United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Ruddiman Creek and Pond remediation is located in Muskegon, County, Michigan and consists of approximately 2.3 miles of creek, a 21-acre pond, and approximately 39 acres of wetlands adjacent to the pond and creek.  The pond discharges to Muskegon Lake and then to Lake Michigan.  The Ruddiman Creek drainage is approximately 3,000 acres, and includes the cities of Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, and Roosevelt Park.  All four cities have storm sewers contributing the Ruddiman Creek.  The watershed includes properties used for industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational pruposes.  

Currently the main branch of Ruddiman Creek is posted as a No Swimming, Fishing or Recreation Area due in part ot contaminated sediment.  The primary contaminants of concern include cadmium at 25 parts per millions (ppm), chromium at 2,900 ppm, polychlorinated biphenyls at 6 ppm and lead at 1,200 ppm.  

The $10.6 million project is expected to take about nine months and remove approximately 80,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment.  Upon completion of the sediment removal, the creek and pond will be reconstructed and water flow patterns restored.

The project is a joint effort between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO).  This project is being performed under the authority and guidelines provided by the Clean Michigan Initiative of 1998 and the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002.  USEPA Emergency Response Branch is providing assistance by conducting project oversight and providing contract support.

During the week of August 29, 2005 all staging pad construction was completed for the three areas, the pier was backfilled, and background turbidity monitoring continued. Results of the background turbidity readings are posted as a document on the Ruddiman Creek website.  A two foot wier was installed on the downstream side of the pond outlet to raise the pond water level.  The sectional barges were delivered and placed and assembled on the pond.  The dredge excavator and environmental bucket were also mobilized to the site.  The water treatment plant was assembled and is approximately 99% complete. The chain link security fence was delivered and digging of the post holes completed.  Clearing and grubbing of trees and brush was completed from the pier to the primary staging pad.  Crew personnel left site for the holiday weekend.

During the week of September 5, 2005 the following task were completed; Integrity Tree Service began and completed clearing and grubbing of trees and brush in areas G, H & I.  Jackson and Merkey construction installed the 4'culvert in the west branch of Ruddiman Creek and built the road from the pier to the primary staging pad. Approximately 1,600 linear feet of 4' and 3' silt fence was installed on the east shore and south shore of the pond and around the primary staging pad.  All the chain link fence post were set in concrete. Great Lakes Dock and Marine installed three lines of silt curtain across the outlet of Ruddiman pond, installed 3" piling along the west shore for silt curtain support, and dredged approximately 100 cy of sediment in front of the pier.  Approximately 40 cy were dredged the previous week.  Over 3,000 linear feet of pipeline path was cleared and prepared for pipeline installation.  EQ and ER began assembling the 6" pipeline on 9/9/05. Began construction of the access road into areas G,H & I.

During the week of 9/12/05 continue assembling the 6" pipeline and hookup it up to the water treatment plant.  Continue access road construction into G,H, & I.  Conduct the pond survey.  After the pond survey begin dredging pond sediment.  Begin Creek dredging in area H or I possibly before 9/17/05 but more likely during the week of 9/19/05.