Hunt Valley, Maryland (19 January 2026)—EA is proud to announce that the Torch Lake Drum Removal Pilot Study has been honored with the 2025 Environmental Excellence Award in the Environmental-Based, Remediation-Focused category by the Western Dredging Association (WEDA). The award was presented at the 24th World Dredging Conference & Expo in San Diego, California.
The Torch Lake Area of Concern (AOC), located on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Houghton County, Michigan, sits in a region with a history of copper ore mining and industrial processing, which led to ecological degradation and contamination that is still present. A 2018 study identified contaminated sediment and drum remains at one of two sites within the lake. This project evaluated the complex challenge of removing deteriorated drums from the lakebed, at water depths ranging from approximately 5 to 80 feet.
EA led the implementation of the study in collaboration with Anchor QEA; J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.; Honeywell International; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office. The pilot study evaluated the feasibility of mechanical drum removal and the performance of environmental controls to minimize sediment resuspension in the water column. The team deployed advanced technologies including multibeam bathymetry, side-scan sonar, and a remotely-operated vehicle for underwater video surveys to locate and confirm successful removal. Environmental controls such as fixed and mobile silt curtains and bubble curtains were implemented and evaluated to protect water quality during operations.
“This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in environmental remediation,” said Jamie Suski, PhD, EA Vice President and Business Unit Director. “Torch Lake presented a unique set of challenges, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders to adapt and apply cutting-edge solutions has set a new benchmark for sediment remediation in complex aquatic environments.”
The data and insights gained from the pilot study will inform the Focused Feasibility Study for the Hubbell Processing Area and guide future remediation efforts across the Great Lakes region.
“This recognition from WEDA reflects the dedication and expertise of everyone involved,” added Peggy Derrick, Vice President and Director, Sediment Management. “It’s not just about removing drums—it’s about restoring ecosystems, protecting communities, and advancing the science of dredging and remediation.”
Over the past 20 years, EA has completed more than $200 million in contaminated sediment investigation, design, and construction oversight under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and the Great Lakes Legacy Act. Our scientists and engineers have provided remedies for more than one million cubic yards of contaminated sediment for multiple EPA regions, state environmental agencies, and private entities.
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