According to the Detroit Free Press, a major mudslide on Oct. 31 that sent tons of coal ash and other debris from We Energies coal plant in Milwaukee into Lake Michigan has finally received an environmental assessment. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the coal ash will have little effect on environmental health and none on human health.
The announcement follows a series of testing conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, which found slightly elevated levels of chromium and arsenic on the land near Lake Michigan. Water samples tested for slightly elevated levels of iron and aluminum. Here are some facts about other environmental problems and clean up efforts related to Lake Michigan:
* In 2007, BP's oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana announced plans to dump much more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan to aid with their expansion, reported the Chicago Tribune.
* The move by BP was met with heavy criticism, with opponents saying in contradicting years of efforts to clean up the lake, despite the fact Indiana regulators said it would help support 80 new jobs.
* Environmental Leader reported the EPA requested BP take responsibility for financing cleanup efforts in Lake Michigan as a way to help ease concerns from policy makers and the public as related to its increased ammonia and sludge discharge.
* Overall, the EPA offered seven alternatives to BP to help with these efforts, including paying for sewer upgrades in nearby towns and diverting the refinery's wastewater to municipal treatment plants.
* The S.S. Badger, the last coal-powered steamship ferry, is continuing to push for an exemption from the EPA and the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow it to keep dumping waste coal ash into Lake Michigan, reported the Daily Tribune.
* In 2009, U.S. Steel's Gary Works took steps to stop a benzene leak into the lake by using a $1.4 million treatment system, according to Chicago Breaking News.
* The Gary Works revealed shortly before that it had been leaking benzene for several years most likely from a former tank farm.
* Lake Scientist noted in March the EPA continued to investigate sewage discharge that spilled into Lake Michigan and Chicago waterways as a result of intense storms.
* From 2007 to 2010, nearly 19 billion gallons of polluted water has entered the Lake with only 12 billion gallons entering between 1985 and 2006.
* According to Yahoo! News, in October, the EPA noted it would grant $1.1 million for Lake Michigan restoration projects that help address environmental problems while supporting jobs for unemployed people.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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