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Menominee River Area
Lower Menominee River Area of Concern
In the 1980s, the United States and Canadian governments identified 43 places in the Great Lakes region that had severe, long-term environmental problems. These places are called Areas of Concern (or AOCs). People in federal, state, and provincial government environmental remediation programs are working to address the problems in these areas. Funding and expert guidance are provided to AOCs to help local groups, known as Public Advisory Councils (PACs), work on these environmental problems, as well.
The Lower Menominee River is one of the twelve remaining AOCs located in Michigan and is shared with the state of Wisconsin. A lot of work has gone into restoring the river, and conditions will continue to improve over time. However, fish consumption guidelines will continue to exist here and elsewhere. Michigan lakes and rivers are improving thanks to federal and state environmental rules and the hard work of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and caring citizens - including those who have long participated in the Lower Menominee River Citizens’ Advisory Committee, but it will take many years for these chemicals to completely leave the ecosystem and the fish. MDHHS will continue to monitor the fish and issue guidelines for the Menominee River, Green Bay, and Lake Michigan as needed. These guidelines and guidelines for other Michigan lakes and rivers can be found in the Eat Safe Fish Guide.
Eat Safe Fish
- Check the Eat Safe Fish Guide to find the fish consumption guidelines for the Menominee River.
- Eat Safe Fish from Areas of Concern - For more information about Areas of Concern and the Fish Consumption Beneficial Use Impairment.
Learn more about our partners and the Lower Menominee River Area of Concern:
- Michigan Great Lakes Area of Concern Program
- Lower Menominee River Area of Concern (WDNR website)
- EPA Area of Concern
- MDHHS/EGLE Menominee River White Paper & Staff Report
To get free print copies of any of these flyers or brochures, please call MDHHS at 1-800-648-6942.