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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is nearing the end of its review of The Dow Chemical Company’s plans to address dioxin in Midland and along the Tittabawassee River.
Final approval of the document, with modifications, is expected by mid-June, officials say.
A first plan was given a notice of deficiency because the DEQ said it lacked detail and was too drawn out. It focused mostly on Tittabawassee River flood plain dioxin remediation. While that is still the primary area for action, the new version includes plans for Midland.
Shortly after the revision’s approval, soils in areas northeast of the Michigan Operations plant are likely to undergo testing.
The remedy for soils found to be higher than the 90 parts per trillion could include removal and replacement, DEQ director Steve Chester said at a community informational meeting last week. Other remediation plans and alternate action levels are also under consideration.
The 90 ppt standard is being challenged by state lawmakers, who proposed legislation Thursday to change it to the federal action level, 1,000 parts per trillion when and if it is determined that dioxin exposure is harmful to human health.
Al Taylor of the DEQ said Dow’s proposed work plans are in a draft form and have not been reviewed by management. "It’s a draft document and it’s changing every day as we’re looking at it," he said.
Changes by the DEQ will modify, clarify and expand details to ensure compliance with state regulations.
The timeline for investigation before taking action is also being changed, Taylor said – from Dow’s suggested four years, to two. The DEQ said the data it collected on aquatic ecologies is sufficient to require remediation and that no more study is necessary.
The DEQ also decided to use aerial photos taken during the March flood of the Tittabawassee River to determine focus areas for interim response activities.
Those actions are at the top of the list of priorities and are intended to limit human exposure until more extensive remediation takes place. Some are already under way, including the posting of informational signs at Saginaw and Freeland parks known to have high levels of dioxin.
Taylor said the department understands the task ahead for Dow is large.
"It took a long time for (dioxin) to get there, it’s going to take a long time to remove. We understand it’s going to take some time to do it right, we also don’t want to stretch it out longer than it needs to be," he said.
The work plans are only for Midland soils and the Tittabawassee River, though Taylor said the Saginaw River and bay also are contaminated with dioxin and will eventually have to be addressed.
The plans are a requirement for the Hazardous Waste Facility Operating License issued to Dow in June. |