Damage response, Habitat restoration

Overview

On August 12, 13, and 14, 2019, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and National Park Service (NPS), investigated and discovered the occurrence of a significant fish die-off in the East Branch Little Calumet River (EBLCR), Burns Harbor, Port County, Indiana. On August 15, 2019, IDEM was notified by ArcelorMittal that they had exceeded their total cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen effluent limitations because of a catastrophic failure of a valve within the plant’s blast furnace wash water recycle process. The release of millions of gallons of untreated water killed fish, closed beaches, marinas, a portion of the EBLCR, and adjacent waters in Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes National Park.

Administrative Record Index

East Branch Little Calumet River Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Administrative Record Index

Facilities

Picture of the Indiana Ecological Services Field Office building
Indiana Ecological Services Field Office
We are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office working to protect and conserve endangered, threatened and rare species, migratory birds, inter-jurisdictional fish and their habitats in Indiana, and ensuring compliance with federal wildlife laws such as the Endangered Species Act. Our strategy for...
Conservation Office
Bloomington,IN

Contact

Programs

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA
Wading bird stands in oil damaged marsh.
We provide national leadership in the protection and restoration of fish, wildlife, and habitats that have been threatened or injured by oil discharges, releases of hazardous substances, or other emerging contaminants of concern.
Program
Baileys Crossroads,VA