EGLE Hosting Public Meeting and Accepting Public Comments Regarding Wolverine World Wide’s Perimeter Monitoring Response Activity Plan for PFAS

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT DIVISION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY, October 6, 2020
Online Webinar Meeting
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is hosting a public meeting and accepting public comments regarding Wolverine World Wide’s Perimeter Monitoring Response Activity Plan for the North Kent Study Area, Plainfield and Algoma Townships, Kent County.

Written comments are being accepted until October 24, 2020, on a Response Activity Plan (ResAP) for Perimeter Monitoring in the North Kent Study Area that Wolverine World Wide (Wolverine) is required to conduct per the February 19, 2020, Consent Decree between the State of Michigan, Algoma and Plainfield Townships, and Wolverine.

This ResAP details the perimeter groundwater monitoring investigation proposed by Wolverine in the North Kent Study Area. The objective of this investigation is to monitor for potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) groundwater migration outside of the municipal water areas by further evaluating the vertical and horizontal extent of PFAS at the perimeter of the municipal water areas. Properties located outside of the municipal water areas continue to use groundwater as a source for potable water necessitating further investigation and monitoring of PFAS groundwater contamination.

The portions of this Perimeter Monitoring ResAP that were already subject to the public notice and comment period for the February 2020 Consent Decree are not subject to change based on this new public participation process. The portions that were previously publicly noticed can be found in Section 7.9, Appendix N of the February 2020 Consent Decree posted online here: www.michigan.gov/belmont.

An electronic copy of this Perimeter Monitoring ResAP report can be found posted on the House Street Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website at www.michigan.gov/belmont, under the heading “Recent Accomplishments.” A paper copy of the report is also available for review at the City of Rockford, Algoma Township, and Plainfield Charter Township offices. The review period will last at least 30 calendar days from the date of this publication. Written comments can be emailed to EGLE-RRD-Housestreet@michigan.gov, or mailed prior to October 24, 2020, to Karen Vorce, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Remediation and Redevelopment Division, 350 Ottawa Avenue, NW, Unit 10, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2341.

EGLE is providing the opportunity for a public meeting and comment period regarding these Response Activity Plans consistent with Section 20120d of Part 201, Environmental Remediation, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

The state is taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. As a result, an online public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Perimeter Monitoring ResAP. Additional details regarding how to access this online meeting are posted on www.michigan.gov/belmont. If you do not have access to a computer, you can listen live during the meeting by calling: Phone No.: 1 (562) 247-8422. When prompted enter the Attendee Access Code: 969-800-348.

Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation for the online meeting should contact Karen Vorce (RRD Project Manager) at 616-439-8008, to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance.

EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Information Contact: Karen Vorce, Remediation and Redevelopment Division, 616-439-8008 or vorcek@michigan.gov.