Updates

Fox River Phase 1 Project Progress:

Dredging of TSCA material at the Fox River Phase 1 Site was completed on Thursday, June 14, 2007. This TSCA removal phase of the dredging was completed ahead of schedule.

After thorough cleaning and decontamination of the processing pad was performed to insure that all TSCA material was removed from the site, dredging and dewatering of the Non-TSCA sediment areas commenced on Monday, June 18, 2007. 

At the present time ten (10) trucks are making five trips each to the landfill per day. Once loaded, each truck will be covered/tarped, the outside surfaces decontaminated (any loose debris removed using brushes, pressure washers, and shovels), then weighed and released for shipment to the landfill for proper disposal.

The trucks are operating Monday through Friday, from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Public Informational Meeting Held on May 9, 2007  Regarding the Targeted Cleanup Near the De Pere Dam

An informal public informational meeting regarding the targeted cleanup near the De Pere Dam was held on May 9, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the De Pere Community Center (600 Grant Street). The construction management team provided an overview of the project and answered questions from a small group of local residents who attended the meeting. NCR Corporation and U.S. Paper Mills Corporation are sponsoring the cleanup that began April 30 and is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2007.

Getting Started

In preparation for the dredging which will begin May 2007, some construction activities were completed at the site in the fall of 2006.

This consisted of construction of specific work areas for the Phase 1 Remedial Action including the removal of small trees and bushes in a 1.5 acre area of the sediment processing area; installation of a heavy plastic liner and asphalt pad to place all the processing equipment; and installation of additional asphalt pads to serve as short-term (less than a day) storage areas for the dredged sediment that will be transported to an off-site landfill. In addition, access roads were constructed to accommodate incoming equipment and to serve as dust-free service roads for trucks hauling processed sediment to the landfills.

Actual dredging will begin on or before May 1, 2007.

Protecting Archaeological Resources

To ensure that important cultural resources are not disturbed during cleanup of the Lower Fox River, an archaeological study of an area in De Pere was done in August 2006 by NCR and U. S. Paper Mills Corporation.

The companies did an extensive archaeological investigation in preparation for dredging of the Lower Fox River in that area. Such a study is required under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). A similar one was done by other paper companies around Little Lake Butte des Morts in 2004 before cleanup began in that area. Area museums, governmental entities, universities and historical societies were invited to participate in the study. The archaeological investigation did not uncover any cultural items in the Phase 1 Project Area.

Governor Doyle Highlights Next Phase of Fox River Cleanup

DE PERE – Governor Jim Doyle kicked off the next phase of cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated sediment in the Lower Fox River adjacent to the DePere Dam on April 19, 2007.

“Wisconsin is home to some of the most beautiful lakes, streams, and scenery in the world,” Governor Doyle said. “As stewards of the great land we’re blessed with, we’re responsible for maintaining and preserving its beauty, and need to take action when areas need cleaning. We’ve worked hard to make sure this project is done right, and as quickly as possible, so that this region – and all of Wisconsin – will see the economic growth that a clean Fox River will bring.”

Governor Doyle thanked the Department of Natural Resources for taking the lead on the state’s behalf, and commended all parties involved for their hard work.