Midland group will not greet Granholm today
Kathie Marchlewski , Midland Daily News
06/08/2004
If progress begins to slip, the Midland residents mobilized to speak out on dioxin contamination will step up. But Gov. Jennifer Granholm's ride on the Rail-Trail today will go forward without a rally that some had been planning.
Midland Matters launched in May after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced plans to test and mitigate area soils with levels of dioxin exceeding the state's residential contact criteria. The group's goal is to have the state's dioxin standard re-examined, taking into account actual risk before taking action, and members had been considering greeting Granholm at the end of her visit with signs and banners.
Since lawmakers have been in what the group considers positive meetings with the DEQ and the governor, Bill Egerer, group organizer, said it reconsidered plans for the rally. "We're not here for an emotional show and tell," he said.
"We are encouraged MDEQ is demonstrating some apparent flexibility in placing science ahead of enforcement," Egerer said. "I want this to work. I don't want to get in the way of the people who are negotiating."
With the help of native Midland state and federal lawmakers, Granholm has been made aware of the potential impact remediation plans could have on Midland and has agreed to slow plans.
State Rep. John Moolenaar and Sen. Tony Stamas, along with others in the House and Senate and Congressman Dave Camp, have been in active conversation with the governor and her staff. Moolenaar has suggested funding for a bioavailability study to determine how much dioxin is absorbed when soil is ingested, and he and Stamas have introduced bills that would raise the state standard of 90 parts per trillion to the federal level of 1,000 ppt.
Egerer said Midland Matters has "guarded optimism" about the progress and will be monitoring the process.
The group is continuing to collect petitions from residents wanting to support its position that the DEQ should be using "good science" and common sense as it moves forward. Chemical Bank, Comerica Bank and Wolverine Bank are helping in the effort, and will accept petitions at their drivethrough windows. Residents can access the petition at home at www.midlandmatters.com. The website also has information about the group and updates on activities.
