EPA Begins Cleanup Project at Torch Lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

EPA Begins Cleanup Project at Torch Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

June 15, 2026

CHICAGO (June 15, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started a $12 million cleanup at the Lake Linden Recreation Area in Lake Linden, Michigan. Crews will remove about 13,300 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with lead, zinc, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

While the Lake Linden campground and marina will remain open during the cleanup, there will be no access to the beach area in 2026. Boaters are advised to stay clear of equipment in the water.

After removing the contaminated sediment, workers will restore dredged areas with clean backfill material and sand.

The project is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Honeywell International Inc., the non-federal project partner of the Great Lakes Legacy Act cost-sharing agreement. EPA and Honeywell will also assess cleanup options for a future project in the Hubbell Processing Area of Torch Lake.

The cleanup is part of EPA's ongoing effort to address contamination in the Torch Lake Area of Concern, one of 23 areas in the United States with significant environmental degradation identified under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Copper mining in the region began during the 1840s and continued until 1968. These activities left 200 million tons of waste material-known as stamp sands-within the lakebed of Torch Lake.

As cleanup work is completed and monitoring demonstrates sufficient environmental improvement at this and other remaining projects within the area of concern, restrictions, including fish- and wildlife-consumption advisories, will be reevaluated.

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