Camp Grayling - MATES at Range 30 (Grayling, Crawford County)

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Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.

EGLE site lead

Lisa Kruse, KruseL@Michigan.gov or 989-370-1424.

Background

The Camp Grayling - Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES) at Range 30 is located approximately 2.5 miles northeast of downtown Grayling and is part of the 147,000-acre Camp Grayling property. The official address is 2450 W. North Down River Road. According to the Army National Guard (ARNG), the Preliminary Assessment Report and associated interviews did not identify any releases of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) at the MATES facility, therefore no timeframes or quantities can be determined.

The site has 12 previously existing monitoring wells that were sampled for PFAS in August 2018 by the ARNG. A total of 23 private residential drinking water wells (closest receptors near the MATES facility) were sampled between November 8, 2018, and February 28, 2019. To date, results from all 23 residential well samples have been received. To date, residential well results indicate no exceedances of EGLE Part 201 Criteria for 7 PFAS. Groundwater flow is generally south to southeast towards the Au Sable River, located one mile south of the MATES facility.

Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meetings are scheduled every couple of months. The event details are posted on the MPART Public Meeting Calendar at Michigan.gov/MPARTevents. Find PFAS-related reports and documents associated with Camp Grayling at the Camp Grayling RAB website.

Content updated August 2024.

Site map

See an aerial view of the location of the site.

Expand the map

Drinking water

DHHS will be re-testing residential drinking water wells near the Grayling Army Airfield, Lake Margrethe, and Maneuver and Training Equipment Site (MATES) at Range 30 for PFAS. The testing will help MDHHS determine if there are changes to levels of PFAS in residents' drinking water. There is no charge for the testing.

23 residential drinking water wells have been tested by the ARNG. Residential well sampling was conducted by focusing on the residences in closest proximity to the MATES facility and stepping out if any wells or areas of concern were identified. All 23 of the residences with tested wells received results in the form of a letter from the National Guard Bureau. MDHHS also sent them a letter encouraging residents with questions or concerns regarding results to contact District Health Department #10.

Anticipated activities

EGLE will continue to communicate information on site. There is no indication of a risk above Part 201 Criteria to drinking water wells in the area. The ARNG Remedial Investigation phase is delayed until 2024.

Military update

The MATES Remedial Investigation planning will begin Fall 2023. Field work will begin Summer 2024. Additional RI field activities are possible in 2025.

Historical Timeline

2018 - 2019
In August 2018, the ARNG in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) tested existing monitoring wells for PFAS.

On October 7, 2018, EGLE received the sampling results for 12 existing monitoring well samples at the MATES facility. The highest result was 150.5 ppt PFOS+PFOA, 371.4 ppt Total Tested PFAS.

On December 11, 2018, EGLE hosted a Town Hall meeting for the Grayling area PFAS sites. Attendees included the ARNG, DMVA, MDHHS, and District Health Department #10.

On February 28, 2019, sampling of 23 residential wells within the target area of the MATES facility was completed. Results from all 23 residential well samples have been received and are below the USEPA LHA level of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.

On June 5, 2019, there was a Restoration Advisory Board community meeting for the Grayling Area to learn about the RAB process, how a RAB functions, and the change to fill out a Community Member Interest Form. Applications were due by June 10 and the first RAB meeting will be announced in the coming week.

View the Restoration Advisory Board Information Meeting Presentation.

On June 25, 2019, the Army National Guard hosted an open public meeting from 7:30-8:30 pm at Kirtland Community College, 4800 W 4 Mile Rd, Grayling, to discuss plans to provide alternative drinking water to property owners with wells over 70 ppt of PFOA and PFOS.

On July 31, 2019, the first meeting of the Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board was held from 10:00am - 12:00pm at Kirtland Community College - Grayling Campus, 4800 W 4 Mile Road, Grayling MI 49738. It included the organization of the new Restoration Advisory Board and other set-up functions. This meeting was open to the public.

On August 1, 2019, a Town Hall PFAS Informational Meeting was held at Kirtland Community College, 4800 W 4 Mile Rd, Grayling. An open house was from 4:30-6:00 pm, followed by a presentation of recent investigations from 6:00-7:30.

View the August 1 Town Hall presentation.

On August 30, 2019, a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held. The meeting focused primarily on developing RAB meeting operating procedures and other administrative topics.

On November 6, 2019, a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held. The meeting focused primarily on finalizing RAB meeting operating procedures and RAB communication with the public. Progress updates were given by the DMVA and EGLE. A presentation on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process was given by DMVA.

On December 11, 2019, a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held. Progress updates were given by the DMVA and EGLE. A presentation on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process was given by DMVA. Eric Keller, Regional Director for Senator Gary Peters, gave an update on PFAS at the federal level.

2020

On January 13, 2020, a Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting was held. Progress updates were given by DMVA, EGLE and DHHS. Sesha Kallakuri (DHHS) gave a presentation on risk assessment and DHHS Drinking Water Screening Levels. The RAB members continued to develop their outreach and communications plans.
On February 20, 2020, a Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting was held. Progress updates were given by DMVA, EGLE and DHHS. Recent and future RAB outreach was discussed and the final RAB brochure was released.
On May 27, 2020, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by DMVA, EGLE, and DHHS.
On July 22, 2020, a Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Virtual Meeting was held. Updates were given by DMVA, DHHS, and EGLE.

On September 24, 2020, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by DMVA, DHHS, and EGLE.

Historical Sampling Chart: data is reflective of criteria prior to 8/3/2020:
PFOS + PFOA Only
This chart reflects data received prior to 8/3/2020.

Type of Sample	Date Sampled	# of Samples	# of Results Received	# of Non-detects	# Between Non-detect and standard*	#>Standard
Monitoring Wells	Aug 2, 2018 - Feb 28, 2019	12	12	10	1	1
Residential Drinking Wells	Aug 2, 2018 - Feb 28, 2019	22	22	19	3	0
Cumulative		35	35	29	5	1

*Groundwater results are compared to EGLE Part 201 Criteria of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.
*Residential well results are compared to the USEPA Lifetime Health Advisory level of 70 ppt PFOS+PFOA.

On September 24, 2020, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by DMVA, DHHS, and EGLE.
On October 5, 2020, DHHS finished the first round of drinking water well resampling.
On December 1, 2020, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by the Army National Guard, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

2021
On January 28, 2021, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by the Army National Guard, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

On March 26, 2021, a virtual Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was held. Progress updates were given by the Army National Guard, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

On March 29, 2021, DHHS mailed the first round of drinking water well resampling results to well owners.

On April 26, 2021, a virtual town hall for Camp Grayling PFAS sites was held. The purpose of this online public meeting is to update the community about the on-going PFAS investigations and drinking water well resampling efforts.

April 26, 2021 MPART Camp Grayling PFAS Town Hall Recording

On May 11, 2021, The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that a second round of resampling of residential drinking water wells would begin.

May 11, 2021 DHHS Press Release

June 9, 2021, a Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held.

On August 25, 2021, a Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held.

On August 27, 2021, EGLE sent a Compliance Communication to DMVA regarding wastewater sampling at MATES.

August 27, 2021 Compliance Communication from GLE to Camp Grayling Mates

On September 9, 2021, MPART hosted a virtual town hall. Updates were presented by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), and Army National Guard (ARNG).

September 9, 2021, MPART Town Hall Recording

On November 2, 2021, DMVA provided a response to EGLE’s August 26, 2021, Compliance Communication regarding wastewater sampling at MATES.

November 3, 2021 Communication from ARNG to EGLE

On November 2, 2021, a Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held. DMVA/ARNG gave an update on recent wastewater sampling at MATES.
2022
On February 1, 2022, a Grayling Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Meeting was held. DMVA/ARNG gave an update on recent wastewater sampling at MATES.

On May 10, 2022, a Camp Grayling Public Meeting was held at Kirtland Community College. PFAS investigation updates were given by EGLE, ARNG, and DHHS.

On July 13, 2022, a Restoration Advisory Board meeting was held at Grayling Township Hall.

On November 21, 2022, a Camp Grayling RAB meeting was held. Updates on the drinking water sampling efforts around the Grayling area including Lake Margrethe along with an update on surface water and pore water sampling. Updates on the remedial investigation field work at Cantonment, GAAF, and the delay at MATES.
2023
On January 17, 2023, a Camp Grayling RAB meeting was held to discuss updates pertaining to the Camp Grayling investigations, including a delay in the MATES Remedial Investigation.

On May 16, 2023, a Camp Grayling RAB meeting was held to provide updates on the Camp Grayling investigations. The day included a visit from Office of Secretary of Defense, Environment and Energy Resilience staff, to conduct interviews with regulators and RAB members for the Environmental Cleanup Communication and Outreach Initiative.

On August 3, 2023, EGLE provided comment on the ARNG Draft Community Involvement Plan – Camp Grayling, MI.
2024
On May 15, 2024, a Town Hall was held to discuss ARNG investigation updates.

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