Adviser: Process could lead to contamination cleanup Comment period ends Thursday
By Tony Lascari tlascari@mdn.net Published: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 9:35 PM EST

The effectiveness of a proposal that could lead to cleanup of contamination in the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay depends on public involvement, environmental scientist Peter deFur said Tuesday.

As a technical adviser to the community through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, deFur reviewed a proposed agreement between the EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and The Dow Chemical Co. on how to address contamination in local waterways, including dioxins, furans and a long list of others.

Bay City resident John Witucki got to the heart of many residents' concerns when he asked deFur how well the proposed agreement would resolve the contamination issue.

If the work outlined in the plan is done as described, deFur said it is likely to provide a comprehensive cleanup that is protective of human health and the environment. But, will the EPA, MDEQ and Dow carry through with the plans in the documents?

"I think that depends mostly on you," he told the crowd of 50 to 60 people gathered at the Delta College Lecture Theatre.

One of the points he'd like to see strengthened in the proposed agreement is the plan for public participation. He'd also like to see the agreement clarify what would happen if Dow sells land that is contaminated. In addition, the agreement should require a report on what data is still needed to assess the site; a statement on why it's important to look at how the contamination gets into humans and animals; and a report on the cumulative risk assessment, which would consider the combined conditions faced by local communities.

The overall cleanup process will take years and "more than a pretty penny," deFur said. He said the proposed agreement is important.

"It's an important step. It's a really significant one," he said, noting that once it's in place, the process to finish collecting information and design possible solutions can begin.

The community event Tuesday was sponsored by several environmental groups, including the Lone Tree Council. LTC Chairman Terry Miller said the community was fortunate to have deFur as a technical adviser. Miller said deFur was able to point to several studies that show the human health risks associated with dioxins and did a good job fielding a variety of questions.

To review the draft agreement between EPA, MDEQ and Dow Chemical, go to: http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/dowchemical/index.htm.

Public comments on the plan will be accepted by the EPA until 5 p.m. Thursday. To comment, visit www.epa.gov/region5/publiccomment or e-mail krause.patricia@epa.gov. People also can fax comments to (312) 697-2568.

Dow spokeswoman Mary Draves said Dow staff members attended the event. Dow supports having outside groups and a technical adviser review the plan.

"From our perspective, we continue to support the review of the proposed agreement and would encourage individuals in the community to make their views known by utilizing the public comment process which ends on (Thursday)," Draves said.

Dow has signed the proposed agreement and is waiting for the public comment period to end to see how the EPA will proceed, either choosing to sign the agreement or reopening negotiations based on the comments received.

"We can't speculate as to EPA's response to comments. However we will continue to utilize their process and are remaining focused on moving toward resolution of the issue," Draves said.

Reader Comments The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of ourmidland.com. jmidland wrote on Dec 16, 2009 6:58 PM:

" While they're at it why not insist on curbing the pollution in our air? Would hate to live southeast of Dow. How are they disposing waste now, when they have areas that workers must sign liability away for risk of becoming sterile or other health problems? Hope Dow moves completely towards green technology and away from the toxins it currently produces. This area would benefit greatly from these new projects we're hearing about. "

Brenda A wrote on Dec 16, 2009 9:05 PM:

" Not all sources of contamination and ongoing pollution are being addressed. I have no confidence that these issues are ever going to be acknowledged just as I'm sure they'll never acknowledge all the adverse health effects and birth defects brought on by dioxins, furans and PCBs. Certain scientifically acknowledged cancers aren't the only threat to health, folks. I remain certain the coronary artery anomaly I was born with as well as the neurologic auto-immune disease I've suffered with since 1983. Nothing can be done to undo what was done to us in the past other than maybe improve the quality of our lives through adaptive aids and modifications to homes and to clean it up to prevent the same things from happening to future generations so Midland will no longer be seen by outsiders as a waste site. "

Kathy wrote on Dec 16, 2009 11:43 PM:

" Public participation is critical for this cleanup. Midland residents have a long history of not participating for alleged threats of losing their jobs at Dow and being ostracized by the community.

How pitiful that you are told to shut up and put up with an environment that will likely eventually affect you and your family's health. Not to mention the entire watershed.

Folks, it really doesn't have to be this way. Please speak up, or the waterway might see cleanup, but Midland will not. "

Inform Midlanders wrote on Dec 17, 2009 6:12 AM:

" I agree with Kathy-public participation in this process is essential. Public comments will be accepted until 5 pm today. Kathy's also correct regarding the historical lack of public comment participation of Midlanders on this topic. It is not just those employed by Dow that are afraid of losing their jobs, it is also those employed by the City of Midland, the County, and a myriad of other organizations and businesses who fear losing their shirts and having food taken out of their children's mouths, if they voice desire for cleanup. This is due to the influence given of people who sit on various boards in the community, members of funding foundations, local government leadership and the Chamber. It's important not to give one's power away or to allow the emotional blackmail to continue by accepting the contamination being unremediated in the watershed or the City of Midland.

There is strength in numbers. Please take the time to voice your opinion on this matter, if you want this mess cleaned up rather than just continuing to talk about it in hushed circles. Information is in the above article on where to submit a public comment.

For those interested in expressing their opinions on the issue regarding the City of Midland's cleanup, under MDEQ not the EPA, one can contact: taylora@Michigan.gov "

JMW wrote on Dec 17, 2009 1:19 PM:

" The headlines says it all. "Process could lead to contamination cleanup.Trust me the clean up is years if not if it even happens at all. There is only on to balme and thats Dow Chemical who continues to contaminate out enviroment and refuses to even to accept responsibility. As far as they are concerned they have been framed ny faulty testing by enviromental groups trying to sabatoge their business. But almost as bad is our lack of presure to make Dow Chemical step up to the plate and clean up the mess they have created. Its been going on for decades and will continue as long as we sit back and leave it up to the EPA and the high end lawyers Dow Cehmeical pays to stall the process.. "

http://www.ourmidland.com/articles/2009/12/19/local_news/2292820.txt

For additional articles like this one, go to the Tittabawassee River Watch web site www.trwnews.net for complete coverage of the Tittabawassee River Dow Chemical dioxin contamination saga. . The Newspaper / Media page of our site contains an extensive archive of media articles dating back to January 2002. The source organization's web site link is listed to the right of the article, visit often for other news in our area. The Newspaper / Media page may be accessed by scrolling down to the bottom of the CONTENTS section and clicking on the Newspaper/Media link.