DEQ to host Midland cleanup hearing

Agency: Environmental Quality

For More Information                                      Al Taylor, 517-335-4799, taylora@michigan.gov

Brad Wurfel, 517-241-7395, wurfelb@michigan.gov 

Public invited to offer comments on proposed Dow plan

The DEQ will host an April 17 public hearing to receive oral or written comments on Dow Chemical Company's work plan to address dioxin contaminated soils in Midland.

The hearing is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Auditorium, 1710 West St. Andrews Street in Midland. Representatives from the DEQ and Dow will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. to answer questions on a one on one basis. When the formal hearing commences, a hearings officer will invite interested members of the audience to offer comments for the official record. 

The work plan and other related materials are available online at www.michigan.gov/deqdioxin under "Midland Area Soil Cleanup."

The DEQ will consider and provide a written response to all significant public comments as part of the work plan review and approval process. This response will be posted on the "Midland Area Soil Cleanup" DEQ website. Written public comments will be accepted through April 25.

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

The conceptual agreement behind the proposed cleanup plan was introduced at a public information meeting March 1 in Midland. If approved, the work plan will require Dow to proceed with offering soil sampling at residential properties in the resolution area and offering cleanup for properties that test above the action level. 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. Soil sampling is expected to begin in June.

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