Marsh Flooding Investigation Continues

(Click on images for easier viewing.)

Work continues behind-the-scenes to identify reasons for high ground water around Long Lake Marsh and areas of Indian Camp Trail.

Last spring a Task Force was appointed by the Town Council to investigate this issue, which was identified as a problem in January 2007 when water started ponding at the intersection of Diana Court and Diana Road. Around that time several residents also started experiencing various levels of water infiltration in their basements.

Several causes of the high ground water are being explored. It has not yet been determined if there is a single cause or if there are several contributing factors causing the problem.

Precipitation the Biggest Culprit

Most likely the largest contributing factor is precipitation. As you can see from the above chart (click on the photo to enlarge it for better viewing), this area has experienced some unusually high rain and snow events since 2005, exceeding the wetland's ability to absorb and transpire water.

In addition, there are no evident surface outflows from the marsh. All outflow is far below ground, where the water is slowly seeping out rather than flowing out like a river. The effects of high precipitation this past few years, combined with increased run-off resulting from more development, can be evidenced all over Northwest Indiana, ranging from the recent flooding event on the Little Calumet River, to high ground water residents of Beverly Shores have been experiencing for several years.

Backflush Lagoon Cited as a Problem
Another critical area of investigation is the filter backflush lagoon that is owned by the Indiana American Water Co. on Diana Rd. At the urging of the Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board (ODEAB), the company was cited twice by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in the past 1.5 years for unlawful discharge of lagoon water into Long Lake. During the past few years, more than 130,000 gallons of chlorinated water and sediment have been discharged into the lagoon every 24-48 hours after the filtration plant's filters were cleaned.

It's possible that the current state of the lagoon infrastructure may be allowing backflush water to continually infiltrate through the sides and bottom, potentially causing what is known as "ground water mounding" in areas adjacent to the water treatment plant. The only way this can be determined, however, is by looking at data provided by monitoring wells on Long Lake owned by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). However, the data is spotty, with no recorded elevations or data later than 2006.

The Task Force is working to get these wells re-opened, and to get a new well placed in Ogden Dunes. The USGS can do nothing more, however, until necessary funding is obtained. A cost estimate is currently being developed by the USGS in Indianapolis. As soon as that cost estimate is received, the Task Force can start seeking sources of funding.

An outcome of continual communication with IDEM on this matter, which should also be viewed as a pollution violation, is that IDEM is requiring Indiana American Water to replace the current lagoon. Indiana American Water presented their plans to the public at the October 6 Town Council meeting.

An October 28, 2008 e-mail from Hala Kuss, Director of the Northwest Indiana office of IDEM, indicated that a referral has been sent to the IDEM Office of Enforcement requesting that an Agreed Order be prepared that obligates Indiana American to complete corrective actions within a specified time frame. This schedule will be provided to the public as soon as it is received.

At the request of the ODEAB to IDEM, Indiana American Water must also provide information on what will be done with the existing lagoon once it is taken off-line.

It's possible that water chemistry in the marsh and adjacent areas may also be an indicator of ground water infiltration from the lagoon, and that is being undertaken by the Task Force as well. Preliminary tests were run in July, and additional testing to re-confirm these results is being scheduled.

County Line Road Ditches May be a Factor
It's possible, but not yet proven, that lack of maintenance on ditches on the east side of County Line Road, as well as beaver dam construction, may be also be contributing to the problem of high ground water in the area. Task Force members are working with the City of Portage to request funding from Representative Pete Visclosky that will be used to clean the ditches and replace collapsing culverts. The earliest this funding will be received, however, will not be until 2010.

Task Force members include Susan MiHalo, Bill Gregory, Jay Lauritzen, John Hannon and Jim Kopp. Resident Gerry Lehmann has also informally joined the Task Force in the past few weeks. Critically needed technical assistance on this investigation is being provided by Dr. Erin Argyilan, who is a professor in the Geosciences Department at Indiana University Northwest.

We will try to keep you informed as new developments occur, and we apologize for the long duration of the investigation, which is dependent on goodwill and information provided by sources outside the Town's control.

Marsh Restoration Activities to Take Place

Residents should see restoration activities take place on Long Lake Marsh in the next week as part of a federally funded grant project underway.

The Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department (ODVFD), a partner in the project, will burn the cattails and Phragmites in the marsh this fall, depending on weather conditions and personnel availability.

Also dependent on weather conditions, work will begin soon on a vegetated filter strip to be planted around the marsh late next spring. In preparation for that project, a delineated area of turf grass will be herbicided. Signs will be posted as soon as the herbiciding is underway. Residents are urged to keep away from the grass for at least two days after the spraying is completed.

The purpose of burning the cattails and Phragmites, which are taking over the marsh and driving out native species, is to remove the dead matter and discourage re-growth next spring. A more diverse habitat is better suited for wildlife, such as birds, turtles and fish. These invasive plants are also inhibiting recreation, such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking, on the wetland.

A burn was also conducted last April. That burn's purpose was to make the cattails grow lower and thicker this past summer, allowing for more surface area for application of the aquatic plant herbicide completed in August by Aquatic Weed Technologies.

Also as a result of the April burn, the ODVFD was able to provide the value of its equipment and personnel time to the grant project as in-kind match totaling $6,438.28. This is a significant development in the grant project because that value has helped the Town achieve its one-to-one match of $15,700 on this $31,400 grant funded by the Coastal Zone Management Act by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program.

The purpose of the vegetated filter strip is to purify water as it runs off Diana Road and Diana Court into the marsh. Certain native plants, such as grasses, sedges and shrubs, can help filter water and prevent sedimentation in the marsh. Native Connections, a restoration and native seed company out of Three Rivers, MI, has been selected to develop and implement the vegetated filter strip, which is also known as a "stormwater best management practice."

Town Survey Results Discussed at EAB Meeting

At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 15, the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) noted the amount of interest by residents in improving air and water quality in the area.

While nearly 80 percent of residents agree or strongly agree that the town is adequately protecting the environment within its borders, 54.6 percent of residents indicated that the town could be doing a better job of addressing air quality issues produced by neighboring industries.

Residents feel slightly better about water quality issues with 40.2 percent of the survey respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that Ogden Dunes is doing a sufficient job of addressing water quality issues produced by neighboring industries.

Air and water pollution issues, as well as beach clean up issues, were also frequently cited in the open-ended question that asked respondents to indicate priorities the Town Council should be focusing on.

At the meeting, EAB members discussed strategies for addressing these issues and making sure the public knows about its efforts. Members offered to speak at meetings of civic groups, such as the Lions Club, and Susan MiHalo continues to build a list of residents who receive information through http://www.odeab.blogspot.com/.

EAB members decided that one of the first things that needs to be accomplished is to strengthen their contact list with key industries. Mark Coleman, who is responsible for monitoring permits and violations at Precoat Metals, agreed to find an environmental contact at that plant. Susan MiHalo has ongoing contact with Jim Biancotti at U.S. Steel Midwest, and sits on the Citizens Advisory Board of Arcelor Mittal. Jim Petsas is responsible for monitoring Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) violations that impact beach water quality.

Bob Cattani continuously monitors AMROX permits and whether or not that plant is complying with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement order on clean air violations settled in 2006. According to EPA, AMROX failed to properly control hazardous hydrochloric acid and chlorine emissions from three facilities it owns, including the Portage plant. The company also failed to get a state operating permit for its Portage plant.

As part of that settlement, AMROX is required to complete odor impact and health risk assessments in the Portage area and implement any measures recommended by the studies. This is important because hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure may cause chronic bronchitis and skin problems. Chlorine is an irritant to the eyes, upper respiratory tract and lungs. At higher levels of exposure, it is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause severe burns.

During the meeting, Bob Cattani expressed frustration with EPA in providing updated information on the AMROX settlement and environmental projects. According to Cattani, apparently AMROX is not providing reporting in an electronic format, which makes it difficult for EPA to place the information on the Internet. Before the EAB resorts to filing a Freedom of Information Act request, Susan MiHalo agreed to find out if her contacts at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) might be able to provide assistance on this matter.

EAB members strongly encourage residents to file pollution complaints with IDEM either through the Internet or by telephone. This may be accomplished by visiting http://www.in.gov/idem/5275.htm or by calling the Complaint Coordinator at (800) 451-6027 ext.24464. Filing complaints is helpful in tracking incidents and bringing greater attention to resident issues by IDEM. Information on the IDEM pollution complaints program was also covered in http://odeab.blogspot.com/2008/10/citizens-file-complaints-about-blast.html.

Also at the meeting, EAB members reviewed the town's recent response to the garbage and refuse disaster on the beach that resulted from the Burns Ditch flooding incident on September 12-13, 2008. Overall, the EAB felt that the town did a good job on informing residents about beach safety and water quality. Susan MiHalo will look into whether or not sediment scoured out of Burns Ditch is being tested for parameters other than E. coli.

The next meeting of the EAB is November 19. The public is invited to attend the meetings, which are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.

(Photo above taken on September 15, 2008 and provided by resident Linda Bulla.)

National Geographic to Feature IDNL!

National Geographic has selected the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to participate in a BioBlitz, a 24-hour inventory of species in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IDNL). On May 15-16, 2009, teams of scientists and naturalists, along with public volunteers, will comb the park’s 15 miles of shoreline and more than 15,000 acres of sand dunes, oak savannas, wetlands, prairies, rivers, and forests to observe and record as many species as possible.

The Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board encourages residents to get involved in this prestigious event, which is being held annually at a National Park until the Centennial of the National Park System in 2016. The IDNL was selected because it is the 5th most biodiverse national park in the entire nation.

Knowing how many and what kind of plants and animals live in the park is the first step toward helping both park managers and the public do a better job of protecting them.

To kick off public interest in the BioBlitz, the public is invited to the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore the Saturday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. for a free program called “Science in the Indiana Dunes…100 Years and Growing.” The program will kick off at 1:00 p.m. with biographer Victor Cassidy highlighting the life and work of Henry Chandler Cowles.

Cowles (1869-1939) was an ecologist, botanist, teacher, and conservationist. At the end of the 19th century, he made hundreds of scientific observations of the sand dune landscapes of southern Lake Michigan. His study demonstrated that the outdoor environment is a dynamic system in which plants, soil, moisture, climate and topography interact.

Following Cassidy’s presentation, IDNL staff will explain the importance of scientific research to present day park management, and will provide more information on how to get involved in the BioBlitz. Home schoolers, educators, gardeners, hikers, children, senior citizens, birders -- anyone who appreciates having the INDL as a neighbor -- are encouraged to participate in the BioBlitz. Additional public meetings on the event will be held on January 17 and April 25, 2009.

IAW to Present at Town Council Meeting

Indiana American Water Co. (IAW) will present information to the public on Monday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. regarding plans to replace the plant residuals lagoon behind their building on Diana Rd. Ken Buczek, who is from the IAW Regional Office, will provide background and up-to-date information on the project, which has been under development for nearly 1.5 years. Replacement of the lagoon became paramount for IAW after the lagoon wall breached at least two times into Long Lake in 2007 and 2008, which is a federally listed, 82-acre wetland.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has been working with IAW to make sure the project is environmentally sound and within Indiana permitting requirements. Questions remain to be answered, however, such as what will happen to the lagoon after it is retired from use.

Please come to the meeting to air your questions and concerns.

Garbage Keeps Landing on Beach

With north winds prevailing the last few days, more garbage and debris has again appeared on Ogden Dunes' beach. The Street Department, with the help of inmates from the Westville Correctional Center, has valiantly tried to keep up with the situation. Town officials ask for your patience while the lake and Burns Ditch continue to clear out from the storms.

Plans from the Army Corp of Engineers to clean up the Portage Lakefront Site and West Beach (and possibly the O.D. beach) are still pending. We will try to keep you apprised as new information is learned.

Citizens File Complaints About Blast Furnace

On Friday, September 26, 2008 several residents contacted the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regarding black smoke and steam, as well as loud noise, coming from the Arcelor/Mittal plant in Burns Harbor.

According to Dave Sampias, IDEM Air Inspector, IDEM is investigating the situation and that this issue occured while Arcelor/Mittal was taking the blast furnace off-line for re-lining. The noise and black air emissions resulted from pressure that needed to be released from out of the top of the furnace. The process of taking a blast furnace off-line must be completed in careful steps for safety reasons. The blast furnace will now be off-line until December. Mr. Sampias did not indicate if any air pollution violations occurred during this incident.

If you ever witness an air or water pollution event, please consider filing a Pollution Complaint with IDEM. This may be accomplished either on-line by visiting http://www.in.gov/idem/5275.htm or by calling the Complaint Coordinator at (800) 451-6027 ext.24464. Spills and environmental emergencies should be immediately reported to IDEM at (888) 233-7745.

When filing a complaint, please provide as much detail as possible about the location of the complaint, when the activity occurred, and what happened. The information submitted may be considered public record and subject to disclosure by IDEM. It may also be submitted anonymously.

For more information on the IDEM Complaints Clearinghouse Program, visit http://www.in.gov/idem/5274.htm.