The Chequamegon bay is one of Lake Superior prettiest vistas; unfortunately it's also one of the most contaminated. The relatively small area is contaminated by Coal Tar from a coal gasification plant that operated in the city more the fifty years ago. The toxic sludge resting on the bottom has made its way into the water table.

Jamie Dunn with the Wisconsin D.N.R said "The E–P–A will be finalizing a record of decision and that's a legal document that is the foundation for all work to go forward at this point. That will outline what needs to be cleaned up and how to clean it up."

While the record of decision is important, it's who will be paying for the clean up that is causing some controversy. Through corporate succession, Xcel Energy may be financially responsible for the clean–up which could cost anywhere from fifty to one–hundred million dollars.

However the city of Ashland may also be responsible because they own some of the contaminated property.

Ashland Mayor Ed Monroe said "We picked it up because the people that owned it abandoned it and we're hoping that ends our liability."

Despite the concern of who's actually going to be paying for the project, Ashland Mayor Ed Monroe says the sooner the clean up can begin the sooner the city can begin developing this multi–million dollar piece of property.

Mayor Monroe said We want to develop that area; we want to make it accessible to the public in the safest manner possible.

The actual clean up of the bay will include dredging the area for contaminates in the sediments as well as pumping the coal tar out of the aquifer. Jamie Dunn with the Wisconsin D.N.R. says the coal can actually be used as an energy source.

"They've recovered over ten thousand gallons, it's very high concentrations of benzene in this product and it's being burned for energy recovery."

Next Summer, a pilot test will be conducted at the site to determine the best dredging option.