13
§ Fall/Winter 2005: Initiate implementation of remedy.
Funding: Sediment remediation under the Great Lakes Legacy Act will require a non-federal
cost share of 35 percent. The City of Waukegan has expressed some interest in providing a
portion of this funding, but given the estimated $15M-$20M price tag of sediment remediation
additional funds may be required. U.S. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)
has committed $135,000 in funding to support additional sampling and analysis in the harbor,
and an evaluation of disposal and treatment options for the sediments. An additional $500,000
may be needed from GLNPO and the state to complete evaluation and design work at the site.
Policy/Permitting: Several policy and permitting decisions will be required at the state and local
levels prior to remedy implementation. Any delays in making these decisions may substantially
delay the process. The federal, state, and local agencies need close coordination in order to
avoid delays.
Technical Review: Many documents will be produced prior to remedy implementation. These
documents will require review by a number of state and federal agencies. Staff level personnel
at the cooperating agencies have agreed to expedite technical reviews of work plans and reports.
Management involvement may be necessary to ensure proper prioritization of workload.
2. Addressing Other Beneficial Use Impairments
There is a need to address the BUIs that are not related to contaminated sediments, such as beach
closings, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton
populations. Clear targets and monitoring data are both necessary in order to get to the delisting
stage. GLNPO is facilitating pilots and workshops to share their results on setting targets and
moving through the delisting process. Watershed work planned for the Waukegan River will help
define status and need for further action.
B. Mutual Environmental Interests
1. Lake Michigan
The State of Illinois, under the leadership of Governor Blagojevich, and U.S. EPA, through
Administrator Levitt, are cooperative conveners in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a
multi-jurisdictional partnership to restore and protect the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes.
This collaborative effort is an outgrowth of Executive Order 13340 signed by President George
W. Bush on May 18, 2004. The framework and schedule for the Collaboration calls for the
development of a strategic plan during the calendar years 2004 and 2005 through a network of
eight strategy teams with membership from a broad spectrum of constituencies and stakeholders.
Building on the myriad of program activities and historical knowledge developed through prior
Great Lakes efforts such as U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office, the bi-national
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada, Region 5 and Illinois EPA (and other
collaborators) will actively participate in execution of the Framework for Great Lakes Regional
Collaboration, yielding the successful development and implementation of a national strategic
plan for the restoration and long term preservation of the Great Lakes.
2. Mercury Reduction
Both Region 5 and Illinois EPA place a high priority on reducing mercury in the environment,
