News Releases from Region 05

EPA and U. S. Steel to discuss proposed Great Lakes Legacy Act cleanup plan for Spirit Lake site

DULUTH, MINN. – (Aug. 22, 2016) On Thursday, Aug. 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Steel will hold a public information meeting about a proposed cleanup plan for the U. S. Steel Duluth Works/Spirit Lake site.

The public meeting will be held at Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Ave. W. An open house session with posters explaining the project will begin at 3 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a formal presentation of the cleanup plan at 6 p.m. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions after the presentations.

EPA is accepting comments until Sept. 25. Comments should be submitted in writing to: Scott Cieniawski, Great Lakes National Program Office (G-17J) - EPA Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604-3590; or email to cieniawski.scott@epa.gov. Documents related to the proposed plan are available at West Duluth Public Library, 5830 Grand Ave.

Sediment in Spirit Lake near the former U. S. Steel Duluth Works on the St. Louis River was polluted with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals left over from the area’s industrial past. EPA and U. S. Steel are working together through the Great Lakes Legacy Act to complete the sediment cleanup project. EPA is also coordinating with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to ensure that the proposed remedy meet both state and federal requirements for the projection of human health and the environment.

For more information about the proposed cleanup plan, visit www.epa.gov/st-louis-river-bay-aoc/spirit-lake-legacy-act-cleanup.

For more information about the Great Lakes Legacy Act, visit www.epa.gov/great-lakes-legacy-act.