Presque Isle Bay Area of Concern

Background 

Presque Isle Bay is a 3,718-acre natural embayment of Lake Erie located near the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania. The Presque Isle peninsula, a 7.5 mile recurved sand spit that is home to Presque Isle State Park, forms the bay. Most of the shoreline of the bay is fronted by the City of Erie. Over 80% of the bay’s watershed is comprised of urban and industrial land uses in the City of Erie and its outlying townships. The primary tributaries are Mill Creek (including Garrison Run) and Cascade Creek, which together account for about two-thirds of the water flowing into the bay.

As with other parts of the Great Lakes, past waste disposal practices resulted in the discharge of industrial and domestic wastewater to the bay or to the streams and tributaries draining into the bay. Until changes were made to the City of Erie’s wastewater treatment, collection, and conveyance system, untreated industrial, commercial, and residential wastewater escaping from combined sewer overflows was discharged to the bay. Because most of its watershed is a developed, urban area, the bay received high concentrations of pollutants from stormwater runoff. While many pollutants released to the bay from such past practices have decayed through natural biodegradation processes, substances like heavy metals and more resistant organics remain in the sediment.

In January 1991, Presque Isle Bay was designated as the 43rd Great Lakes Area of Concern (AoC) by the U.S. Department of State in response to concerns raised by local citizens. It is the only AoC listed as a result of citizen petition.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is the lead agency responsible for investigation and remediation of the bay. The Department works closely with partners such as Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Gannon University, the Erie County Department of Health, and other organizations and private citizens through an informal Public Advisory Committee. For more details about the Department’s partners and the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee, see the Community/Local RAP Group Involvement section below.

Beneficial Use Impairments 

Through the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) process, PADEP and the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee identified two beneficial uses as being impaired: Fish Tumors or Other Deformities and Restrictions on Dredging Activities.

Based upon the impaired uses evaluation, the pollutants of concern identified in the sediment were heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fish impairments, if environmentally caused, were believed to be related to the sediment contamination.

Fish Tumors or Other Deformities:
Evaluation began in the 1980s when the United States Fish and Wildlife Service began receiving reports from anglers of “tumorous” growths on of the bay’s brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus). Over the next 22 years, PADEP and its partners conducted numerous studies of the bay’s brown bullheads. Two studies were done to estimate and evaluate the overall bullhead population in the bay. Both studies estimated a population of 31,000 bullheads that was stable and reproducing. A study of the migration patterns of the bullheads suggested that the bullheads were primarily resident species of the bay as only two of the 2000 tagged fish migrated outside the bay.

Tumors on a brown bullhead catfish from Presque Isle Bay. Courtesy of PA Sea Grant.

Collecting bullheads in the Presque Isle Bay Study Area. Courtesy of PA Sea Grant.

Sediment collection using a Van Veen sampler. Courtesy of PADEP.

Processing sediment cores. Courtesy of PADEP.

Five studies were conducted during which samplings of the bay’s brown bullheads were examined for both internal and external growths and deformities. Subsamples of these fish were autopsied and tissue was examined for the presence tumors. Liver tumor rates fell steadily from a high of 22% in 1992 to 0% in 1999. External tumors rates showed a similar decline from 64% in 1992 to 17.4% in 1999. As a result of the decreasing trend seen in tumor rates, a long-term monitoring strategy was developed and implemented beginning in 2002 with samples collected yearly through 2005. Liver tumor rates in Presque Isle Bay brown bullhead were 3percent in 2002 and 5.9 percent in 2003. Data are not yet available from the 2004 and 2005 monitoring efforts.

In addition, work is underway to develop a reference tumor rate for Lake Erie brown bullheads. The bullhead samples from non-AoC reference sites in New York, Long Point, Ontario, and two locations in Ohio were collected in 2004 and 2005. Evaluation of the liver tissue and the age of the fish will be used to develop a reference tumor rate to compare with Presque Isle Bay results. Bullheads from several lakes in northwestern Pennsylvania were also sampled to determine reference tumor rates for these locations.

Restrictions on Dredging Activities:
As with the brown bullheads, sediment studies have been conducted by PADEP and its partners since the early 1980s. The studies varied in scope and focus but did draw similar conclusions. Sediment in the bay contains widespread but relatively low levels of PAHs and a few heavy metals (i.e., nickel, lead, and cadmium). Generally, the concentrations of contaminants found were fairly homogeneous and no specific hot spots were defined. In addition, sediment dredged from the navigation channel and turning basin within the bay by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has consistently met the requirements for open lake disposal in Lake Erie.

A 1997 comprehensive review of data found PAH concentrations in the bay surface sediment were higher than in sediment from most coastal environments but typical of urban areas. Additionally, the review found no clear impacts on the macroinvertebrates in the bay attributed to sediment concentrations of PAHs or other contaminants. To date, there has been no proven correlation shown between bay sediment contamination and fish tumors. These factors coupled with elimination of point source discharges, combined sewer overflows to the bay and its tributaries, and economic impacts resulted in the decision to allow natural recovery rather than pursue active remediation of the sediment.

In 2002, the improvements seen in the health of the brown bullhead and the decision to allow natural remediation of the sediment, led to designation of the beneficial use impairments in the Recovery Stage. As part of the long-term monitoring strategy, a focused sediment sampling effort in 2003 looked at PAH and metal concentrations in historically sampled locations. The concentrations of contaminants in the surficial sediment were consistent with earlier studies.

Delisting Targets 

Work is underway on the development of delisting targets based on both the beneficial use impairments and ecosystem health considerations. With funding from the U.S. EPA - Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO), PADEP and PA Sea Grant sponsored a parallel series of workshops with experts on fish pathology and sediment contamination. Via two separate projects following a similar path, delisting targets for the two beneficial use impairments are being developed through the evaluation of historical data, assessment of current study data, consultation with experts on the latest science and its application to Presque Isle Bay, and discussions with the Public Advisory Committee.

RAP Development and Status

The Stage 1 RAP, completed in 1993, evaluated information from an ecosystem study and identified two beneficial use impairments. The RAP also provided the framework for prioritized ecosystem restoration and management activities to be conducted, coordinated, or sponsored by the PADEP.

The 1995 RAP Update provided revisions and new information to supplement the Stage 1 RAP. It also responded to comments on the RAP received from the International Joint Commission and USEPA.

The 2002 RAP Update recommended that the Presque Isle Bay Area of Concern be designated in the Recovery Stage. This document summarizes the results of studies on the two beneficial use impairments and the work done by numerous organizations in the Bay and its watershed that led to the recommendation for a change in designation.

Current priorities for Presque Isle Bay AoC include addressing contaminated sediment, understanding and reducing the number of fish lesion incidences, and developing long-term monitoring plans for the Bay and its watershed.
 

Significant RAP Milestones  

• 2002: Presque Isle Bay becomes the first U.S. AoC to achieve the Recovery Stage designation.
• 2002: Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan Update (PDF 10.38Mb 96 pages) completed.
• 1995: Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan Update (PDF 2.41Mb 54 pages) completed.
• 1993: Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan (PDF 11.57Mb 348 pages) completed.
• 1991: Presque Isle Bay is listed as an AoC. The Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee was established.
• 1989: The City of Erie  entered into a Consent Decree with PADEP to upgrade its wastewater treatment, collection, and conveyance system including the elimination of Combined Sewer Overflows in the City’s system.
• 1984: Fishermen report strange growths on Presque Isle Bay brown bullheads to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

RAP Implementation

Recent Progress and Achievements

Sediment:
In September 2005, PADEP partnered with PA Sea Grant, Gannon University, the Erie County Department of Health, the Regional Science Consortium at the Tom Ridge Center at Presque Isle Bay, and MacDonald Environmental Services, Ltd to implement a comprehensive sediment-sampling program. More than 50 surficial and at-depth samples were collected from Presque Isle Bay to characterize both the current and historical sediment contamination. The USEPA’s research vessel the Mudpuppy assisted with the collection of sediment cores. Both chemical and toxicological analyses are being conducted. The results of the study are expected in 2006.

With funding from GLNPO, PADEP and PA Sea Grant held a series of workshops in 2005 to discuss the sediment contamination in the Bay. Experts from USEPA, United States Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and several state agencies met with the bay’s Public Advisory Committee Sediment Subcommittee. As a result of the workshops, draft ecosystem health and delisting targets have been developed. Final targets will be proposed by PADEP following the evaluation of the comprehensive sediment sampling results and analysis of data by the experts.

Fish:
In June, July, and August of 2004 and 2005, PADEP continued its studies on brown bullhead catfish. Samples were collected from Presque Isle Bay as well as non-AoC Lake Erie reference locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario. The United States Geological Survey’s Leetown Laboratory is conducting the analysis of external body and liver tumors. Results from the 2004 and 2005 studies are expected in 2006.

A series of workshops have been held to address the bay’s Fish Tumors or Other Deformities beneficial use impairment. Under funding from GLNPO, PA Sea Grant and PADEP have conducted these meetings between members of the Public Advisory Committee’s Fish Subcommittee and experts on fish pathology. In addition to assisting with the development of delisting targets for the fish tumor impairment, the experts are developing a manual for pathologists to use in evaluating brown bullhead tumors and providing input into a field manual for biologists.

Several lines of research are underway to better understand the environmental biology and ethology of the Bay’s brown bullhead population. This ongoing research includes:

• A study by Gannon University to sample the deeper, open waters of the Bay. The goal of this research is to better understand seasonal brown bullhead migration patterns and the dynamics of bullhead exposure to contaminated sediment.
• A study of the reproductive success of brown bullhead in Presque Isle Bay by sampling for young-of-year bullhead and tracking recruitment into the population.
• Genetic research to determine the extent to which the Bay’s Ameiurus species hybridize and the potential relationship between bullhead genetics and the elevated tumor incidence rate in this fish population.

PA Sea Grant is funding these studies.

RAP-Related Publications

The following documents may be available from one of the Presque Isle Bay AoC Contacts listed below.

• Campbell et. Al, 2002. Summary of Assessment of Streams in the Presque Isle Bay Watershed and Recommendations for Abatement of Non-Point Source Pollution. Final report prepared by Michael J. Campbell, Harry R. Diz, and Eric C. Obert for the Erie County Conservation District. August 2002.
• Diz 2002. An Assessment of Sediment Quality in Presque Isle Bay. Prepared by Harry R. Diz, Gannon University.
• Erie County Department of Health, 2002. Surficial sediment sampling, Presque Isle Bay, Erie Pennsylvania. 2001 Sampling Survey. Erie County Department of Health. June 2002.
• PADEP 2002. Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan Update. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest Regional Office and the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee.
• PADEP 2001. Fish Screening Study for Selected Contaminants of Concern in Presque Isle Bay. PADEP. July 2001.
• Pyron, M., R. Wellington, and E.C. Obert, 2001. Tumor Rates and Population Estimates of Brown Bullhead in Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie. Journal of Great Lakes Research 27:185-190.
• PADEP, 1997. The 1997 Presque Isle Bullhead Tumor Study. Prepared by Eric C. Obert, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
• Battelle, 1997. Presque Isle Bay Sediment Study-Data Review. Final report prepared by G. Durell and J. Neff, Battelle Ocean Sciences. April 1997.
• PADEP, 1996. A Study of Fish Tumors in Fish of Presque Isle Bay. Prepared by M.K. Walter, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and D.M. Dambach, University of Pennsylvania, for PADEP. June 1996.
• PADEP 1995b. A Study of Tumors in Fish of Presque Isle Bay. Prepared by Eric C. Obert, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
• PADER 1995a. Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan Update. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Northwest Regional Office and the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee.
• Battelle, 1994. Presque Isle Bay Sediment Quality Evaluation Report for May 1994 Study. Final report by Battelle Ocean Sciences. September 1994.
• PADER, 1993. Presque Isle Bay Remedial Action Plan. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Northwest Regional Office and the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee.
• PADER 1992. Presque Isle Bay Brown Bullhead Tumor Study. Conducted from March 29, 1992 to October 7, 1993. Prepared by Eric C. Obert, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.
• Potomac-Hudson, 1991. Presque Isle Bay Ecosystem Study; Background Report. Prepared for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources by Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc. June 1991.

Community/Local RAP Group Involvement 

Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee: The Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee (PAC) provides advice to PADEP in developing a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) to restore beneficial uses in the Bay. As a community partnership, the PAC’s mission is to enhance and protect the environmental quality and economic vitality of the Bay and its watershed. Members represent all sectors of the community, including local, state and federal agencies, environmental and civic organizations, academia and industry. Any interested citizen is welcome to join the committee and contribute to the accomplishment of its mission. The PAC meets several times a year in Erie, PA. To have your name added to the mailing list for meeting announcements, send email to the PADEP, lboughton@state.pa.us. Be sure to include your name, organization represented (if any), mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

News in Education Inserts: In 2004 and 2005, PA Sea Grant and PADEP published a 16-page insert and monthly pages on AoC-related themes in the Erie Times-News. With a circulation of more than 90,000, the Bay and its environmental issues came into the living rooms of citizens in the watershed and beyond. Each issue highlighted one aspect of the Bay and topics ranged from water conservation and fish species to what individuals can do to preserve the Bay.

Partners and Stakeholders

• Erie County Department of Health 
• Gannon University 
• Lake Erie Allegheny Earth Force 
• Mercyhurst College 
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 
• Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association
• Pennsylvania Sea Grant 
• Penn State Erie, The Behrend College 
• Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee
• Presque Isle State Park 
• S.O.N.S (Save Our Native Species) of Lake Erie 
• U.S. EPA – Great Lakes National Program Office

Presque Isle Bay AoC Contacts

U.S. EPA RAP Liaison:
Diane Hakowski
U.S. EPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street (3WP11)
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Tel:  (215) 814-5726
Email: hakowski.denise@epa.gov

State RAP Contact:
Lori Boughton, Director
Office of the Great Lakes
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 4
Erie, PA 16505
Tel:  (814) 332-6816
Fax: (814) 332-6125
Email: lboughton@state.pa.us