Kalamazoo River update: new project for 2007 dredge disposal announced

No. 07-OPA068

(Chicago, Ill. - April 25, 2007) E.P.A. Region five today announced a tentative arrangement with 2 companies that PCB-contaminated sediment removed this year from an area around the Plainwell Impoundment will not be sent to the Allied Paper disposal area in Kalamazoo, Mich.

"EPA has clearly heard the concerns of Kalamazoo officials and residents," said Regional Administrator Mary Gade. "This arrangement allows more time to better address local concerns about disposal without further delaying the time-critical cleanup work at the Plainwell Impoundment."

No determination has been made regarding a disposal location or sites for material excavated during 2008. E.P.A. will solicit public input on all disposal options considered.

"The arrangement ensures this important cleanup plan will move forward while addressing the concerns that we have heard," said Steven E. Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. "I look forward to keeping an open dialogue with the community as we continue our efforts to restore the Kalamazoo River."

The 2007 cleanup work - which was halted on April 13 to allow for additional community input - will resume on May 2. E.P.A. expects that about one-third of the sediment will be removed during 2007. Under the new plan, material excavated from the river during 2007 will be sent to permitted commercial landfills.

The alternative project for 2007 was suggested by Georgia-Pacific and Millennium Holdings. The companies agreed to perform the $21-25 million cleanup under E.P.A. and Michigan DEQ oversight earlier this year. The government agencies and companies agreed to the new disposal approach this week. A variety of technical, logistical and financial details will be addressed over the next few weeks.

Under a cleanup project announced February 28, an estimated 132,000 cubic yards of sediment was to be sent to Allied Paper's existing disposal area during the 2007-2008 construction seasons. Though the disposal project for 2007 has been revised, both E.P.A. and Michigan DEQ firmly believe the original work project presented in February is fully protective of human health and the environment and would have presented no negative impacts to the Kalamazoo community, environment or economy.

More information about the Allied Paper/Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund location may be found at http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/kalproject/

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