Background

The Corps is attempting to push through a dioxin dumping site along the Saginaw River that is not only unsafe for people and wildlife but is strongly opposed by local residents in Zilwaukee Township.  Amazingly, the Corps wants to do this without ever conducting the federally-required Environmental Impact Statement, which would mandate looking at other potential sites and ensuring that the site chosen is the best one.  Environment Michigan has joined the Lone Tree Council to file suit to compel the Corps to carefully evaluate whether their preferred site – which was chosen based almost solely on cost – is the best place to dump the dioxin-contaminated sediment in the river.  The source of much of the dioxin is the Dow Chemical factories upstream.

Sampling done by the Corps in 2004 found dioxin levels in these sediments that average nine times the state’s maximum allowable limit for residential use.  Instead of properly disposing of these contaminated sediments in a secure facility, the Corps proposes to deposit them in an open, unlined 281-acre pit located: in a jurisdictional wetland; in the flood plain of the Saginaw River; directly above groundwater; adjacent to a state game reserve; and about 200 yards from the nearest homes.  Moreover, the Corps has indicated that, if this site is developed as planned, it would also be considered for the disposal of sediments from private dredging.  The “private dredging” on the horizon is likely Dow Chemical’s much larger project to remove even more highly contaminated dioxin-laden sediments from the river.

Environment Michigan – through our National Environmental Law Center – joined with Lone Tree Council’s counselor Bob June in the case against the Corps to compel a sensible environmental impact assessment as part of its long-standing work to protect citizens from Dow Chemical’s pollution.