern ..................... 8 Figure C: Bulkhead Lines ........................................ 9 Figure D: Wetlands ........................................... 10 Figure E: River Reaches ........................................ 11 Figure F: Point Source Dischargers ................................ 12 Figure G: Secondary Sources ..................................... 13 Figure H: City of Marinette New Sewer Lines ......................... 14 Figure I: Sediment Sampling Locations ............................. 15 Figure J: Ansul Property ........................................ 16 Figure K: Area of Arsenic-Impacted Sediment ......................... 17 Figure L: Storm Sewer Outfalls and CSOs ........................... 18 RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY ................................... 20 CHAPTER I: RAP PARTICIPANTS AND PROGRAMS ...................... 35 GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION ................................ 35 Table 1: Summary of Pollution Sources and Applicable Regulatory Programs ........................................ 35 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ..................................... 36 Community Recognition ................................... 37 Public Meetings ......................................... 37 Citizens Advisory Committee ............................... 38 Education and Outreach ................................... 43 THANK YOU. RAPPERS ! (Special photo feature) .......................... 46 CHAPTER II: BACKGROUND ........................................ 49 DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEMS ............................... 49 Arsenic Contamination .................................... 49 Table 2: Arsenic concentrations in sediments and pore water ......... 52 Paint Sludge Contamination ................................ 53 IMPAIREDUSES ............................................ 56 Degradation of Fish Populations ............................. 57 Degradation of Benthos ................................... 57 Fish Consumption Advisories ............................... 57 Loss of Habitat ........................................ 58 Total and Partial Body Contact Restrictions ..................... 58 STAGE I RAP UPDATES ...................................... 58 Clean Water Act Violations ................................ 58 Harbor And Navigation Channel Dredging ...................... 59 Fisheries .............................................. 60 Fish Tissue Contaminant Data ............................... 61 Fish Consumption Advisories ............................... 61 Fish Contaminant Studies .................................. 63 Waterfowl Tissue Analyses ................................. 64 Table 3: Contaminants in Waterfowl from the Lower Menominee River AOC ........................................... 64 The Green Bay Mass Balance Study .......................... 66 Water Quality Conditions .................................. 66 Table 4: Summary of water quality data ........................ 68 Upper Green Bay Areawide Water Quality Management Plan ......... 69 Marinette Sewer By-Passing Correction Program .................. 69 Menominee Combined Sewer Overflow EliminatiodCorrection Program . 70 Sediment Quality ....................................... 70 Table 5: Menominee River Sediment Sampling. 1992 ............... 70 CHAPTER m: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ............................ 72 IMPAIREDUSES ............................................ 72 Degradation of Benthos ................................... 72 Restrictions on Dredging Activities ........................... 74 Degraded Fish Habitat .................................... 74 Fish Consumption Advisories ............................... 76 Table 6: Summary data of annual PCB loads .................... 76 Total And Partial Body Contact Restrictions ..................... 76 WATER QUALITY ........................................... 78 Dissolved Oxygen ....................................... 78 Urban Polluted runoff ..................................... 80 BIOTA AND HABITAT ....................................... 82 Wetlands ............................................. 82 Green Island ........................................... 84 Snapping Turtle Contaminant Data ............................ 86 Mussels .............................................