Fox River Current
November/December 2004 
Vol. 7, No. 6 
Update from the Lower Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership 

Archaeological Survey Unearths Artifacts

By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

[photo: A toy teacup such as this one is among the artifacts found by 
archaeologists on the shore of Little Lake Butte des Morts. ]

A toy teacup, window glass, square nails, a bottle, 
mortar and brick fragments were among the hundreds 
of historic artifacts found during April's Phase I 
archaeological survey on the shore of Little Lake 
Butte des Morts. 

The survey also resulted in the identification of two 
prehistoric areas. Burned bone fragments found at 
one site may have belonged to prehistoric mammals. 
Other historic artifacts, such as aqua-colored glass 
bottle bases, had markings that made them easier to 
identify. These markings were from a manufacturing 
process that was used in the mid-1800s. According to 
the Phase I report, the glass pre-dates 1858. The 
report also indicated that one site could date back to 
700 B.C. when it may have served as an early 
campsite. It also appears to have supported a farm in 
the mid to late 19th century. 

Another site has been known to artifact collectors for 
nearly 100 years, according to the report. Although 
many pieces have probably been removed, bits of 
pottery and tools were recovered from this area as the 
study was being done. 

A third site served as a small prehistoric campsite 
from 700 B.C. to A.D. 1200. The report said that 
several historic artifacts were found, but were in poor 
condition. Most were architectural pieces such as 
bricks, mortar and nails. 

"These surveys are very helpful to us as we clean up 
the Lower Fox River," said EPA Remedial Project 
Manager Jim Hahnenberg. "They alert us to 
valuable, historical resources which we need to work 
around as we move upriver."

The agencies and companies involved in the cleanup 
project will take care to ensure that if site-related 
activities take place near these historical areas, 
construction actions will not harm them. 
Additionally, a water bottom survey is being 
evaluated to make sure that any in-lake activities do 
not affect any underwater archaeological or historical 
resources. 

An underwater sonar study was also done this year in 
conjunction with this survey. It evaluated the lake 
bottom for the presence of any submerged cultural 
resources that could be affected by future cleanup 
work. Although literature searches did not turn up any 
shipwrecks, the sonar study revealed characteristics 
typical of a vessel hull. The wooden object measures 
about 8 feet by 33 feet and shows evidence of a 
hollow interior. 

The study recommends that one of two strategies be 
used to identify the object or avoid it entirely during 
the cleanup. The first would be to put a 50-foot 
buffer zone around the area where no dredging would 
be allowed. The second would be to have divers 
check the object to find out if it is historically 
important. If it is a historic shipwreck, it should be 
reported to the state Historical Society of Wisconsin. 

"This is a very important find," Hahnenberg added. 
"If it does turn out to be a historic sunken ship, we 
will do everything we can to make sure it is not 
harmed." 

The sonar study also found eight large structures that 
resembled remnants of an old bridge and six wooden 
shapes that suggest an old log/lumber field. To verify 
these assumptions, however, divers may be called in 
to further check the area. 

During the course of the study, 19 sonar contacts were 
thought to be possible historical objects. A summary 
of the report will be available for review at the 
information repositories listed on Page 7. 

[Photo: This glass base dated pre-1858 was recovered 
during the archaeological survey. ]

*  *  *

Natural Resource-Based Public Use Enhancement Projects Underway 
by Colette Charbonneau, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Planning and design began last summer to complete 
the natural resource-based public use projects listed 
in a settlement agreement between Georgia-Pacific 
Corp., through its subsidiary, the Fort James 
Operating Co. and the Fox River/Green Bay Natural 
Resource Trustee Council. 

An implementation plan and schedule were required 
by a legal document called a consent decree between 
the paper company and Department of Interior, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Oneida 
Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, and Menominee Indian 
Tribe of Wisconsin. Construction should start soon 
on a few projects with most of the groundbreaking set 
to begin in spring 2005. 

Because it took longer than expected for a federal 
judge to review the consent decree, the City of De 
Pere's East River Trail Extension project was 
completed with other funds. The trustee council 
agreed to direct the funds associated with this project 
towards the City of De Pere's Fairgrounds Boat 
Launch Improvements project which was not fully 
funded through the agreement. 

You can expect to see several of these projects 
highlighted in the "Spotlight On" section of future 
Fox River Current newsletters: 

 Village of Allouez, Allouez Park acquisition and development 
 Village of Allouez East River Trail extension 
 Village of Ashwaubenon Fox River Riverwalk development 
 Town of Bellevue East River Parkway Trail trailhead facility 
 Town of Bellevue East River Trail extension 
 Brown County L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve facility development 
 City of De Pere Fairgrounds boat launch improvements 
 City of Green Bay Leicht Park facility development 
 City of Green Bay Porlier fishing pier development 
 Village of Howard Bayshore Drive Park acquisition and development 

Trustees Agree on Land Policy
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

A new policy to be followed when non-profit 
organizations are buying land with natural resource 
damage assessment funds was developed earlier this 
year by the Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource 
Trustees. 

The policy is a guide for the trustees' agencies, their 
staff members and groups seeking funds to purchase 
property to restore, repair, replace and/or buy natural 
resources injured by the release of PCBs. Trustees, 
local governmental agencies and organizations 
should refer to this policy before developing 
proposals. 

According to the policy: 

 properties must address the goals in the trustees' 
restoration plan. 
 the Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource 
Trustee Council will not keep titles to any 
properties purchased, although a partnering 
agency and non-profit organization must accept 
responsibility for maintenance and liability. 
 all properties bought with settlement or NRDA 
funds must be from willing sellers. 
 the trustee council may commit funds to buy 
property, however, funds will not be released 
until the appropriate documentation is supplied to 
the partnering agency. 
 anything bought with trustee funds by an outside 
party must include a recorded notice of 
agreement which can be obtained from any
trustee council member.
 if the titles of properties cannot be cleared, funds 
will be reimbursed to the trustee council. 

For further information, or to obtain a copy of this 
policy, contact Trustee Council Coordinator Colette 
Charbonneau, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 
Colette_Charbonneau@fws.gov or at (920) 866-1726. 

Fox River/Green Bay Natural 
Resource Trustee Council Logo 

The Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource Trustee 
Council commissioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service's Graphic Design and Publishing Branch to 
develop a logo. The trustee council logo will be used 
on notices, signage and other correspondence to 
inform the public on issues relating to the design, 
planning, and implementation of restoration projects. 

The Fox River Current is featuring promising natural resource damage assessment projects in and near the Lower Fox River. 

Spotlight On: 
Bluegill Stocking Project in Suamico River and Green Bay 
By Colette Charbonneau, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Ice anglers have the Green Bay Area Great Lakes 
Sport Fishermen to thank when they catch bluegill for 
supper this winter. The Fox River/Green Bay Natural 
Resource Trustee Council approved the fishing club's 
restoration project to use natural resource damage 
assessment and restoration settlement funds this past 
summer. The club matched the settlement funds with 
contributions from its treasury and funding support 
from the Brown County Conservation Alliance. 

The settlement funds allowed the Sport Fishermen to 
double the number of bluegill they usually stock. On 
October 3, 800 fish were released into Suamico River 
and in the waters behind Long Tail Point in Green 
Bay. The club has been stocking bluegill since 1996 
with most of the fish, 14,000 of them, being released 
into Suamico River. 

"This year, the club decided to release the majority of 
the fish behind Long Tail Point," declared Steve 
Seilo, chairman of the bluegill stocking program for 
the Sport Fishermen. "There are nice weed beds there 
where the fish can find food and shelter from 
predators. A few buckets of bluegill were also 
stocked in Suamico River." 

NRDA and restoration settlement funding will be 
provided for the stocking program for five years. The 
settlement funds will be matched annually by the 
Sport Fishermen and Brown County Conservation 
Alliance. The fishing club is working towards 
reestablishing a population of bluegill along the west 
shore of Green Bay. The Wisconsin Department of 
Natural Resources recently caught bluegill during 
summer fish surveys along the shores of Green Bay 
in and near Suamico River. 

[PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE SEILO OF GREEN BAY AREA GREAT LAKES SPORT FISHERMEN 
Bill Willis, Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sport 
Fishermen president, releases young bluegill into 
Suamico River. ]

"After a few more years of stocking, we hope to hear 
from DNR that our efforts are no longer needed 
because the bluegill are maintaining their population 
naturally," professed Bill Willis, president of the 
Sport Fishermen. "The club's goal is to reestablish 
bluegill for sport fishing on a year-round basis. We 
want to provide ice-fishing opportunities in the winter 
time." 

It won't be long before folks are heading out onto the 
ice with their ice augers, tip-ups and fishing buckets. 
Suamico River seems to be the best area to fish if you 
want to catch a bunch of bluegill to fry up for supper. 
A DNR Web page suggests winter fishing in the weed 
beds with bait referred to as grubs or mousies on 
special smaller fishing poles called ice jigs. 
According to the Web page, it should produce 
excellent results. So, if you see anybody out on the 
ice wearing a blue Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sport 
Fisherman jacket or hat, thank them for the bluegill. 

[PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE SEILO OF GREEN BAY AREA GREAT LAKES SPORT FISHERMEN 
Bluegill of this size were released into Green Bay 
behind Long Tail Point and in Suamico River this 
fall. The fish should grow into a "keeper" by next 
summer. ]

Out and About... 
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership is made up of U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural 
Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. These partners, as well as other supporting agencies, regularly provide speakers to organizations in the Fox Valley area. 

Agency and tribal representatives have 
appeared at local high school and college 
classes, environmental groups, science 
panels, conferences, English as a Second 
Language classes, chambers of commerce, 
and radio and TV talk shows. 

Speakers can cover a wide range of topics 
including: 

 fish consumption advisories 
 proper fish cleaning 
 restoration projects 
 dredging techniques 
 Superfund law 
 general PCB information 
 cleanup options 

To request a speaker from the Fox River 
Intergovernmental Partnership, contact 
Greg Swanson. Greg's contact information 
is listed on the back page of this newsletter. 

Profile On ... Ernie Watkins
EPAHQ Staffer Enjoys Midwest Connection 
By Susan Pastor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Other than an occasional drive through Wisconsin en 
route to Minnesota to visit relatives, EPA Regional 
Coordinator Ernie Watkins spends most, if not all, of 
his time in the Washington, D.C. area. 

His work on the Lower Fox River project, however, 
provides him with a regular Midwest connection. 
The Virginia native spends his days reviewing 
technical documents and decisions developed by 
EPA's regional office in Chicago. "I look at the 
information, see that it makes sense and ensure that it 
is consistent with the other regions," he explained. 
"If something doesn't make sense to me, I ask for 
clarification. If it doesn't comply with national 
policies, I suggest ways to make it comply." 

The 16-year EPA veteran said he has been involved 
in many interesting Midwest projects, however, the 
Lower Fox River cleanup has kept him the busiest. 
"It has been an extremely complicated project 
because so much of the river is contaminated," he 
stated. "There are multiple dams, the lake and so 
many different issues to consider." 

Among the different issues he has overseen are 
fishing, boating and eating the fish. "There is a real 
risk to the people who are eating the fish and that is a 
concern of ours," he added. 

Another concern, initially, was the relationship EPA 
and its partners had with the paper companies 
responsible for the PCB contamination in the river 
and Green Bay. "They fought us tooth and nail in the 
beginning, but we worked through the issues 
together," Watkins continued. 

Watkins, who has a bachelor's degree in biology 
from Virginia Commonwealth UniversityoeRichmond, 
can compare the Lower Fox River to other 
contaminated sediment projects. "I worked on the 
Manistique (Michigan) River in 1994, which was the 
first sediment cleanup in the region. I've also been 
reviewing the Sheboygan River and Harbor project 
since 1991. We've learned a lot since then," he 
continued. "When I need information on other river 
projects, I can also call the project managers who 
work on the Hudson (New York) and Housatonic 
(Massachusetts) Rivers." 

Not always assigned to river and sediment projects, 
Watkins, 57, has "fond" memories of another 
Superfund project. "One that stands out is a site in 
Michigan called West KL where Upjohn was the 
company responsible for the contamination," he 
recalled. "The president's mom had a business in 
town. When Upjohn sent letters to local businesses 
informing them that they had contributed to the 
contamination, a letter was actually sent to her, too." 

When he is not behind his desk at EPA's Office of Site 
Remediation and Technical Innovation, Watkins likes 
to spend time with his wife of 32 years at his vacation 
home in Pennsylvania. "It has been in our family for 
five generations," he explained. "It's on a small river 
that allows for fishing and tubing. My kids still love 
it even though they are in their 20s now." 

Apparently, somewhat of a perfectionist, he also likes 
to restore old electronic equipment in his spare time. 
"You can still get parts for old amplifiers and tube 
radios," he said. "I started with computers and 
recently went back to this old hobby from my teenage 
years when I found some old stereo equipment. It's in 
the final stages of repair. It works, but it just doesn't 
sound as good as I'd like." 

Check out these Web sites: 
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/lowerfox/ New!
http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/foxriver/ 
http://www.fws.gov/r9dec/nrdar/nrdamain.html 
http://www.fws.gov/r3pao/nrda/ 

Information Available at Local Libraries 
The Intergovernmental Partners invite the public to review technical reports, fact sheets and other documents related to the Lower Fox River cleanup at information repositories set up in the reference sections of the local 
libraries listed below. Information repositories at the public libraries in De Pere, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Neenah and Wrightstown have been discontinued. However, binders containing fact sheets are being maintained at these locations as well as at the following repositories: 

 Appleton Public Library, 225 N. Oneida St., Appleton, Wis.; (920) 832-6170 
 Brown County Library, 515 Pine St., Green Bay, Wis.; (920) 448-4381, Ext. 394 
 Door County Library, 107 S. Fourth Ave., Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; (920) 743-6578 
 Oneida Community Library, 201 Elm St., Oneida, Wis.; (920) 869-2210 
 Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave., Oshkosh, Wis.; (920) 236-5205 

An administrative record, which contains detailed information upon which the selection of the final site cleanup plan was based, is also available for review at two DNR offices: 801 E. Walnut St., Green Bay, Wis. and 101 S. 
Webster St., 2nd Floor, Madison, Wis. An administrative record is also available at the EPA Record Center, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., 7th Floor, Chicago, Ill.

Prepared by the Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Supporting agencies include Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by all members of the Fox River Intergovernmental Partnership. 

Fox River Current is published bimonthly by the Fox1 River Intergovernmental Partnership. Its purpose is to provide up-to-date information about cleanup and restoration efforts on the Lower Fox River. Call Greg Swanson at (608) 264-6024 to request a subscription or alternative format. Feedback on articles and 
ideas for future issues are welcome. Send comments to Greg Swanson, Fox River Current, DNR, CE/8, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or e-mail  <gregory.swanson@dnr.state.wi.us>

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