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Great Lakes
Article:
Lake Superior hot spot cleaned up in
Superior but future of funding in question
By Mike Simonson
KUWS 91.3 Superior WI
Posted November 27, 2005
The no swimming sign is down and the Hog Island area
in Superior Bay is clean. Nick Pelletier has the story
of getting rid of a century of pollution.
Sixty thousand tons or 3000 truckloads of mud contaminated
with petroleum products and lead has been taken out of
Hog Island Inlet, a direct connection to Lake Superior.
The cleanup took four months and cost $6.3 million to
clean up. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says it is a long
and important process. “It is essential that we invest
in our environment to do that. For generations people
have depended on Wisconsin’s great natural resources for
industry and jobs, for the health of the ecosystems and
for recreation. Wisconsin is a state where our beautiful
natural outdoor areas are not just an important part of
our economy. They are part of our heritage. In fact they
are part of who we are.” Gary Gulezian is with the Environmental
Protection Agency office in Chicago. He says this is only
the second so-called hot spot to be cleaned up in the
Great Lakes. “Lake Superior will be cleaner because of
the cleanup efforts that we have accomplished here. That
is not all. This cleanup is the cornerstone for other
improvements soon to be underway. Restoration of the inlet,
the stream, and the island itself will provide much-needed
habitat for fish and wildlife. As well as a perfect setting
for birdwatchers, kayakers, fishermen, fisherwomen, walkers
and joggers.” The "No Swimming by order of the Douglas
County Health Department" sign was taken from the
site. Doyle and Gulezian returned it to the Health Department
asking them to recycle it.
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