Willow Run Airport (Ypsilanti, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties)

Eric Larson, LarsonE5@Michigan.gov or 586-255-6196.

Willow Run Airport is a general aviation airfield with all associated facilities, providing service for air cargo, charter airlines, and a flying school. The airport is located at 801 Willow Run Airport and encompasses approximately 2,600 acres north of Interstate 94 and west of Beck Road in Ypsilanti. A large portion of the airport property is in Wayne County and a small portion in Washtenaw County.

On April 30, 2019 surface water samples were collected from Willow Run Creek southwest of the property as part of stream monitoring performed by EGLE. Of the samples collected from Willow Run Creek, two sampling locations near Willow Run Airport exceeded water quality standards for PFOS. As follow-up action, Willow Run Airport was required to perform PFAS sampling at each storm water discharge point. The highest PFOS detection was 240 ppt. In July 2020, due to redevelopment of an airplane hangar on the northeast part of the property, groundwater samples were collected from the northeastern portion of the airport property.

Groundwater flow is in the south-southeast direction on the southern half of the airport. Groundwater flow is anticipated to be to the northeast in the northern part of the property where PFAS was detected. The Willow Run Airport is in the Huron River and Rouge River watersheds.

In 2018 the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a 'Do Not Eat' fish advisory for all fish in the Huron River in Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Monroe Counties. Fish samples were collected by EGLE Surface Water Assessment Section.

• Summary Table of Fish Results as of October 2020.

Content posted April 2021.

Based on current PFAS groundwater data, there are no plans at this time to sample residential wells. EGLE, MDHHS, Wayne County Health Department and Washtenaw County Health Department will evaluate data as it becomes available to continue to assess if residential well sampling is necessary.

EGLE, working with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Wayne County Health Department and Washtenaw County Health Department, identified 35 nearby water wells. EGLE, MDHHS, and Wayne and Washtenaw Counties will continue to assess the need for drinking water sampling as more PFAS groundwater data is collected in 2021. Willow Run Airport/LimnoTech will continue to implement the approved PFAS grant workplan under MDOT. Willow Run Airport/LimnoTech will finalize the Phase 2 investigation, which included additional sampling. EGLE anticipates receiving the Phase 2 investigation report in April 2021.