Tribar

The repercussions of PFAS contamination continue to grow. Not only has it impacted fishing and recreation on the Huron River, it's affecting farmers and agriculture. Jason Grostic is owner of Grostic Cattle Company in Livingston County. His operations have been shut down because his cows tested positive for PFAS. As such, he’s gone nearly two years without a source of income and is now suing the source of the contamination, Wixom-based Tribar Manufacturing. He's also pushing state lawmakers to pass polluter-pay legislation that may prevent such occurrences in the future. Grostic shared his emotional story with WEMU's David Fair.

On May 21st, you can join in a celebration of the Huron River. Huron River Day festivities include recreational opportunities, educational programs, food, and live music. So, how is the health of the river? Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman joined WEMU's David Fair to provide updates on PFAS contamination, the threat of hexavalent chromium, and to explain why the river is fully available for fun and recreation.

Yousef Rabhi's tenure as a state representative has ended. However, he will be sworn in Wednesday evening and return to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Rabhi joined WEMU's David Fair to fill us in on local environmental priorities in the new year and how his tenure in the Michigan Legislature may help in his return to the county board.

A renewed call for action has emerged following the release of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium into the Huron River this past summer. WEMU's Cathy Shafran reports.

The Huron River has, once again, been put at risk because of a chemical spill. First it was PFAS contamination, and now it's Hexavalent Chromium. In both instances, the same Wixom-based company is responsible. Yet, the laws in Michigan do not allow for holding the company liable. That wasn't always the case. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, got together with the author of Michigan's original and now-dismantled polluter pay legislation. Former Ann Arbor State Senator Lana Pollack weighed in on the need to re-institute liability laws to better protect the environment.

The same Wixom company that dumped PFAs into the Huron River may be causing more damage with the release of a carcinogenic chemical into the sewer system. Monitoring continues to see if the contamination will reach Washtenaw County. Huron River Watershed Council executive director, Rebecca Esselman, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest on the health of the Huron River.

State health officials have lifted all of the contact restrictions on all parts of the Huron River. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell says she is furious about the spill of toxic chemicals into the Huron River. And she has called for an emergency response team from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to step in. WEMU's Cathy Shafran has more.