DNR Watch
Inside Governor Thompson's DNR
  
The Natural Resource Accountability Project
 
Research Report No. 1
August, 1998
 
Thompson Defends Fox River Polluters 
Against Responsible Cleanup



 
References 
 
1. Clark, J. M. July 27, 1998.  Presentation at Public Program: "Perspectives on PCBs, Public & Ecological Health."  Kimberly. 
2. Paulson, R.  July 21, 1998.  Presentation at Public Program:"Update on the Lower Fox River & Green Bay Cleanup and  Restoration."  Appleton. 
3. USEPA.  July, 1998. "PCBs: Lower Fox R. Impacts"   2 pp. 
4. USEPA.  July, 1997. "EPA's Superfund Role, Lower Fox R. Cleanup"   4 pp. 
5. Fitzpatrick, W. "Wis. Sediment Remediation Program - Past Projects and Future Plans."  Paper Presentation at Sediment   Remediation 95 Conference in Windsor, Ont., 8-10, May 1995. 
6. WDNR.  June 3, 1998.  "Tech. Memo. 2d.  Compilation and Estimation of Historical Discharges of Total Suspended Solids and PCB from Fox River Point Sources. (draft)"  30 pp. 
7. Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Wisconsin Citizen Action. 1998. "Wisconsin Cooperative Campaign Finance Database."   Homepage:  www.wisdc.org 
8. WDNR, Feb. 1988, "Lower Green Bay Remedial Action Plan for Lower Fox R. and Lower Green Bay Area of Concern."  319 pp. 
9. Leighton (Katers), R.  Dec. 20, 1986.  "Letter to Local Leaders" regarding Superfund designation for Fox River.  3 pp. 
10. Wible, L.  Nov. 14, 1989.  Memo to DNR Secy. Besadny: "Assessment of Natural Resource Damage Caused by Discharge of PCBs to the Lower Fox R. and Green Bay, and Assessment of Natural Resource Damages at Other Sites in Wis."  4 pp. 
11. Patterson, D.  Nov. 9, 1990.  Memo to several DNR staff: "Damage Assessment Process for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay  PCB Contamination Problem."  1 p. 
12. Nicotera, R.   Feb. 23, 1991.  Memo to J. LaFontaine, DNR: "EPA Proposed Lawsuit for Cleanup of Green Bay."  1 pp. 
13. LaFontaine, J.  May 14, 1991.  Memo to [DNR] Work Group Members: "Summary of Fox River PCB Conference Call." 
14. Leighton (Katers), R.  July 23, 1991.  Phone Record: Calls to T. Sheffy,  L. Meyer and P. Jopke of DNR.  3 pp. 
15. Baker, B.  Aug. 23, 1991.  Memo to DNR staff:  "Bureau Contact  for Lower Fox River Actions."  1 p. 
16. Wible, L.  Sept. 5. 1991.  Memo to DNR staff:  "Update on the NRDA training by the Dept. of Interior"   1 p. 
17. Allen, P.D.  July 13, 1992.  Memo:  "Record of May 14, 1992 Meeting Between WDNR and U.S. FWS."   3 pp. 
18. Marler, S.   Dec. 9, 1993.  Letter to G. Meyer from U.S. FWS concerning intent to start federal NRDA.  2 pp. 
19. Allen, P.D.  April 1, 1994.  Memo:  "Chronology of U.S. FWS Coordination with WDNR on the Green Bay NRDA."  3 pp. 
20. WDNR, 1992.   Agenda: "Fox River Coalition Organizational Meeting, July 1, 1994 in Appleton."  1 pp. 
21. FRC. 1994.  List: "Fox River Coalition Participants, 1992-94" 
22. Dawson, T.  Jan. 12, 1994.   Letter to Congressman Roth urging support for U.S. FWS and NRDA.   Wis. Dept. of Justice.  3 pp. 
23. FRC. Nov. 14,1994. News Release: "Unique Fox River Cleanup Effort Announced - Contracts Signed, Work is Underway."  2 pp. 
24. EPA. Jan. 24, 1995.  "Approval to Dispose of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)" under Toxic Substances Control Act.  7 pp. 
25. EPA. Release: "Public Informational Meeting on a Proposal to Issue a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Disposal Approval  to WDNR for PCB-Contaminated Sediments in Wis."  6 pp. 
26. WDNR.  Jan. 30, 1997.  News Release: "State Paper Companies to Provide $10 Million to Begin Fox River Restoration."  2 pp. 
27. State of Wis.  Jan. 31, 1997. "Agreement Between the State of Wis. and Certain Companies Concerning the Fox River."  15 pp. 
28. USFWS.  April 22, 1997.  Memo:  "Background Information for the Green Bay NRDA."  5 pp. 
29. EPA.  June 18, 1997.  News Release:  "EPA to Accelerate Cleanup of Fox River."  3 pp. 
30. Thompson, T.  July 3, 1997.  Letter to D.Ullrich, USEPA.  4 pp. 
31. Thompson, T.  July 9, 1998.  News release:  "Governor Criticizes  EPA Decision on Fox River."  1 pp. 
32. EPA.  July 9, 1998. "EPA Proposes Lower Fox R. for NPL; Comment Period to be Published in Federal Register."  2pp. 
33. Campbell, S. July 10, 1997. "EPA:  State's Resistance to SuperfundUnusual."  Article in Green Bay Press Gazette
34. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. 1997. "Wis. BusinessGuide." 
35. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce - Homepage: www.wmc.org 
36. Thompson, T. 1996. "Power to the People."  HarperCollins Publisher 
37. Deloitte & Touche --- Homepage: www.dtcg.com 
38. Remediation Technologies (ReTec) - Homepage: www.retecinc.com 
39. Thermo Electron Corporation --- Homepage: www.thermo.com 
40. Thermo Fibertek Inc. ---Homepage: www.thermofibertek.com 
41. W.F. Baird & Associates --- Homepage: www.baird.com 
42. Triangle Research Economics (TER) --- Homepage: www.ter.com 
43. Exponent (formerly PTI) --- Homepage: www.exponent.com 
44. Entrix Environmental Consultants --- Homepage:  www.entrix.com 
45. Campbell, S.  Aug. 2, 1998. "Assessment of PCB Danger Key to Fox River Clean-up."  Green Bay Press Gazette.  Page A-4. 
46. Limno-Tech, Inc. --- Homepage: www.limno.com 
47. HydroQual, Inc. --- Homepage: www.hydroqual.com 
48. Blasland, Bouck & Lee, Inc. --- Homepage: www.bbl-inc.com 
49. Fox River Group.  May 22, 1998.  News release:  "Study Details Failure of EPA's Dredging at Manistique Harbor."  2 pp. 
50. Foth & Van Dyke ---Homepage: www.foth.com 
51. Wis. Public Interest Research Group. May 21, 1998.  Press Release: "Opponents of Superfund Gave $96 Million in PAC Contributions to Congressional Candidates."   Full text on Internet: homepage: www.pirg.org/enviro/toxics/superfund/pac98. 
52. Peterson, H. & J. Mau.  June 9, 1998.  Letter to the Outagmie Co. Board from the Realtors Association of Northeast Wisconsin Inc.  1 p. 
53. Hirsch, C.  June 6, 1997.  Letter & Summary to Public Forum Committee.   Wis. Dept. of Justice.  4 pp. 
54. EPA.  1998.  Notice for April 27 Public Presentation: "Restoring the Lower Fox:  Perspectives on PCBs and Public Health." 1 p. 
55. WDNR.  April 2, 1998.  News Release: "Statement from DNR Secy. Meyer - cancellation of April 27 public health session."  1 pp. 
56. Outagmie County Board.  June, 1998.   Resolution No. 24-1998-1999, opposing Superfund listing for Fox River.  3 pp. 
57. Associated Press.  Feb. 21, 1997. Newspaper article:  "Fish-eating  Rules Specific.  Safety Advice Spelled Out."   1pp. 
58. WDNR & Wis. Div. of Health.  1998. "Important Health Information for People Eating Fish from Wisconsin Waters." PUB No. FH82498Rev.    54 pp. 
59. Tilden, et al, 1997.  "Health Advisories for Consumers of Great Lakes Sport Fish: Is the Message Being Received?" (Draft)     Wisconsin Bureau of Public Health. 
60. WDNR.  Feb. 19, 1997.  News Release: "Updated Fish Consumption Advisory Available."  4 pp. 
61.  Dehring, T.&C. Krueger. 1987. "Lake Trout - L. Mich. Game Fish Life History."  PUBL-FM-101 87REV  DNR Factsheet.  2pp. 
62.  WDNR.  June 25, 1987.  News Release concerning duck-eating advisory in Northeast Wisconsin.  6 pp. 
63.  Knight, Joe, July 14, 1998, "Landfill Study Vetoed; Lack of Funds Blamed." article from the Eau Claire Leader Telegram
64.  Kleinert, S.  1976.  "The PCB Problem in Wisconsin"  WDNR.  46 pp. 
65.  Dawson, T.  Sept. 8, 1994.  Memo to FRC Investigation File No. D94090705. "Fox River Coalition Status Report."   2 pp. 
66.  Sather, A.  April 7, 1994.  Letter to T. Dawson, Wisconsin Public Intervenor:  "Re:  Fox River Natural Resource Damage Assessment."   Michael, Best & Friedrich, Attorneys at Law.  2 pp 
67.  WDNR.  1992.  "Draft PAC Recommendations for Funding Sediment Remediation and other Remedial Actions on the Fox River."  RAP Public Advisory Committee.  1 pp. 
68.  Mercurio, J.  Sept. 27, 1995.  Letter to R. Katers from WDNR inviting her to join the Fox River Coalition.   2 pp. 
69.  Katers, R.  Undated memo.   Response to J. Mercurio's 9/27/95  letter for R. Katers & A. Rasch:  "Should Environmentalists Join the FRC?"   Distributed at  FRC meeting: 1 pg. 
70.  Allen, P.D.  Feb. 1, 1994.  Record of Phone Conversation: "Fox River/Green Bay NRDA - Ft. Howard."  1 pp. 
71.  Thompson, T.  May 7, 1998.   Letter to T. Fields, EPA Acting Asst. Admin., opposing Superfund listing for Fox River.   1 p. 
72.  Montgomery Watson --- Homepage: www.mw.com 
73.  GranTek Inc. --- Homepage: www.grantekinc.com 
74.  Thermo Fibergen -- Homepage: www.thermo.com/subsid/tfg.html 
75.  Kerhin, B.  April 12, 1998.  "PCB Count More Than Thought."  Green Bay News Chronicle
76.  Hildebrand, S.  Aug. 4, 1998.  "Thompson May Put Off Fox Talks."  Green Bay Press Gazette
77.  Campbell, S.  Aug. 11, 1998.  "Company Won't Take PCB Soil." Green Bay Press Gazette
78 . Kerhin, B. April 23, 1998.  "Divided Parties Try to Ward Off EPA."  Green Bay News Chronicle
79.  Culhane, E.  Feb. 19, 1998.  "EPA to Fund Study of Fox."   The Post-Crescent. 
80.  Campbell, S.  April 25, 1998.  "Cancellations Leave Just One Speaker on PCBs."  Green Bay Press Gazette
81.  Vitale, B.  June 5, 1998.  "Are the Fish Safe to Eat or Not?"  Green Bay News Chronicle
82.  Erickson, D.  July 4, 1998.  "Money for Nothing?" Post-Crescent


Report Sections 

The Purpose of this Report  

Twelve Years of Delay - A Fox River Clean-up Timeline 

Deals, Consultants, Paper Industry Allies, and Tourism 
 
The Health Risks of PCBs and Landfilling Contaminated Sludge 
 
Legislative Connections, Paper Company Economics, and Industry Control of the Process 

The Fed's Step In 

Conclusions and Recommendations 
 
The Paper Money Trail - Political Campaign Contributions to the Governor 
 
DNR Report Study Methods 

References 
 
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