en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a $12 million sediment remediation project at the Lake Linden Recreation Area in Michigan's Torch Lake Area of Concern, aimed at cleaning up pollution left by decades of copper mining operations.
The project plans to remove approximately 13,300 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with lead, zinc, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). After dredging is completed, the site will be restored with clean fill and sand. During construction, the Lake Linden campground and marina will remain open, while the beach area will be closed to public access throughout 2026. The EPA advises boaters to avoid active water operation zones.
The project is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and carried out in partnership with Honeywell International Inc. under a cost-sharing plan of the Great Lakes Legacy Act. The EPA and Honeywell will also evaluate future remediation options for the Hubbell Processing Area near Torch Lake.
This effort is part of a broader restoration plan for the Torch Lake Area of Concern, one of 23 U.S. sites designated under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as experiencing severe environmental degradation. Historical copper mining activities, which lasted from the 1840s to 1968, left approximately 200 million tons of mining waste (known as "stamp sands") in and around Torch Lake.
The EPA stated that the cleanup will help advance long-term restoration goals for the watershed. As remediation projects are completed and environmental monitoring shows improvement, restrictions such as fish and wildlife consumption advisories may be reassessed. For stormwater and watershed professionals, this project highlights ongoing efforts to address contaminated sediments and legacy pollution sources affecting water quality in the Great Lakes region.
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