News Releases from Region 05

Cleanup of PCB-Contaminated Sediment Begins Near Otsego Township Dam in Michigan

For Immediate Release: No. 16-OPA030

CHICAGO (Aug. 5, 2016) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began oversight of a removal action being performed by a group of responsible parties that will clean up PCB-contaminated sediment and riverbank soil along the Kalamazoo River near the Otsego Township Dam in Otsego Township.

The cleanup will focus on a 1.7 mile area of PCB-contaminated sediment and riverbank soil along the Kalamazoo River between the M-89 Bridge and the old Otsego Township Dam. Work will include removing contaminated sediment and riverbank soil from the river, stabilizing riverbanks to prevent future contamination and erosion, and disposal of contaminated materials at approved landfills. Once the contaminated material is removed, workers will test and monitor the area, backfill areas with clean soil, and restore the area with native plants.

A public meeting will be held on Aug. 23, 2016, at the Otsego District Public Library from 6 - 7:30 p.m. EPA representatives will make formal presentations to discuss the cleanup as well as other aspects of the larger Allied Paper/Kalamazoo River site cleanup.

Date:               Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016

Location:         Otsego District Public Library
                      401 Dix Street, Otsego

Time:              6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

In August 1990, the Allied Paper/Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site was listed on EPA’s National Priorities List. PCB is the primary contaminant at the site.

More information about the site is available at: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0502325.

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