On August 12, 2019, IDNR received a citizen complaint of a distressed fish in the East Branch of the Little Calumet River; by August 14, IDNR observed a significant fish die-off. On August 15, ArcelorMittal, a steel manufacturing company that discharges to the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, notified IDEM that they had exceeded their NPDES-permitted daily maximum limit for total cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen from their Burns Harbor steel mill operation. On the non-compliance report submitted to IDEM, ArcelorMittal stated that their blast furnace closed water loop station failed on August 11, resulting in the exceedances. Upon learning this information, IDEM notified ArcelorMittal that they were responsible for initiating a spill response including in-stream monitoring and increased monitoring of their outfalls to the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. On Aug 16, ArcelorMittal reported a release of cyanide and ammonia to the National Response Center. It appears that Indiana Dunes National Park staff found out around this time (or no later than this date) from either ArcelorMittal or IDEM. The quantity and concentration of cyanide and ammonia released is unknown. OEPC notified the NPS-WASO Spill Response Coordinator on August 17th of the hazardous release. EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, IDEM, and IDNR established an Incident Command on August 18th. The Incident Command was disbanded on August 26th. The company has two outfalls that discharge into a portion of the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, which flows through a portion of the Indiana Dunes National Park. The river then exits the park boundary and continues into Burns Ditch, a portion of which then runs along another part of the Indiana Dunes NP boundary (the park boundary is not contiguous) before emptying into Lake Michigan. As a result of the release, the Indiana Dunes NP (INDU) closed the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk beach area and waters out to 300 ft in Lake Michigan on Aug 15, 2019 out of a concern for public safety. The impacted portion of the East Branch of the Little Calumet River was also closed by the park on that same date. The City of Ogden Dunes, Indiana also closed their public beach. The park re-opened the public beach area and river access on Aug 22, 2019. ArcelorMittal continues to have some compliance issues with their permit for cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen throughout 2020. Discussions between ArcelorMittal and IDEM regarding compliance is ongoing. Dead fish were collected by ArcelorMittal's contractor as well as by IDEM and IDNR for several days (specific dates are unknown at this time). IDEM learned that a marina also collected dead fish and notified ArcelorMittal about this fact (supposedly for ArcelorMittal's contractor to retrieve the dead fish from the marina's dumpster). According to IDEM’s website (https://www.in.gov/idem/cleanwater/2576.htm) on the incident, IDNR estimated the number of dead fish to be approximately 3000; fish species included panfish (primarily bluegill), shad, channel catfish, bass, and walleye. No fish carcasses were collected for lab analysis due to their advanced state of decomposition. The state of IN (represented by IDEM and IDNR) along with DOI (represented by FWS and NPS) have met and agreed to collaborate to pursue a NRDA claim under CERCLA, while still keeping in mind other authorities under SURPA. IDEM, IDNR, NPS and FWS are working together as co-trustees; FWS is the Authorized Official for DOI. In December 2020, Cleveland-Cliffs purchased ArcelorMittal. The Trustees and the PRP have worked cooperatively through the assessment phase. The Trustees anticipate wrapping up assessment work in the coming months and engaging in settlement discussions thereafter. In the event that the parties do not reach an agreement, the Trustees may need to develop a Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan (RCDP) and related documents as part of their claim development (the cost of this was projected for CY24 if necessary). We have reached an agreement and a Consent Decree is currently in the hands of the PRP and we are expecting them to sign it any day now.