The official page of U.S. EPA Region 5,
serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 37 Tribal Nations.
farmers can turn manure into energy? Fair Oaks Farms in transforms methane from their dairy operation into valuable natural gas that can be used to power the farm and their delivery fleet! This innovative use of manure is just one part of the farm’s closed-loop, no-waste model. Let’s join Regional Administrator Anne Vogel to get a behind-the-scenes look at this technology in action.
: abandoned gas stations are more than an eyesore—the underground tanks that hold gasoline can pose serious threats to human and environmental health by increasing the risk of fire or explosion, by contaminating soil and groundwater, and by releasing dangerous vapors. EPA works closely with communities in the Great Lakes region to address these threats and prepare land for beneficial reuse. Let’s join EPA engineer Mark Restaino, with EPA’s Tribal Leaking Underground Storage Program, on Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s land to get a first-hand look at a tank removal! Learn more: https://spgv.io/61828bIA
that every federal dollar invested under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative unlocks more than $3 of economic activity? , we recently visited St. Louis River Area of Concern in Minnesota to see firsthand what targeted investment—$250 million from alone—has enabled in this critical watershed:
- The cleanup of 1.9 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment.
- A 10% increase in the number of hotel rooms.
- Plans for new park improvements and mixed-use developments.
And so much more! These achievements would not be possible without close collaboration—big results come from working closely, with state, local, Tribal and industrial partners. Learn more about this cleanup work in progress: https://spgv.io/61898wpT
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District | Congressman Pete Stauber | St. Louis River Alliance | Carlton County, MN - Government | Carlton County, MN - Government | Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company |
06/11/2026
EPA is creating a community involvement plan for the Omni Polymers site in City of Toledo. We want to hear from you! Since area demographics, interests, and needs change over time, updating this plan will help us to better inform and engage with community members as the site’s cleanup progresses. All conversations remain confidential and are a great opportunity to not only educate EPA on your lived experience as a local resident, but to ask questions of the agency. Interviews last about 30 minutes to one hour and can be set up by contacting the site’s community liaison, Lina Wu at [email protected] or 312-353-2886 by June 15. Learn more about this site: www.response.epa.gov/omnipolymers
Hey Otisville, Michigan! Do you have questions for the Forest Waste Products Superfund site team? Join us at the Forest Township Hall on Tuesday, June 23 starting at 6 p.m.! If you were planning on submitting a comment on our proposed cleanup plan for 1,4 dioxane contamination, we’ve also extended the deadline until July 10 to make sure we hear from everyone who wants to make their voice heard. Learn more: www.epa.gov/superfund/forest-waste-products
06/03/2026
At EPA’s Great Lakes office, we’re proud to work directly with the region’s 37 federally recognized Tribes toward our shared goal of protecting human health, land, air and water now, and for generations to come. We listen first through meaningful coordination and consultation, support Tribal led science and monitoring, and bring funding and technical assistance to the projects communities prioritize. Earlier this spring, Regional Administrator Anne Vogel hit the road to visit Tribal leadership in to see their environmental initiatives in action and to learn how EPA can continue to partner. Thanks to Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Government, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians for welcoming us!
06/02/2026
From Duluth to Detroit, from Petoskey to Peoria, EPA is investing in safer drinking water across the Midwest. , we recently announced a boost of $921 million to our Drinking Water State Revolving Funds across the Great Lakes states, and $107 million to help small or disadvantaged communities to tackle and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. From accelerating lead pipe removal to helping private well owners test their water, we’re ensuring that everyone across the Midwest has clean, safe water to drink.
05/28/2026
🌊The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio EPA are proposing the removal of the final Beneficial Use Impairment, the Degradation of Benthos BUI, for the Black River Area of Concern! Public comments are being accepted until June 18, 2026, and can be emailed to [email protected].
More information, including the Draft Removal Recommendation for the Degradation of Benthos can be found here: https://lakeerie.ohio.gov/home/news-and-events/all-news/black-river-aoc-public-comment-nine