Public comment of Badger consent decree ends Friday

The public has until Friday to make comments about the consent decree agreement between Lake Michigan Carferry and the U.S. government. The agreement was reached in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s demand that the S.S. Badger stop discharging coal ash into Lake Michigan. LMC, the Badger’s parent company, had been operating under an exemption that expired the end of 2012.

Under the consent decree, LMC has up to two years to end the discharge and come up with an alternative solution.

“This agreement is the product of many months of working closely with the EPA. We think that this Consent Decree is the best result under the circumstances,” said LMC spokeswoman Terri Brown. “We will continue our path in ending the discharge of coal ash while still serving the public and local communities.”

The 60-year-old Badger will begin sailing May 6. This year’s season is earlier than originally scheduled because of a high volume of commercial traffic scheduled for the ship, particularly the transport of wind turbine parts from Wisconsin to Michigan.

Those interested in commenting on the consent decree may do so by following the below instructions:

Instructions for commenting on the Consent Decree 

Comments are to be EMAILED to: pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov

Reference Case Number – This reference number must be included in subject line

D.J. Ref. No. 90-5-1-1-10771

Address to:

Case Name:

United States v. Lake Michigan Trans-Lake Shortcut, Inc., d/b/a Lake Michigan Carferry Services and SS Badger