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(DE PERE) Close to a hundred people listened attentively at a public forum on Saturday as scientists and state and federal officials discussed scientific information and proposals regarding the cleanup of the Fox River. Audience questions and comments, some passionate, followed the panelists’ presentations, and audience participation stretched the forum past the scheduled 2 hours.
Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. sponsored the forum to review the science behind proposals to remove cancer-causing PCBs from the river. Dr. Kagen wants to make certain the clean-up protects human health and does not choke off river navigation.
Jim Hahnenberg of the federal EPA, Chicago office, and Greg Hill of Wisconsin DNR discussed the proposed cleanup plan. It calls for removing some PCBs as well as covering up, or capping, contaminated sediments in the river bottom. Rebecca Katers of the Clean Water Action Council, a long-time proponent of cleaning up the Fox, spoke against capping and called for removing as much of the PCB pollution as possible. Dr. Roger Kuhns, a geologist and hydrologist, made a presentation on the science of covering up PCBs in the river.
"The PCB clean-up in the Fox River will establish a new standard for our nation in how we preserve our waterways and our health,” Dr. Kagen said. “We must not leave our children and grandchildren a legacy of poison. We do not correct our mistakes by burying them."
Boaters, sporting groups and the Fox River System Navigational Authority, which oversees the Fox Locks, have come out in support of Congressman Kagen’s efforts to preserve the river’s navigation channel. The clean-up proposal being considered could have reduced the channel from 18 feet deep to 6 feet deep. A letter to the Congressman from the Navigational Authority says “This impact would be un-acceptable to the Authority.” The letter goes on to say the proposed depth change “limits the draft of vessels, commercial or recreational, that can use the waterway”.
The EPA is expected to announce its decision on a Fox River clean-up plan later this month.
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