The Catch took a look at the largest project ever funded under a Great Lakes cleanup program. The aim is to remove contaminated sediments from a polluted hotspot in Milwaukee. Wisconsin Public Radio’s Danielle Kaeding has the story.
“Federal environmental regulators announced roughly $450 million for this cleanup effort, and that would remove around 2 million cubic yards of contaminated sediments, which the EPA says is about the equivalent of 610 Olympic sized swimming pools,” Kaeding said.
The sediments will be dredged from the Milwaukee Harbor and three rivers in the surrounding area, according to the EPA. Funding comes from federal, state, county, and municipal sources, and Danielle says that’s a significant step toward cleaning up the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern, which includes part of the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic rivers.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Wisconsin agency’s expanded mission led to record $450 million investment in Milwaukee waterways
Federal, local officials agree on $450 million deal to clean up Milwaukee waterways
