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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Acting Director Aaron Keatley and U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore urging both EPA and EGLE to take immediate action to address chemical pollution emanating from the northern area of the former McLouth Steel site and contaminating the surrounding watershed.

“Citizens of my district have been reporting to me for several months about seeing white-colored leachate along Jefferson Avenue and in Monguagon Creek. I have raised these leachate concerns directly with EGLE as well, as you know, but while I appreciate EGLE’s efforts to keep me informed on the McLouth Steel site, I am concerned more attention and focus on this issue is needed,” Dingell wrote. “According to a recent report, state of Michigan officials have identified the substance, which was seen released from this site in March 2023, as calcium hydroxide. State officials have also reported dead fish in the Monguagon Creek and caustic pH levels high enough to cause skin burns.”

“It is my understanding that the state does not have clear knowledge of how long this has been happening or how much calcium hydroxide has contributed to the elevated pH levels at this site over the years,” Dingell continued. “It troubles me that the company was permitted to dig through the EPA installed cap and install railroad lines in the same area found to have leachate chemicals more than ten years ago. Right now, it is important for both EGLE—who is the lead agency overseeing this site—and EPA to jointly act to determine the source of this leachate, why it is happening, and how to swiftly address it moving forward. It is unacceptable for this level of pollution to continue.”

“The first phase of the former McLouth Steel cleanup and its addition to the Superfund National Priorities List was a historic win for Downriver. Still, there is a reason the former McLouth Steel property remains under EPA and EGLE oversight and cleanup authorities—the job is not done, and much more work is required. Work that must be done safely and carried out with input from residents,” Dingell concluded. “Following these reports, and behalf of all those who call Downriver home, I urge EGLE and EPA to work jointly on immediate actions to protect the public and the Detroit River, and to fully inform the community of the risks and timelines for a cleanup.”

View the full text of the letter here.