Great Lakes Legacy Act

Legacy Act Projects

Indiana

Grand Calumet River - West Branch, Hammond
Grand Calumet River - Roxana Marsh, Hammond

Michigan

Black Lagoon, Trenton
Division Street Outfall, Muskegon
Ruddiman Creek & Pond, Muskegon
St. Marys River - Manufactured Gas Plant Site, Sault Ste. Marie
St. Marys River - Tannery Bay, Sault Ste. Marie
Trenton Channel, Riverview

New York

Buffalo River, Buffalo

Ohio

Ashtabula River, Ashtabula
Ottawa River, Toledo

Wisconsin

Hog Island Inlet & Newton Creek, Superior
Kinnickinnic River, Milwaukee

Discharges of toxic substances into the Great Lakes basin have been reduced in the last 20 years, but persistent, high concentrations of contaminants remain in the bottom sediments of some of the rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes. These contaminants have the potential to cause harm to humans, aquatic organisms and wildlife, and there are advisories against consuming the fish from most water bodies around the Great Lakes. These problem harbor and tributary areas in the Great Lakes basin have been identified and labeled as "areas of concern” with 31 of the 43 AOCs located on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes.

To tackle this problem of contamination, and to take a key step toward recovery of these 31 sites, the Great Lakes Legacy Act was signed into law in 2002. The act provides funding to take the necessary steps to clean up contaminated sediment in "Areas of Concern located wholly or partially in the United States," including specific funding designated for public outreach and research components. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office was designated to implement the Legacy Act.

Program Information

This page provides the links to general information about the act, including the official text of the “Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002” and the Final Rule; Notice of Implementation Policy entitled “Implementation of the Great Lakes Legacy Act” (May 2006).

Underway and Completed Projects

Several Great Lakes Legacy Act projects have been completed and several more are currently underway. Learn more about these projects, what has been accomplished, and what the next steps to delisting are at several sites around the Great Lakes.

Information for Applicants

This page provides all of the necessary information to assist you in applying for a Legacy Act project.