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November 18, 2009

No dioxin contamination in samples from Saginaw, Midland and Bay City water supply systems

US EPA Region 5 said that results from a second round of samples collected from the Midland, Saginaw and Bay City, Mich., water supply systems show no dioxin or furan contamination. EPA rejected a previous round of unusable samples in early October 2009 due to laboratory contamination.

Baseline Post-Removal Sample Results for EU001 Riverside Boulevard

On Nov. 18, 2009, EPA released the baseline post-removal sampling data for EU001 Riverside Boulevard neighborhood. These samples were collected by Dow Chemical with oversight by EPA. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) collected split samples during this sampling event. The samples collected by Dow Chemical as well as MDEQ's split samples detected dioxins. The dioxin concentrations detected ranged from 0.3 ppt TEQ - 90.2 ppt TEQ.

November 5 Meeting Transcript

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November 12, 2009

CAG Membership Announced

Doug Sarno, an independent facilitator hired by EPA, today announced the membership of the community advisory group for the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River and Bay Superfund site. The members were selected by a six-person committee of local leaders.

Local Steering Committee Identifies Members for Community Advisory Board at the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River & Bay Superfund Site (PDF) (1pg, 104K)

November 10, 2009

Materials from the Nov. 5 Public Meeting

Here are materials from the Nov. 5 public meeting at Saginaw Valley State University:

October 22, 2009

Presentations from Oct. 20 meeting

These are the presentations used by EPA staff at the Oct. 20 public meeting:

October 16, 2009

EPA & MDEQ SEEK COMMENT ON PROPOSED DOW CHEMICAL AGREEMENT; PUBLIC MEETING NOV. 5

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said today that they are seeking comments from the public on a proposed settlement with the Dow Chemical Co. The settlement involves the next steps in a comprehensive Superfund evaluation of dioxin contamination in the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River and Bay and their floodplains. All three organizations have approved the proposed settlement. A public comment period runs Oct. 19 to Nov. 17. (Note: the comment period has been extended to December 17, 2009.)

EPA and MDEQ will not sign the proposed agreement until after the agencies have engaged the community and fully considered public comment. The proposed agreement -- contained in a legal document called an administrative order on consent -- could be revised based on comments received. A public meeting will be held Nov. 5, 7 p.m., at Saginaw Valley State University, Curtiss Hall, Banquet Rooms A&B, 7400 Bay Road, Saginaw. EPA will hold a question-and-answer session and accept public comments at the meeting.

October 15, 2009

EPA Plans to Develop Interim Preliminary Remediation Goals for Dioxin in Soil

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a plan to develop interim preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for dioxin in soil at Superfund sites. The plan includes a review of current dioxin cleanup guidance that has been established by the EPA, states and other countries, including the latest fully peer-reviewed dioxin toxicity assessments. EPA will release the draft interim PRGs for public comment in December 2009, and anticipates issuing the final interim PRGs in June 2010. EPA is currently undertaking a reassessment of dioxin, the results of which are expected to be released by the end of 2010.

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October 7, 2009

Public meeting about EPA's review of the UMDES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will discuss its review of the University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study, known as the UMDES, that was performed in the Midland-Saginaw area. Representatives from EPA will present details about the review at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Saginaw Valley State University, Curtiss Hall, Banquet Rooms A&B, 7400 Bay Road, Saginaw.

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October 5, 2009

EPA: SOME WATER SAMPLES FROM SAGINAW, MIDLAND AND BAY CITY UNUSABLE DUE TO LAB CONTAMINATION; RETESTING FOR FURANS TO BEGIN

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 said today that the results of some samples from the Midland, Saginaw and Bay City, Mich., water supply systems taken last July are faulty due to laboratory contamination. Test results showed low levels of furans in EPA's water samples. However, because the furans were also detected at similar concentrations in clean blank reference samples, EPA scientists quickly realized these results were actually caused by lab contamination. Since the results are unusable, EPA has contacted the cities to schedule a new round of sampling later this week.

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September 30, 2009

EPA REVIEWS UNIV. OF MICHIGAN DIOXIN STUDY; FINDS LIMITED APPLICATION TO TITTABAWASSEE RIVER AND SAGINAW RIVER AND BAY

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development has completed its review of a dioxin exposure study conducted by the University of Michigan in the Midland-Saginaw, Michigan area. EPA found the study was conducted well and provided useful, scientifically credible information. However, the study is of limited value to help EPA fully evaluate human exposure to levels of dioxin in the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River and Bay.

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September 28, 2009

Negotiation Update #6: Negotiations Conclude, Proposed Agreement Reached

Negotiations between EPA and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and The Dow Chemical Co. concluded on September 25, 2009. The negotiators believe they have reached agreement on an "administrative order on consent." EPA's June 2009 fact sheet, Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site (PDF) (2pp, 66K), provides more details about the topics that were discussed during the negotiations.

The proposed agreement must now be presented by the negotiators to their respective senior management. EPA and MDEQ are expecting Dow to sign the proposed agreement by October 15, 2009. EPA and MDEQ will not decide whether or not to sign any agreement until after they have considered public comment. After the company has signed the agreement, EPA and MDEQ will hold a comment period to give members of the public a formal opportunity to review and comment on the proposed agreement.

Anticipated Next Steps for Public Participation:

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September 25, 2009

Get Involved! CAG applications now available

EPA is moving forward with the formation of a community advisory group for the Dow Superfund site.

Applications are now available for membership on the CAG and are due to EPA no later than Oct. 16, 2009.

EPA has identified a steering committee that will review the application forms and select the membership for the Dow site CAG. The five steering committee members -- who will not be eligible to serve on the CAG -- were selected from nominations received from the community.

All area stakeholders are invited and encouraged to submit an application for membership on the CAG. More information and applications are available at www.epa.gov/region5/sites/dowchemical/ or by calling Jeff Kelley at 312-353-1159.

Completed applications should be mailed to (or dropped off at):

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
111 S. Michigan Ave. (LL015)
Saginaw, MI 48602

Applications can also be faxed to 312-697-2568 or emailed to krause.patricia@epa.gov.

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September 18, 2009

Negotiation Update #5: Negotiations Nearing Completion

EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Natural Resource Trustees have held several conference calls with The Dow Chemical Co. since negotiations were extended on Aug. 24. The negotiations will continue at least until Sept. 25, 2009. EPA is not expecting to extend this deadline. EPA will provide an update on the outcome of the negotiations the week of Sept. 28, 2009.

EPA's June 2009 fact sheet Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site (PDF) (2pp, 66K) provides more details about the topics that are being discussed during the negotiations.

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September 14, 2009

EPA has selected the steering committee that will convene a community advisory group for the Dow site. The five steering committee members -- who will not be eligible to serve on the CAG -- were selected from nominations received from the community:

EPA staff and facilitator Doug Sarno will meet with the committee later this week to discuss their role. The first job for the steering committee will be developing an application for community members interested in participating on the CAG. The applications should be available next week and will be due in mid-October.
More information about the CAG is available below under the August 21 update.

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September 9, 2009

Technical Staff Hired for EPA Community Information Office

On Oct. 5, 2009, Diane Russell will join EPA as a Superfund remedial project manager based at the Agency's Saginaw community information office. She will work primarily on the cleanup of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and Saginaw Bay. Diane was hired through a Detroit job fair organized by the federal Office of Personnel Management.

Diane is a life-long Michigander who majored in earth science and geophysics at Western Michigan University. After getting her degree, she moved to the mid-Michigan area to work as a science teacher and later accepted a position with one of EPA's contractors, Weston Solutions of Michigan. During her time with Weston, Diane has worked on several projects for EPA, including Hurricane Katrina cleanup efforts, the Great Lakes Legacy Act project in Sault Ste. Marie and the removal actions at Riverside Blvd. and West Michigan Park.

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August 25, 2009

Negotiation Update #4: Negotiations Extended

EPA has extended the negotiation period for a Superfund "administrative order on consent" with The Dow Chemical Co. On Aug. 24, 2009, EPA notified Dow that because progress had been made during negotiation discussions, it was appropriate to extend the Aug. 25 deadline. EPA's new deadline to conclude negotiations is Sept. 25, 2009.

EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the natural resource trustees will continue discussions with Dow through a series of conference calls. EPA will provide another update on the negotiations the week of Sept. 14, 2009. EPA’s fact sheet, "Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site," provides more details about the topics that are being discussed during the negotiations.

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August 21, 2009

Community Advisory Group update

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Aug. 15 CAG workshop. We know that some people wanted to participate, but had other commitments. There is still time to provide input. This update includes a brief recap of the meeting and information on how you can provide input on the topics discussed.

Documents: Following are links to the materials that were shared at the meeting.

Interests: For a community advisory group to be effective, it needs to be balanced and represent all the different viewpoints in a community. For such a geographically large site, it becomes difficult to make sure all the interests are represented while keeping the group a manageable size. Much of the discussion at the workshop centered on what interests should be represented. EPA distributed a draft list of possible interests in the community and then asked the meeting participants to discuss and provide feedback on the list (a link to the draft list is above). If you missed the workshop and want to share your ideas -- or attended but have more thoughts -- feel free to send them in an email to kelley.jeff@epa.gov by Sept. 4.

Steering Committee: The other big topic discussed at the workshop was the means of convening the CAG. EPA proposed selected a small steering committee (4-5 members) that would choose CAG members from applications. The steering committee would also be balanced to represent the whole community. Steering committee members would not serve on the CAG. The consensus from meeting participants was that this approach was a good way to get the CAG started, so EPA asked workshop participants to fill out forms (see above) nominating respected members of the community to serve on the steering committee. There is still time to make nominations for the Steering Committee. If you would like to serve on the Steering Committee, or if you are aware of someone who is a leader in the community that you believe would work to make sure the CAG has a balanced membership, please let us know in an email to kelley.jeff@epa.gov by Sept. 4.

CAG Members: At the meeting EPA also provided a short form for individuals who are interested in getting an application to be a member of the CAG. To make things easier, just send an email to kelley.jeff@epa.gov if you would like to receive an application.

Questions? Concerns? This is a very short summary of 3-hours of discussion. If you have questions about the workshop or would like to discuss the CAG process, please get in touch with Jeff Kelley (312-353-1159, kelley.jeff@epa.gov) or Don de Blasio (312-886-4360, deblasio.don@epa.gov).

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August 20, 2009

Negotiation Update #3: Negotiation Meeting Update

During the week of August 10, 2009, EPA and MDEQ held a multi-day negotiation meeting with The Dow Chemical Co. The most significant topics were:

The Natural Resource Damage Trustees were also represented during the meeting. In Superfund, responsibility for protection of natural resources falls with federal, state, and tribal trustees. This is because no one individual "owns" a natural resource; rather, they are held in trust for the public. More information is online .

EPA, MDEQ and the trustees have conference calls scheduled with Dow the week of August 17, 2009, to continue discussions. The negotiations will continue at least until August 25, 2009. EPA may extend this deadline if progress has been made in the negotiations. EPA will provide another update on the negotiations the week of August 24, 2009. EPA's fact sheet, "Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site," provides more details about the topics that will be discussed during the negotiations.

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August 15, 2009

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July 23, 2009

Municipal Water Sampling

Community members have raised questions about U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigational dredging in the Saginaw River. The concern is whether sediments re-suspended during the dredging will move downstream into Saginaw Bay and affect drinking water intakes. In response to this concern EPA agreed to testing at the water plants for Midland, Saginaw and Bay City. (Midland and Saginaw share a water intake in Saginaw Bay, but have separate drinking water treatment plants.)

EPA is planning two rounds of sampling. One round of sampling will be collected during a period of no dredging activity and the second round will be collected while dredging is underway. Samples will be collected of both the water entering the municipal water treatment systems and of the treated water sent to the communities. EPA plans to analyze the samples for a wide range of chemicals including dioxins, furans, volatile organics, semi-volatile organics, PCBs, pesticides and metals.

EPA is scheduled to collect the first round of samples the week of July 27, 2009. These samples will be collected during a period of no dredging activity since the Corps of Engineers stopped dredging the week of July 6, 2009. EPA's schedule for collecting samples while dredging is underway is dependent upon when the dredging resumes. EPA will provide an update when the schedule for collecting theses samples has been finalized.

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July 21, 2009

Negotiation Update #2: Negotiation Meeting Update

During the week of July 13, 2009, EPA and MDEQ held a multi-day negotiation meeting with The Dow Chemical. The most significant topics were:

The Natural Resource Damage Trustees were represented during the meeting. In Superfund, responsibility for protection of natural resources falls with federal, state, and tribal trustees. This is because no one individual "owns" a natural resource; rather, they are held in trust for the public. More information is online

EPA, MDEQ and the trustees are tentatively scheduled to meet with Dow in August to continue discussions. EPA will provide another update on the negotiations after that meeting. The negotiations will continue at least until August 25, 2009. EPA may extend this deadline if progress is being made during the negotiations. EPA’s fact sheet, "Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site," provides more details about the topics that will be discussed during the negotiations.

EPA Workshop to Discuss Community Advisory Group

Please join us at a public workshop to discuss the formation of a community advisory group for the Superfund cleanup of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and Saginaw Bay (Dow site). The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 15.

A Superfund community advisory group or CAG is a way for people in the community to participate in providing coordinated, local input to the decision-making process at Superfund sites. It is a forum for community members to present and discuss their needs and concerns related to Superfund cleanup projects. A CAG assists U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in making better decisions by providing the Agency a unique opportunity to hear and seriously consider community preferences for site cleanups.

At large and complex Superfund projects like the Dow site, CAGs can serve a critical role in ensuring all community issues are understood and considered. CAGs also work as a conduit making sure needed information is provided to area residents. EPA wants to work with the local communities to establish a CAG for this site.

West Michigan Park cleanup completed

EPA has finished work at Saginaw Township's West Michigan Park. The cleanup got underway on April 27 and included the removal of more than 17,000 tons of dioxin-contaminated soil. Last week contractors finished up by installing guardrails and paving the parking lot and by planting 5,000 native plants along the shoreline. The park will be reopened after the new grass and plants have had time to get reestablished -- likely by mid-August.

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June 29, 2009

Negotiation Update #1: Negotiations Resume

EPA is resuming negotiations with Dow Chemical for a Superfund "administrative order on consent." On Friday, June 26, 2009, EPA notified Dow that the offer the company submitted to EPA on February 13, 2009, is sufficient to continue the negotiation process. EPA's fact sheet "Superfund Process and Negotiations at the Dow Site" provides more details about the topics that will be discussed.

EPA is tentatively scheduled to meet with MDEQ and Dow to begin discussions in mid-July. EPA will provide an update on the negotiations after this meeting. The negotiations will continue at least until August 25, 2009. EPA may extend this deadline if progress is being made during the negotiations.

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June 24, 2009

West Michigan Park update

About 17, 310 tons of contaminated soil has been removed from West Michigan Park and transported it to People's municipal Landfill in Birch Run Michigan for disposal. The removal was carried out by The Dow Co. with oversight by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As of June 24, 2009, 100 percent of the park has been excavated and backfilled. As part of activities,the stream bank has been given a more gradual slope and the new bank has been stabilized using native plants. During resloping, two trees were removed at the riverbank and stone was placed at the toe of the slope to prevent erosion. Gravel access paths and pads have been placed to allow access to the riverbank for park users. Six trees were replanted throughout the park and the park has been reseeded. When vegetation is re-established the playground equipment will be re-installed and the park will be reopened to the public for use. The area in which the playground equipment will be replaced has been raised one foot from its original height. The gravel driveway and parking lot have been excavated and backfilled with certified clean fill. The parking lot driveway will be paved with asphalt. Implementation of the barrier control plans associated with the Elevated Contamination Areas 1-6 are continuing and are expected to be completed by July 1.

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June 19, 2009

Fact sheets and presentations from the June 17, 2009, public meeting:

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May 26, 2009

Following a series of stakeholder meetings in March, on May 26 EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the approach EPA will take in its ongoing effort to address dioxin issues in the Tri-Cities area. Details are in a news release issued by EPA Headquarters, a letter to residents and a document on the reinvigorated dioxin reassessment.

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April 24, 2009

On April 1, EPA and the Michigan Department of Community Health launched a partnership with the Saginaw County Public Health Department and three other local organizations to make sure that vulnerable populations are better informed and more aware of any potential risks associated with fish consumption. Vulnerable populations include women of childbearing years, children and those who rely on local fish for sustenance. EPA provided $75,000 for the "Fish Smart, Eat Smart" program, which will be more than matched by in-kind contributions from local partners. EPA and MDCH officials will participate in the next Tri-Cities Dioxin Community Meeting on May 6 and will discuss this outreach program in more depth with interested residents.

For more information: www.mi.gov/fishandgameadvisory/Exit EPA Disclaimer

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April 10, 2009

To address concerns about EPA's current approach at the site, Administrator Lisa Jackson dispatched a high-level team from her office and EPA Region 5 to meet with groups and report back about concerns and options for addressing the site. EPA has suspended the negotiation process. Administrator Jackson will make a decision on how to proceed.

EPA Administrator Jackson letter re: dioxin contamination in Saginaw Bay Watershed (PDF ) (2pp, 92K)

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March 2009

Dow Chemical will start cleanup at Saginaw Township's West Michigan Park and nearby properties in April. West Michigan Park is located three miles upstream from where the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee rivers flow together. As a result of flooding, dioxin contaminated river sediment has settled in the area. Cleanup and restoration activities are expected completed with the park re-opening in June.

Dow will give EPA a detailed work plan by March 13 and if EPA approves the plan, it will oversee Dow's cleanup of the 5-acre park. Cleanup actions will include digging up 12 inches of soil, backfilling with clean soil, paving the park's driveway and parking lot, and elevating playground equipment. Cleanup work will also address contaminated "hot spots" at River Forest Condominium complex to the west and several residential lots east of the park.

Additionally, as part of the agreement, Dow will perform a limited study on how residents use the southern portion of their property in the floodplain of the river and near the shoreline. Results of the study will be reviewed by EPA, the Agency for Toxic Substances, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Michigan Department of Community Health. If EPA and partners determine that the southern portion of property exposes residents to dioxin-contaminated soil, a barrier control plan will be developed and put in place to minimize this pathway of exposure.

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January 2009

EPA, MDEQ and The Dow Chemical Company are involved in negotiations to investigate and then clean up dioxin and other contaminants lying in sediment in and along the banks of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and in Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron.

EPA issued a Special Notice Letter (PDF) (9pp, 152K) December 15, 2008, calling on parties to negotiate a process that can be used to develop a comprehensive cleanup for the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers as well as Saginaw Bay. The talks will be taking place over the next 60 days, but the timeline can be extended by an additional 30 days if progress is being made.

EPA and MDEQ hosted an open meeting on Thursday, January 15 at Saginaw Valley State University as an opportunity for the public to learn more about what is being done about contamination in the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and in Saginaw Bay.

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