Feds, local officials pledge $450M to dredge out Milwaukee waterways
Fox News
Officials at the federal, state and local levels have agreed to invest $450 million into a dredging project aimed at clearing contaminated sediment from Milwaukee's waterways.
The project calls for removing almost 2 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the harbor and 12 miles of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers.
Industrial activities in the region have left the sediment polluted with PCBs, petroleum compounds and heavy metals, including mercury, lead and chromium, according to the EPA. Removing the sediment will lead to improved water quality, healthy fish and wildlife and better recreational opportunities, agency officials said.
Critically endangered whale seen off California coast: 'Every sighting is incredibly valuable to us'
In a rare sighting recently, the endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the coast of California by a marine wildlife team near Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.