Overview

Dredging and processing operations resumed on April 18 and concluded for the 2011 season in mid-August. Capping and covering operations started on May 2 and wrapped up on October 31. Planning and design work is taking place for 2012 operations.   

The Fox River Cleanup Project, designed to reduce risk to human health and the environment due to the presence of PCBs in Fox River sediment, is a multi-year cleanup effort that includes dredging, capping and covering. 

The project officially started with dredging and processing on April 28, 2009. 

The Lower Fox River Remediation LLC, created by Appleton Papers Inc. and NCR Corporation, is funding the cleanup on the 13.3 mile stretch of the Fox River from Little Rapids to the bay.   

Click here to view an overview video of the Fox River Cleanup Project.

Click here for the latest update on the Fox River Cleanup Project.

Dredging

Dredging involves removing sediment from the riverbed. The sediment is dewatered and the resulting filter cake material is transported by truck to a landfill. 

Capping

Capping and sand covering involves adding cover above PCB containing sediment by placing sand and gravel on the river bottom. Capping and covering further prevents the PCBs from being released into the river. The thickness of the caps vary from a six inch sand cover to a 33 inch cover of sand, gravel and quarry stone.

Facilities

As part of the Fox River Cleanup Project, a processing facility was constructed along the river in Green Bay where dewatering, sediment processing and water treatment take place.

A staging facility is located between Little Rapids and De Pere to support the pipeline to the spreader barge and manage capping and covering materials. Contaminated sediment will be handled only at the Green Bay Processing Facility.   

Transportation

A Transportation Plan has been developed that outlines primary and secondary routes for trucking processed sediment for disposal.   

Safety

Throughout the project, safety is a top priority. Rigorous health and safety plans are in place for all aspects of the project, including safety on the river for project workers as well as boaters, anglers and other recreational river users.  

The project has now topped 941,000 work hours without a lost time accident. (Trucking hours are not included in that figure.)

You can reach the Fox River Cleanup Group at 877-FOX-RIVR (369-7487) or info@foxrivercleanup.com.