(SAULT ST. MARIE, ON) – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) toured areas of the St. Marys River affected by a recent discharge of sewage that is believed to be from a waste treatment facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.  Stupak also visited the property of residents of Sugar Island, Michigan, where human sewage has washed up from the St. Marys River onto the beach.  While on Sugar Island, Stupak said chunks of human feces were readily visible on the shore. 

“This confirms what I previously heard from my constituents,” Stupak said.  “It is clear to any objective observer that human sewage is flowing into the St. Marys River and onto Sugar Island.  This is a severe problem that needs a rapid and thorough solution.” 

After touring the sewage affected areas of the river, Stupak convened a closed door session with a Canadian Member of Parliament and other officials from both sides of the border to discuss resolution of the issue.  Stupak said that during the meeting he urged better communication between American and Canadian officials, the development of standards to ensure a better exchange of information and that prior notice be given before future discharges from the Ontario wastewater facility.   Stupak said that officials are finalizing a protocol on how to handle and investigate complaints, better monitor the St. Marys River, and develop short-term and long-term solutions to the problem.

“We had a frank and full dialogue about the waste problem,” Stupak said of the meeting.  “My message to the Canadians was straightforward: the source of the human waste must be discovered and stopped.”   

Stupak noted that the economies of northern Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie region, in particular, depend heavily upon tourism. 

“No one wishes to visit a body of water that is polluted with human sewage.  Tourists and residents should not have to avoid the Sault area, the St. Marys River, and Sugar Island,” Stupak said.  “Summer time is when we enjoy the outdoors and water sports.  Residents and tourists should not have to avoid our area because of possible health concerns.”

Other attendees at the meeting included Canadian Member of Parliament Tony Martin of Riding, Ontario; Michigan State House Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard); Tim Bosbous, the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie; Don Elliot of the City of Sault Ste. Marie Engineering Department; Rod Stewart of the Canadian Ministry of Environment; Steve Casey of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, John Rowswell; and a representative from Provincial Parliament Member David Oriazetti’s office.  Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Joint Commission, and the Binational Public Advisory Council (BPAC) also attended the session. 

“By pulling together leaders from both sides of the border, it is my hope that we can finally address the areas of concern on the St. Marys River and prevent waste from ever surfacing again,” Stupak said.

Stupak said his office has previously been in contact with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Chippewa County Health Department to discuss the problem.  He also said he has requested that both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Joint Commission open investigations into the matter. 

Stupak has a long history of working on water quality and environmental issues.  In 2003, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force recognized Stupak with its “Legislator of the Year Award” for his support of Great Lakes water and Great Lakes shipping.  In 2005, after a three year fight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Stupak that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from loosening its rules to allow partially treated human sewage from being dumped into waterways.  That legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.   Stupak’s efforts resulted in the group American Rivers presenting him with their “Legislator of the Year Award.”   Stupak also passed legislation permanently banning oil and gas drilling in and under the Great Lakes.  He also led the international effort to prohibit the sale or export of Great Lakes water.

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