It’s official. Washtenaw County is moving forward with plans to try to get the 1,4 dioxane plume in our area designated as a Superfund site.
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that asks Governor Gretchen Whitmer to request Superfund designation for the plume from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Commissioner Katie Scottsays if the EPA moves forward with the designation, they would gather public input on how the polluter, Gelman Sciences, should clean up the site.
Commissioner Katie Scott: So, this isn’t something that even though you look for EPA Superfund, that the taxpayers take the burden for. If there is a polluter to pay, the EPA will have the polluter pay.
The board of commissioners plans to send a letter to Governor Whitmerrequesting Superfund designation as soon as possible. If the governor moves forward with the request, it will go to the EPA, which could still take years to decide on the issue.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU today to keep your community NPR station thriving.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
