DEQ approves Midland cleanup work plan

Agency: Environmental Quality

For More Information                                                  Al Taylor, 517-335-4799, taylora@michigan.gov
                                                                               Brad Wurfel, 517-241-7395, wurfelb@michigan.gov 

The DEQ today approved Dow Chemical Company's five-year work plan to address dioxin-contaminated soils in Midland. 

The cleanup plan was submitted as part of corrective action work required under the company's Hazardous Waste Management Facility Operating License. The contamination is the result of airborne emissions from Dow's historic waste management practices.

With the work plan approved, Dow will immediately proceed with soil sampling at residential properties that are scheduled to be addressed in 2012 and will offer cleanup for properties that test above the site-specific dioxin "action level" of 250 parts per trillion for Midland area residential soils.  

Properties that test less than or equal to the action level and those that have had cleanup will not be considered contaminated under Michigan law. Sampling and cleanup work will be done only with the consent of the property owner.

The approval follows a March 1 informational meeting, an April 17 public hearing, and a 45‑day public comment period that ended April 25. As part of the work plan review and approval process, the DEQ considered and has provided a written response to all significant public comments.

The approved work plan, the Notice of Final Decision and Responsiveness Summary, and other related materials are available online at michigan.gov/deqdioxin under "Midland Area Soil Cleanup."  The website will be updated routinely as work progresses.

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