I'm totally disgusted with the owners of the Badger. They have known for YEARS that the EPA wanted them to change over to a cleaner burning fuel. But they have continued to drag their feet and make no changes. We live near the Badger's dock and I can tell you that everything is covered with a filthy, sticky black film that is hard to clean off tables, chairs and boats. And the worst part is, we're all BREATHING that filth! I love the Badger, it's part of Ludington and I'd hate to see it go. But I'd hate more for everyone to put their heads in the sand and pretend that it's healthy for the environment to let it continue spewing toxins in the air we breathe and also dumping tons of coal ash into our beautiful Lake Michigan. To the owners of the Badger, I say, quit acting like you're "surprised" that the EPA wants you to do the right thing and clean up your act!!! Be prepared to see your profits shrink a little for a year or two in order to insure that your grandchildren and generations beyond will benefit because you did the responsible, mature thing. If you're just another rich corporation whose bottom line is profit and the Almighty Dollar, then I know you won't listen or be motivated to do what's best for everyone's interests, not just your own. But I hope that you'll see the bigger picture and get moving on changing the fuel burning system to something cleaner on the ferry we all love, the Badger.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you Cindy S.

take it easy , cindy..... What is happening is posturing between the EPA and the Badger owners. The government has to show they are in charge and the Badger has to cry about what an outrage this is and hold their hand out for a grant or waiver---- instead of spending their own money by simply building a steel box on board to catch their ash........

I agree! It is time to do the right thing.

CINDY, THANK YOU!! Finally someone realizes this. The badger owners have known about this for years, and the marinas have had people disgusted with it and nothiong has been done. That filth gets in our lungs, on our houses, and our cars. Also, with the boaters near the badger, their boats get that filth caked onto them. The owenrs have just turned their heads and you know this "Thousand Page" document that was turned in probably has been in the works for years. They would rather wait for the government to bail them out than to do it themselves.

To Cindy S. - You remind me of the folks that move in right next to an airport and then spend years complaining about the 'noise'. No one is forcing you to live where you do, if you don't like it, please feel free to move away. I think before you spend so much time complaining about the Badger, consider you live there of your own free will and there was no promise of pure air. Think about the days when there were 5 or more ferries docking in Ludington and all the 'filth' that was in the air at that time. The amount of 'filth' that the Badger is responsible for is very small and the we are thankful for all that the Badger does for the local economy. A small price to pay. Be patient, change will come and quit complaining.

Cindy, I totally agree with you. You put in writing exactly what I have been saying and thinking all along. They have know for years about this change but figured the problem would go away. I have a boat in the Marina. I have to clean off an oily film every week. Everything you touch has a BLACK film on it. If there is a SOUTH wind and the Badger is in port, you cannot sit on the dock or breath the air. I agree, it is time to make a change.

Cindy - your comments are right on target and represent what many of us are feeling. The Badger is a unique part of Ludington history and we love the area and all that it has to offer, however, the owner's approach is wrong for the Badger, wrong for Lake Michigan, wrong for the environment and literally sacrifices the health and well-being of the residents of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is difficult for me to take the side of any government agency, but, I support the EPA in this instance. Thank you.

Agree with you completely Cindy. They've known this was coming for years, they're just trying to get us (taxpayers) to foot the bill. Pumping coal ash into the lake and completely unfiltered coal exhaust (containing lead, mercury and other heavy metals) into the air that then falls into the lake is something that needs to stop.

@SprintCar.... Typical thinking from a teabagger or Republican. As long as you are making money off it, who cares, right?? I love how the Republican idiots cry about Obama is putting our kids in debt. I guess it's better to kill em off with air pollution and Cancer.

Hey Brad, quit profiling anyone that doesn't agree with the enviro-nut gang like Cindy and her cohorts. The Badger is a very special significant financial asset to this area. Try studying some history of this area before you angrily lash out against it in radical fashion. Keep going SprintCar, you're the one on track here. Where's my first post supporting the Badger Mr. Begnoche?