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Torch Lake site needs further cleanup, reports say

HOUGHTON, MI--   A state report says physical hazards remain in the former copper mining region of the Western U.P.  

The Michigan Department of Community Health says it has finished two reports about public health conditions in and around the Torch Lake Superfund Site in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.  The site was polluted with waste rock during mining operations from the 1890s to 1960s. 

The reports include responses to questions raised during a public comment period last year.

One describes physical hazards remaining from mining activities and recommends removing them or restricting access. 

The other deals with potential chemical exposure from municipal and private drinking water.  It says municipal water is safe and meets applicable standards and regulations, but there isn't enough information about chemical levels in some private wells.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.