Amy Keranen
KeranenA@michigan.gov
906-337-0389
This web page is intended to provide residents and other interested parties with information regarding recent and on-going investigations and response activities related to historic mining-related industrial operations along the western shoreline of Torch Lake. The work is being conducted by the EGLE Remediation and Redevelopment Division's Upper Peninsula District Office.
This project presents a unique and complex setting for environmental investigation and risk management. It has been the subject of numerous studies and response activities over the last 30 years, but a comprehensive evaluation of environmental issues, implemented response actions, remaining risks, and future needs have not been undertaken until recently.
Copper mining was extensive in the Keweenaw from the mid-1800s and formed the backbone of the regional economy and society. Copper ore milling and smelting operations were conducted from the mid-1860s to the 1960s, including the importation and reprocessing and smelting of various scrap metals in the later years of operation. Consistent with past industrial practices, Torch Lake served as dumping grounds for virtually all mining industry related waste products produced, including tailings, slag, and various chemicals. It is estimated that at least 20 percent of the Torch Lake's volume was filled with tailings and other waste products.
The environmental legacy resulting from over 100 years of mining led to Torch Lake and its western shoreline to be designated as a superfund site by the US EPA and a Great Lakes Area of Concern by the US/Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The US EPA undertook cleanup activities to address some of the byproducts of the mining industry while others were not addressed or left to recover through natural processes.
EGLE is addressing some of the remaining concerns in Houghton County not addressed by the US EPA's Torch Lake Superfund Site project. The focus is on mining-era wastes, chemical containers and residues historically discarded in or near Torch Lake that include:
Review the User Guide to the data viewer.
The data viewer allows users to view information about environmental contamination along the western shore line of Torch Lake being investigated by EGLE. Note that the evaluation provided in the data viewer is based on EGLE Criteria at the time of Project completion and that samples described in the evaluation may actually refer to stamp sands or to other mining waste from the historic mining and reclamation processes conducted in the area.
Due to the complex nature and very large area the areas being addressed were prioritized as follows and are depicted on the map: Calumet & Hecla Lake Linden Operations Area (CHLL), C&H Tamarack City Operations Area (CHTC), Quincy Mining Company Mason Operations Area (QMCM), Quincy Mining Company Portage Operations Area (QMCP), Centennial Mine, Michigan Smelter and Freda/Redridge.
A cooperative investigation and site cleanup effort between EGLE RRD and EPA’s Emergency Response Branch during 2019-2021, resulted in hazardous substances being removed from the nearby recreational trail area of the Julio Scrapyard in Ripley. This summary report for the trail portion of the site gives a good overview of the interim response actions during this timeframe.
Explains why the Project is important and provides a summary of the response activities conducted over the last 30 years.
Provides EGLE’s purpose for conducting the Project.
Identifies conditions that warrant further consideration.
Defines the area and history of cleanup activities.
Identifies actions taken by other State and Federal agencies.
Provides key Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Project planning, investigative findings, and interim response documents for the Calumet and Hecla Lake Linden Operations Area (CHLL), Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area (CHTC), Quincy Mining Company Mason Operations Area (QMCM), and the Quincy Mining Company Portage Operations Area (QMCP).
Provides the evaluation and interpretation of analytical results and findings from previous key investigations completed to create a baseline understanding of conditions in the Calumet and Hecla Lake Linden Operations Area (CHLL), Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area (CHTC) , Quincy Mining Company Mason Operations Area (QMCM), Quincy Mining Company Portage Operations Area (QMCP), and Torch Lake. The incorporation of these findings into the Sampling and Analysis Plans minimized redundancies in data collection and created a more comprehensive approach for assessing potential environmental impacts.
Includes the key prior study documents for the Calumet and Hecla Lake Linden Operations Area.
Includes the key prior study documents for the Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area.
Includes a summary of key prior study documents for the Quincy Mining Company Mason Operations Area.
Includes a summary of key prior study documents and data for the Quincy Mining Company Portage Operations Area.
Includes a summary of key prior study documents for the Calumet and Hecla Centennial Mine Operations Area.
EGLE is committed to informing the community about progress, answering residents' questions, connecting residents to the best health information resources and ensuring accurate information is shared.
Project Newsletters: These newsletters have been widely distributed to share information about investigation findings and planned activities.
Project Open Houses: RRD's Upper Peninsula District Office has held project open houses annually since 2015 to share information and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and meet project staff.
Also, in January 2015, RRD's Upper Peninsula District Office held a meeting to share findings and intended actions with parties interested in a related Torch Lake Integrated Assessment Project supported by Michigan Sea Grant.
Provides an overview of the EGLE RRD Upper Peninsula District Office work completed to date and next steps.
Provides links to other information sources and resources for area residents.
