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Legacy Act Projects
Indiana
- Grand Calumet River - West Branch, Hammond
- Grand Calumet River - Roxana Marsh, Hammond
Michigan
- Black Lagoon, Trenton
- Division Street Outfall, Muskegon
- Ruddiman Creek & Pond, Muskegon
- St. Marys River - Manufactured Gas Plant Site, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Marys River - Tannery Bay, Sault Ste. Marie
- Trenton Channel, Riverview
New York
- Buffalo River, Buffalo
Ohio
- Ashtabula River, Ashtabula
- Ottawa River, Toledo
Wisconsin
- Hog Island Inlet & Newton Creek, Superior
- Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee
- Lincoln Creek and Milwaukee River Channel, Glendale & Milwaukee
Program Information - links to general information about the Act
Legacy Act Projects - status of current projects, completed projects, next steps toward delisting
Information for Applicants - applying for GLLA funding
Background
Discharges of toxic substances into the Great Lakes basin have been reduced in the last 20 years, but persistent, high concentrations of contaminants remain in the bottom sediments of some of the rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes.
These contaminants have the potential to cause harm to humans, aquatic organisms and wildlife, and there are advisories against consuming the fish from most water bodies around the Great Lakes.
These problem harbor and tributary areas in the Great Lakes basin have been identified and labeled as "areas of concern (AOCs)"; 31 of the 43 AOCs are on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes.
To tackle this problem of contamination, and to take a key step toward recovery of these 31 sites, the Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) was signed into law in 2002. The act provides funding to take the necessary steps to clean up contaminated sediment in "Areas of Concern located wholly or partially in the United States," including specific funding designated for public outreach and research components. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office was designated to implement the Legacy Act.