Beach Status Update

Beach clean up efforts continued today with the focus on consolidating wood piles and burning natural wood debris. Jim Matthis, Street Department Superintendent, is coordinating efforts starting on the west end of the beach and working eastwards, using additional part-time assistance. It is hoped that larger, hotter fires will allow for a cleaner, more complete burn of the wood.

The Town Council considered options other than burning the wood. One of the only other options would be to haul away the debris, which would impact the environment as well. Think of the hundreds and hundreds of dump-truck loads that would be needed to haul it all away, plus the fuel spent and air pollution emitted. A special Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) permit had to be obtained before the burning could commence.

To keep the burning efforts under control, the Town Council has placed a temporary ban on beach fires until further notice.

None of these efforts could be taking place right now without the assistance of more than 125 volunteers who showed up on Saturday, September 20 to clean up garbage and begin stacking wood. Some areas of the beach still need a great deal of work, but it is looking far better than it did last Friday. Residents should be proud of their efforts, which were lauded last Saturday evening as the lead story on WBBM Newsradio 78.

Unfortunately, what can't be seen can also harm you. Based on samples taken Monday, September 22, E. coli readings are still far above recommended levels for swimming. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), E. coli counts on the far east end are 866 colonies per 100 milliters of water; and around Accessway #5 it is 613 colonies per 100 milliters of water. The Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit for swimming is 235 colonies per 100 milliters of water. It is recommended that you not use the beach for swimming or wading until further notice.

USGS staff members are also analyzing the sand for E. coli counts and will inform the Town on those numbers as well.

You should also be aware that several used syringes were found during the beach clean up. Use caution when walking on the beach.

Town officials are also coordinating efforts with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and will let you know of plans pertaining to the Portage Lakefront Site and West Beach as soon as information is available.