According to local news reports, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management said ArcelorMittal’s Burns Harbor facility dumped toxic levels of cyanide and ammonia-nitrogen in the Little Calumet River this week, killing fish and shutting down parts of the Indiana Dunes National Park.
The department said it has requested that the steelmaker help clean the spill and monitor the chemical concentration in the river.
The National Park Service said it closed the water out to 300 feet at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk beach area of the Indiana Dunes National Park, although the trails remain open. The waters will remain closed until the cause of the spill is determined, and residents have been advised to avoid eating fish from the affected area.
In a statement to media, a spokesperson for ArcelorMittal said the company was "concerned" about the cyanide and ammonia levels in the water, and that it was investigating the source and working with all agencies involved.
"We will continue to work closely with the agencies involved and provide updates as appropriate," the statement said. "ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor is committed to environmental compliance and takes both situations very seriously. We will continue working cooperatively with the agencies involved on each matter to identify the responsible party and/or source and address accordingly."