Threats

Unfortunately, the water resources we rely on are still impaired. Green Bay is home to a “Dead Zone” similar to sections of Lake Erie. Lower Green Bay and the Lower Fox River (LFR) are identified as an international ‘Area of Concern’ (AOC), polluted to the extent that human and wildlife health are adversely affected. The main problems facing this area are contamination by persistent and toxic organic compounds, principally polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and hyper-eutrophication – excessive nutrient inputs, primarily phosphorus, from both point and non-point sources. Urban and rural runoff pollution, wastewater discharge and degraded habitat adversely affect the water quality of the entire watershed.