Community Comments on EPA Plan
Public comment on the recent AOC negotiated behind closed doors with Dow resulted in a number of comments submitted on the record. Although long with some very detailed comments it is well worth the read for insight into the issue.
Residents along the river overwhelmingly wanted EPA to do the work, bill Dow for it, and not permit Dow to create further delays. EPA declined. The business/chamber crowd and some elected officials just wanted EPA to sign the document, arguing the need to put the issue behind us. These would be the same folks who over the past eight years never once lamented the delays created by Dow’s deficient, incomplete and late work plans, the company’s legal challenges or political interference. There were no comments from these folks on the actual order. Dow signed the agreement early on in October signaling their politicians and surrogates in the community to get on board and make sure EPA signs the agreement: Hence the rant from Dow sympathizers about an additional 30 days for public comments. In the end, EPA obliged, announcing they signed the agreement without any changes based on the vast majority of comments supporting the order.
Comments submitted by elected officials proclaim how serious they take their concern for public health as they implore EPA to move on this issue. An epiphany? In the last 8 years none of these elected officials defined this dioxin debacle as a public health issue. Some of them attacked MDEQ and insisted that Michigan use the un-protective standard of 1000 ppt (first suggested by Dow Chemical) instead of the state’s 90 ppt standard for dioxin. Others remained silent (even as private citizens). Some supported legislation over the years that would have made it near impossible to identify residential properties as contaminated. Continuing to do Dow’s bidding these elected officials offered no suggestions to improve on the order, ensure public participation, demand transparency or insist there be no more delays. Instead these elected officials ignore the past and feign concern for public health.
EPA website document: EPA website
Locally cached copy: Local copy
