Restoration and Renovation Undertakings for Torch Lake Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Torch Lake Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) Focused Feasibility Study is currently underway in two key areas: the Lake Linden Recreational Area and the Hubbell Processing Area. This study, a part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act, is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with state agencies.
The primary goal of the Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study is to contribute to the removal of the Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI). The study focuses on developing remedial alternatives for PCB, lead, and arsenic contaminated sediment, with the aim to improve the lake's ecosystem and make it safe for fish and wildlife consumption.
The study was initiated following a project agreement signed by the EPA with Honeywell International, Inc. on August 20, 2019. Source control work at Torch Lake was completed by Honeywell in fall 2019, and additional sampling took place in summer 2020.
However, the exact completion date of the Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study is not specified in the available information. For the most recent updates on the study's timeline and potential impacts on the Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption BUI, it is recommended to consult directly with EPA regional offices or state environmental departments, such as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
It is important to note that the Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study does not specifically target any BUI(s) beyond the Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption BUI, as mentioned in the provided information.
Meanwhile, the Feasibility Study for the Hubbell Processing Area is anticipated to be complete in 2024, addressing the mining waste abandoned in that area, which is a separate focus from the Torch Lake study.
The Feasibility Study for the Lake Linden Recreation Area is expected to conclude in fall 2023. This marks the first GLLA project agreement signed at the Torch Lake Area of Concern (AOC).
As the Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study progresses, it is hoped that it will lead to significant improvements in the lake's ecosystem, making it safer for both the environment and the local community.
- The Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study aims to address the remediation of contaminated sediment in the lake, including PCB, lead, and arsenic, with the ultimate goal of improving the lake's health-and-wellness aspects and making it safe for fish and wildlife consumption.
- In the realm of environmental science, the study's focus on waste remediation and ecosystem revitalization aligns with broader efforts to promote health-and-wellness for aquatic life and the local community.
- As part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act, the Torch Lake GLLA Focused Feasibility Study's completion could lead to the removal of the Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI), contributing to the sustainability and medical-conditions-related benefits of the lake's ecosystem.
