Site investigation being conducted at Fort McCoy regarding PFAS

With the result of an advisory from the DNR regarding eating fish out of the Angelo Pond, there are a lot of questions to be answered. In talking with Sean Strom, an environmental toxicologist with the Department Natural Resources (DNR), he said, “in 2020 a fish from Silver Creek, which runs through Fort McCoy into the Angelo Pond, tested with high levels of PFAS. In 2021 a sampled fish from the Angelo Pond also tested with high levels of PFAS.”

Dave Rozeboom, the regional supervisor of the remediation and redevelopment program for the DNR said, “Fort McCoy is conducting a site investigation to try to figure out where the PFAS are coming from.” PFAS were identified in Silver Creek in 2016, and Fort McCoy started their site investigation shortly after that time. “It’s a very time consuming process,” said Rozeboom.

Rozeboom added, “you don’t want to start remediating until you know the full scope of what is to be remediated. The actual info hasn’t been gathered yet to conclude if Fort McCoy is the actual source for the PFAS or not.”

Firefighting foam is one of the most common types of PFAS. “It is not uncommon to see a level of PFAS around fire training areas like Fort McCoy,” said Rozeboom.

Until they identify a source, the DNR has their hands tied. Once they identify a source, whether it be Fort McCoy or not they will submit a ‘remedial actions options report’ with a recommended option for remediation. Rozeboom added, “after remedial measures have been taken, the DNR will monitor that for effectiveness.”

Strom said, “we will be sampling fish this year downstream, in the La Crosse River, Perch Lake, and Lake Neshonoc.” Rozeboom added, “we look forward to working with Fort McCoy and the residents near Silver Creek and the Angelo Pond to get this worked out.”

    Below is the release from the DNR regarding fish consumption. This was released on June 8^th, 2022.

New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Angelo Pond

Elevated Levels of PFAS Found In Several Fish Species

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced a new PFAS-based consumption advisory for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike from Angelo Pond in Monroe County based on fish sampling.   

Elevated levels of PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), a type of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), were found in several fish species sampled from Angelo Pond, a 53 acre impoundment of the La Crosse River near Sparta in May of 2021.

As a result, the DNR and DHS recommend the following consumption guidelines for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike harvested from the La Crosse River at Angelo Pond:

Angelo Pond Fish Consumption Advisory Guidelines

*The general/statewide consumption advice for women <50 and children is 1 meal/week for panfish and 1 meal/month for all other species. For women >50 and men, the general/statewide consumption advice is 1 meal/week for all species except for panfish, which are unrestricted.

In April 2021, the DNR and DHS issued a consumption advisory of 1 meal/month for brook and brown trout caught in Silver Creek, which flows into Angelo Pond. Sampling efforts continue in consultation with Fort McCoy due to results of elevated PFAS surface water samples received from Silver Creek in 2019.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used for decades in various products, such as non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foams that have made their way into the environment.

Health risks may increase when fish with high levels of PFAS are consumed. These can include increased cholesterol levels, decreased immune response, and decreased fertility in women, among other health effects. More information is available on the DHS website.

Following fish consumption advisories will help protect you from consuming excess PFOS, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury. A complete list of up-to-date consumption advisories can be found in the DNR’s Choose Wisely booklet.

Additional fish consumption advice and information on the effects of PFAS can be found on the DNR’s website.