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EPA issues action plan to protect residents in Tittabawassee flood plain

Release Date: 06/07/2011
Contact Information: Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, [email protected]

For Immediate Release
No. 11-OPA052

(CHICAGO – June 7, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an interim plan to protect residents in flood plain areas along Michigan's Tittabawassee River from dioxin exposure. The Dow Chemical Co. has agreed to implement the plan under EPA supervision.

EPA's plan was developed with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and presented for public comment last winter. The plan focuses on high-use areas of residential properties that contain bare soil and flood frequently. It calls for Dow to assess about 300 residential properties and take action where needed. Possible actions may include placing gravel, stone, or wood chips over flood plain soil, and moving or raising gardens and recreational areas.

While these actions are underway, EPA and MDEQ will continue working toward a comprehensive cleanup plan for Dow to implement. EPA will take public comments and consult with MDEQ before considering approval of a comprehensive cleanup plan.

For more information on EPA and MDEQ's plans for the Tittabawassee River, and Saginaw River and Bay, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/dowchemical/