Communities smell money in the air

THE SAGINAW NEWS

Township leaders seem to agree on one thing: more trails.

Beyond that, the wish list varies among Saginaw County leaders as they contemplate a possible dioxin contamination agreement between the state Department of Environmental Quality and Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. that may include money for community projects.

Other ideas include a $1 million riverside park in Thomas Township, more money to fight crime and create jobs, and stopping a Saginaw River dredge spoils site.

Saginaw, Thomas, and Zilwaukee township leaders met Wednesday with Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Veronica Horn to brainstorm priorities on how they might divide any money in a potential trust fund.

"We want to fight to hang onto it in this community," said Horn, who scheduled additional meetings for today and Friday. "That's the bottom line."

Leaders had no shortage of ideas if a settlement occurs.

Thomas and Tittabawassee officials said they'd like the state Department of Environmental Quality to lift the "facility" label the agency applied to many properties along the Tittabawassee, sparking outrage among some residents and lawmakers who said the designation has affected property values and wasn't based on sound science.

Thomas, meanwhile, envisions a 63-acre riverside park with a boat launch, boardwalk, fishing platforms and viewing decks along River Road near Gratiot. Estimated cost: $1 million.

"Our first goal is to acquire (the property)," said Township Manager Russell P. Taylor.

Officials estimated it would cost at least $130,000 to buy the land from the County Road Commission, which acquired it in case it had to mitigate wetland loss in a State Street road project.

"They ended up with a piece of property they don't (need)," said Thomas Supervisor Robert Weise.

In Saginaw Township, officials eyed using money in parks impacted by dioxin contamination, such as West Michigan Park or the Center Road boat launch. Treasurer William McQuillan also suggested installing a coffer dam to keep water levels higher.

Tittabawassee Township Manager Brian Kischnick sent a letter that suggested earmarking money to boost economic development in Saginaw and along the Saginaw River, and to fight crime. Kischnick didn't attend the session.

Zilwaukee Township Treasurer Sue Cameron reiterated her hope to stop a county-owned Dredged Materials Disposal Facility from opening this fall near her home along the Saginaw River, or prevent Dow's use of it to dump dioxin-contaminated river muck.

Dow spokesman John C. Musser said it's no secret the company has said it has an interest in dumping dredged material, if needed, at the site. But no such move is in the works, he said.

"There's no plans, there's no agreements, there's no negotiations," he said.

County Public Works Commissioner James A. Koski said the county has not had talks with Dow. If the chemical giant intends to dump spoils at the site, the company would have to follow state and federal procedures that would include public hearings, he said.

Zilwaukee Township leaders also suggested a municipal water connection, the installation of natural gas lines to homes on Melbourne near the facility and repairs to the road.

Planning aside, state officials stressed that no settlement talks are on the drawing board regarding compensation for dioxin contamination.

"We're not at that point yet, (but) it's good that the communities are having discussions about this," said Robert McCann, a state Department of Environmental Quality spokesman. v

Barrie Barber covers politics and government for The Saginaw News. You may reach him at 776-9725.