The Fox River Cleanup Project is designed to reduce risk to human health and the environment due to the presence of PCBs in Fox River sediment, It's a multi-year cleanup effort that includes dredging, capping and covering over a 13-mile stretch of the Lower Fox River.
The project officially started with dredging and processing on April 28, 2009.
Latest update on the Fox River Cleanup Project.
View the Fox River Cleanup Project overview video.
Operations for 2017 began on March 20. This year's operations also include divers working to mark and dresge near utility lines that run under the Fox River. They are currently working in the area near the Mason Street (Tilleman) Bridge.
Boaters are reminded that it is unlawful "for any boat or water skier to operate or approach closer than 100 feet to any diver's flag or any swimmer ulness the boat is part of the diving operation or is accompanying the swimmer."
Two flags are used to designate diver areas:
Dredging involves removing sediment from the riverbed. The sediment is dewatered and the resulting filter cake material is transported by truck to a landfill.
Capping and sand covering involves adding cover above PCB containing sediment by placing sand and gravel on the river bottom. Capping and covering further prevents the PCBs from being released into the river. The thickness of the caps vary from a six inch sand cover to a 33 inch cover of sand, gravel and quarry stone.
As part of the Fox River Cleanup Project, a processing facility was constructed along the river in Green Bay where dewatering, sediment processing and water treatment take place.
A staging facility is located in Ashwaubenon to support the pipeline to the spreader barge and manage capping and covering materials. There is no contaminated sediment at the staging area. Contaminated sediment is handled only at the Green Bay Processing Facility.
A Transportation Plan is in place outlining primary and secondary routes for trucking processed sediment for disposal.
Throughout the project, safety is a top priority. Rigorous health and safety plans are in place for all aspects of the project, including safety on the river for project workers as well as boaters, anglers and other recreational river users.
As of mid May, the Fox River Cleanup Project has topped 2,224,400 work hours without a lost time incident. The project has surpassed 3,315 safe work days.
You can reach the Fox River Cleanup Group at 877-FOX-RIVR (369-7487) or firstname.lastname@example.org.
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