EAST CHICAGO – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and partner organizations encourage those living or working in East Chicago, Hammond, Whiting, and Gary to attend a free open house-style event focused on restoration efforts within the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern (AOC).
Details of the meeting are as follows:
WHAT: Open house for restoration efforts within the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern
(AOC)
WHEN: Thursday, May 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. CDT
WHERE: East Chicago Library Pastrick Branch, main meeting room
1008 W Chicago Ave., (just west of intersection with Indianapolis Blvd.)
East Chicago
IDEM and its partners encourage community members to come anytime during the open house to talk with project and program staff.
Project managers and other experts from multiple federal, state, and local agencies and organizations will be available during the open house to discuss past and ongoing AOC restoration work with community members.
This work, much of which was funded by the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), includes efforts to address contaminated sediments, protect and restore connected habitats and native species, and improve beach water quality. These AOC restoration efforts have been designed to complement other environmental cleanups being undertaken through regulatory programs, such as Superfund.
About the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern The Grand Calumet River Area of Concern (AOC) covers a 94-square mile area of northern Lake County, including portions of Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, and Gary. Historical discharges of pollutants to AOC waterways and other factors caused environmental degradation, which led to its listing as one of 43 Great Lakes AOCs under the U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Cleanup efforts to date have addressed approximately 4 million cubic yards of contaminated sediments and are on track to restore over 1,000 acres of habit. Improvements to human health, the environment, and aesthetics along the corridor due to past, current, and future restoration will provide opportunities for revitalization and reinvestment in AOC communities.
For more information on the AOC, please visit idem.IN.gov/lakemichigan/rap.
About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens to protect Hoosiers and the environment.
