Estimated $450M investment to go toward cleanup of Milwaukee harbor, riverways

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A $450 million estimated investment will go toward the largest-ever cleanup of Milwaukee harbor and three urban riverways. 

Senator Tammy Baldwin was joined by the EPA administrator and Milwaukee leaders to announce the funding partnership.

The years-long cleanup will involve removing 45,000 cubic yards of sediment from the bottom of the harbor and the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers. 

That sediment has manmade chemicals, petroleum compounds and heavy metals including lead and mercury.

"The cleanup of contamination of Milwaukee's storied industrial history will help improve and protect water quality and our drinking water sources, rebuild and protect the fishery, and improve the economic and recreational opportunities in this area," said Adam Payne, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The EPA will contribute $275 million in funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law. 

More than $170 million will come from five partners -- the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, We Energies, Wisconsin's DNR, the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Parks.