The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is announcing it had a site assessment conducted of a “potential threat to the Portage Lake waterway near South Entry and made a report to the National Response Center.”

The potential threat was posed by a leak on a commercial fishing tug that the owner is unable to repair, according to the KBIC. A press release states that a small amount of oil, less than three cups, was pumped out with the water on the ice by the owner.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the report made by KBIC and conducted a follow-up assessment. An administrative order was given to the owner and shared with KBIC, which worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop an action plan to address the potential threat, KBIC officials said in the press release.

“Tribal, State, and Federal partners have been working together to address the situation and are confident of resolving the issue within the next two days,” the press release states. “KBIC has made the commitment to assume the costs of repairing the leak on the tug.”

Questions can be directed to the KBIC Tribal President’s Office and its Natural Resources Department.

The KBIC Tribal President’s Office is located at 16429 Beartown Road in Baraga and can be reached at 906-353-6623.

The KBIC Natural Resources Department is located at

14359 Pequaming Rd in L’Anse. The L’Anse Office can be reached at 906-524-8700. The Pequaming Office can be reached at 906-524-5757.