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Initial phase of Bay Harbor Lake study completed

Release Date: 06/05/2006
Contact Information: Mick Hans, (312) 353-5050, hans.mick@epa.gov; Stuart Hill, (312) 886-0689, hill.stuart@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA092

CHICAGO (June 5, 2006) - Preliminary results of a new study jointly sponsored by government and Tribal agencies, non-profit organizations and private entities show no evidence of cement kiln dust (CKD) or contaminated CKD leachate near the shoreline of Bay Harbor Lake, within the Bay Harbor Resort near Petoskey, Mich.

Environmental consultants conducted the work May 9 to 14, 2006. All water quality measurements showed normal conditions.

Michigan surface water quality standards require surface water pH to be between 6.5 - 9.0 standard units for human contact and aquatic ecosystem protection. All pH samples collected in the Bay Harbor Lake study ranged from 7.77 to 8.32 standard units. The study involved 447 water quality measurements at 407 locations spread across two miles of shoreline. Measurements were collected near shore at depths of up to 18 inches and from boats offshore in water as deep as 14 feet. Eight storm water drains were also sampled, with the results in a comparable pH range.

Beginning this week, a New Jersey-based EPA dive team will conduct an underwater survey to evaluate the deeper portions of Bay Harbor Lake. Once all study activities have been completed, a comprehensive report will be issued.

Interim measures and study by CMS Energy to address contamination in Little Traverse Bay began in 2005 under EPA oversight and are continuing. These measures will address highly alkaline CKD releases above 12.0 standard units identified along the Bay Harbor Resort shoreline, on Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. Long-term containment and remediation steps will be overseen by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Links to the preliminary May 2006 Bay Harbor Lake Assessment and other information are at www.epa.gov/region5/sites/littletraverse/index.htm, and may be found at Web sites managed by CMS Energy, Bay Harbor Resort, Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Michigan Department of Community Health.