by Caroline Torie, WSBT 22 Reporter

Officials say Indiana Dunes are safe after toxic spill // WSBT 22 PHOTO

The EPA says the lake water is safe, even after a company admitted they leaked a toxic chemical into a Lake Michigan tributary this spring.

U.S. Steel accidentally released hexavalent chromium into the Burns Waterway in Portage this April.

The EPA along with the National Park Service needed to determine if that chemical leak would affect visitors and wildlife at the dunes.

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic byproduct of industrial processes. If ingested, it might be carcinogenic.

Scientists have tested hundreds of water and soil samples every week since that spill happened -- and they say there have been no environmental impacts from the release. They've found no significant trace of the industrial chemical within five miles of the leak.

To ensure public safety, the EPA and the park service will continue to test the area through the summer.

Those tests are just one of the things the National Park Service at the Indiana Dunes is doing to ensure their beaches, trails and waterways are safe and ready for millions of visitors this summer.

They have also cleared parking lots covered with tons of sand, rebuilt sand paths and boardwalks down to the beaches, and put buoys out in the water.

A lot of Indiana Dunes visitors say they come to the beach often.

"We only live about 10 minutes away from the beach which is pretty great," says Bradley Hatfield, a Portage Beach visitor.

But the April chemical spill in the Burns Waterway put his summer plans -- and millions of others -- in jeopardy.

"We had a bit of a scare in early April," says Bruce Rowe, Spokesman for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Beaches were closed for a weekend to determine if the release of the the toxic hexavalent chromium would affect visitors or the environment.

"Fortunately we found absolutely no traces of it on any of our nearby beaches," says Rowe.

Every week since then, and now for the rest of the summer, the EPA and the National Park Service will test the water and soil for that chemical. They also test all beaches for E. coli.

"And if we find that, we close the lifeguarded beaches," Rowe says.

The Park Service is also focused on Mt. Baldy. The sand dune has been closed since 2013 after a young boy was swallowed by the sand but miraculously survived.

"We do offer some ranger led hikes on one little trail up there that is safe," says Rowe. "And we are working towards opening up the beach in front of it that's probably going to be later this summer or even into the fall before we can add that."

More than 15 miles of beach line the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It's a lot of work for those who maintain it, but plenty for visitors to enjoy.

"If you could come out there during the week, you may find a lot of miles of beach that you can enjoy yourself," says Rowe. "If you come out on those weekends get here early so you can get a parking spot and enjoy your visit."

US Steel is working with the EPA to make sure there are no long-term effects from that spill.

The Indiana Dunes offers over 200 programs throughout the summer, including guided hikes up Mt. Baldy, campfires on the beach, and kayaking and paddle boarding. And for the first time in decades, more lifeguards will allow swimming seven days per week on both the eastern and western portions of the beach. For more information, visit their website.

Read the rest here:

EPA says Indiana Dunes beaches safe after toxic spill | WSBT - WSBT-TV