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National Priorities Listing Proposal Announcement
| Action: | Proposal to add the Lower Fox River, Wisconsin, on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a roster of the nation's hazardous waste sites eligible for investigation and cleanup under a Federal program called Superfund. |
| Proposal Information: |
As a result of papermill operations, surface water, sediments,
and fish from the Fox River have become contaminated with polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs were used in the manufacture of carbonless copy
paper between 1957 and 1971. Several human studies have shown that exposure
to PCBs via fish and game consumption has adverse health consequences.
Negative health effects from PCB exposure include: impacts on the nervous,
immune, circulatory, and hormonal systems, and liver, brain, and skin
disorders. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
classifies PCBs as probable human carcinogens. They adhere to the sediments
and remain in the environment over time. The potential exposure of the
270,000 people who live in the communities along the river to the PCBs
in the river and fish prompted U.S. EPA to propose the Lower Fox River
for inclusion on the NPL. This listing addresses the contamination for the Lower Fox River beginning on the Neenah Channel and Menasha Channel sections of the Fox River, 38.2 miles upstream from Green Bay, and including, at a minimum, 21.5 miles into the bay. |
| Effective Date: | July 28, 1998 |
| Public Comments: |
Public comments on the proposed listing will
be accepted until September 28, 1998. There will be no public hearing.
The Federal Register Notice can be obtained off the internet at http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html.  To
submit comments, note the site name and mail an original and three copies
of your comments (no faxes or tapes) to:
Comments may also be e-mailed in ASCII format to: superfund.docket@epa.gov |
| Availability Sessions: |
U.S. EPA will be available to answer questions regarding the Lower Fox River proposed listing during informal, open house-style meetings. The date and locations will be announced soon. |