Eagle Ottawa Newaygo Farms (Walkerville, Oceana and Newaygo County)

Kelly Moss,MossK@Michigan.gov or 616-215-4588.

Eagle Ottawa Leather Company (EOLC) operated a tannery in Grand Haven, MI from approximately 1916 to 2007. In approximately 1994, EOLC began managing residuals from their wastewater treatment plant by dewatering, composting and then land applying. This practice concluded in ~2007. Residuals were transported from Grand Haven to two locations in parts of Oceana and Newaygo counties owned and operated by Eagle Ottawa Newaygo Farms until ~2007. In mid-2021, the "Hilltop" and "Longview" locations were sold, and the new owner submitted a Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in December 2021. The locations are used for various crop productions and concentrated animal feed operations (CAFO). The BEA contained information showing PFAS contamination in shallow groundwater above EGLE clean-up criteria across both locations. Many residential drinking water wells are present adjacent to both locations and EGLE will be requesting access to sample the wells.

Groundwater flow is unknown but is suspected to be toward Beaver Creek. Residential drinking water wells are present in all directions.

Content posted October 2022.

Between March 16 and May 12, 2022, EGLE collected 16 residential drinking water samples and local health and DHHS have communicated results. PFAS was detected in one residential with a result of 63 ppt PFOA and 27 ppt PFOS. District 10 Health Department provided a point of use filter to the resident where PFAS contamination was detected in drinking water.

EGLE will continue compliance communications with Lear.