Regarding the administrative order on consent (AOC). As documents are finalized by Environmental Stewardship Concepts ( Dr. deFur) they will be uploaded to the following site. Dr. deFur was retained by Lone Tree Council to assist our organization and the community to digest, comprehend and comment on the current efforts by the regulatory agencies to compel an eventual cleanup.
This latest round of work plans and expected outcomes is the functional equivalent of what Dow agreed to do in 2003. Not sure what Dow’s signature merits or what it’s worth six years later. It’s just a different agency different regulatory framework. Hopefully fewer politics and heftier enforcement will make this latest effort by EPA the last heave-ho before we move to a cleanup phase. We just don’t want to hear the next shoe drop.
Lone Tree Council requested a 30-day extension on the pubic comment period for the work negotiated between EPA, DEQ and Dow Chemical. The documents are detailed and there are many questions to be formulated. We appreciate EPA granting the extension, which will take us to December 17th.
The only public meeting on the AOC will be held on Thursday November 5th at 7 p.m. at Saginaw Valley State University’s Curtiss Hall (Campus map (PDF)), Banquet Rooms A&B. After a presentation by EPA and MDEQ staff there will be time to answer questions and then to submit oral comments. BUT WAIT MDEQ will hold a meeting to provide an update on the Dow corrective action work that has been ongoing over the summer and fall. This session will be in banquet room C and will start at 6 p.m.
We look forward to EPA and MDEQ explaining the fate and details of Dow’s corrective action obligations under their RCRA license (see paragraph 2, RCRA is what Dow agreed to in 2003).
Michelle Hurd Riddick
Tags: aoc, children, cleanup, contamination, deFur, Health, Lone Tree, meeting, november, politics
Meetings | mhr October 29, 2009 | 
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Lone Tree Council
P.O. 1251, Bay City, Michigan 48706
(Fighting for environmental justice since 1978)
Clean Watershed Campaign
For Immediate Release:
October 28, 2009 |
|
Michelle Hurd Riddick (989) 327-0854
Peter deFur (804) 741-2922
(804)690-4153
Terry Miller (989) 450-8097 |
Dr. Peter deFur to review EPA-Dow
negotiated plan for dioxin laden rivers
Read more »
Chicago Tribune did a great job capturing the long history of mid- Michigan’s dioxin contamination and local sentiment on Dow Chemical’s tarnishing the image of the Great Lakes Bay Region (aka Saginaw Valley). However, the dismissive and myopic comment from the Chamber of Commerce speaks volumes as to why this issue has not been resolved. Read more »
As anticipated, EPA announced Friday that Dow Chemical signed on the dotted line accepting the administrative order on consent (AOC) negotiated with the company behind closed doors over the summer. Contrary to some media reports this is not a cleanup plan. To coin EPA verbiage, “It does not contemplate cleanup”. This agreement only provides for an evaluation of dioxin contamination in the rivers and floodplain. It is far from a settlement too. Read more »
“In my experience, Dow only enters into negotiations if they can cut a better deal for themselves, not the environment.”
Former EPA Region V Administrator, Mary Gade
Greetings:
After spending the summer negotiating behind closed doors Region V EPA recently announced an agreement has been reached with Dow Chemical. The plan should be released to the public for comment in mid-October. We invite you to come often to Cleanwatershedcampaign.org for perspective and commentary of the process, plans, public involvement and progress as EPA attempts to move Dow Chemical off the dime. Read more »
“Taking a Stand for Our Land”
Addressing Saginaw’s Environmental Health Inequalities
Pamela L. (Pugh) Smith, MS, REHS
In 1992, the US Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) reported that racial minorities and low-income people were disproportionately exposed to lead, selected air pollutants, hazardous waste facilities, contaminated fish, and agricultural pesticides in the workplace. Read more »
Through a Mother’s Eyes
Marcia Woodman
I heard about Dow’s dioxin contamination on the Tittabawassee River in early 2002. I live on the river and wondered what dioxin was. In the coming months the state warned us to wear masks and to avoid contact with soil and sediments in the river. I have three small children who claimed the river and its banks as their playground. Read more »
Tags: accountability, children, cleanup, Delay, Health, MDEQ, pollution, River, scandal, toxic, Woodman
Current Comments | admin October 5, 2009 |
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