|
On
2/22/05, after 20 years of controversy, the EPA issued
an “Administrative Order”, delegating the cleanup at Bay
Harbor Resort to the Superfund Removal Response
Authority. CMS, one of the Resort’s development
partners, was held responsible for cleaning up this site
contaminated with hazardous cement kiln dust (CKD)
wastes. EPA declared that the CKD leachate (natural groundwater contaminated after flowing
through the CKD piles) constituted a threat to public
health, welfare and the environment. These findings
reinforced a 2004 MDEQ report which found that exposure
to CKD leachate will have injurious effect on public
health, wildlife and aquatic life.
EPA’s 2005 “Order” lists
specific measures to be taken by CMS to halt the
delivery of toxic leachate into Little Traverse Bay (LTB),
and to protect public health and the environment. EPA’s
list contains many interim or stop-gap measures to be
taken but clearly states that the ultimate or final
remedy requires CMS to; (1) Remove the CKD, (2) Isolate
or Contain the CKD, or (3) Other methods superior to (1)
or (2).
In September 2007, following
months of strong public protest over CMS’ plans to
dispose toxic leachate in a deep well near Alba and
discharge treated leachate into LTB, Friends of the
Jordan (FOJ) hosted a day-long meeting between
representatives of CMS, MDEQ and a panel of expert
consultants and stakeholders. FOJ’s goals for this
meeting were to persuade CMS to seek alternative methods
of leachate disposal, stop the dispersal of toxic
leachate and assist CMS in fulfilling EPA’s Order. The
results of that meeting indicate that CMS only intends
to implement some of interim measures far into the
future and has no plans to remove, isolate or contain
the CKD. To FOJ, this runs contrary to EPA’s Order and
common sense.
Therefore, if there is ever to
be an end to the debacle at Bay Harbor, EPA must enforce
it’s “Order” of 2/22/05 and insist that CMS remove,
isolate or contain the CKD, NOW. In so doing
there would be no leachate, no need for a disposal well
in Alba, no beach closures and threats to public health
and the contamination of LTB would stop. Property owners
at Bay Harbor would see their property values restored
and the priceless water resources and the environment of
Northern Michigan protected.
Why, in this world starved for
fresh potable water, must we sit idly by while this
unnecessary threat to the life-blood of our planet and
quality of our lives- fresh clean water- goes unabated?
We already have the tools and technology needed to solve
this problem if we all work together toward the common
goal of clean water. Please support our petition urging
EPA and CMS to comply with the “Order” of 2/22/05. FOJ
will compile your comments and forward them to EPA, MDEQ,
CMS and our elected representatives.
Dr. John W.
Richter
Dr.
Richter is a veterinarian in East Jordan, MI and
President of Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, Inc. |