THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE November 21, 2006

Kurt M. Kobiljak, Grosse Ile Township Supervisor

BASF’s ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT TO BENEFIT THE DETROIT RIVER

Over the last few weeks I have received many questions regarding the construction project which is occurring just north of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge and the Riverview Boat Dock. As many who use the toll bridge have seen, there is great amount of work being done both on land as well as on the water. I thought I would use this E Update to bring Island residents up to speed on this MDEQ mandated program.

The property is owned by BASF, who is conducting an environmental remediation project. The project is designed to prevent groundwater at the site from entering the Detroit River and the surrounding area. The company expects to spend more than $25 million on environmental remediation and protection measures at the 30-acre site. The agreement for the remediation was reached between BASF and the Michigan DEQ.

The key features of this project are:

 Watertight barrier walls encircling the property, including steel, sheet-pile river wall that will extend into the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River.

 Dredging of sediments from the Trenton Channel adjacent to the site and enhancements to the shallow-water aquatic habitat.

 A groundwater collection system situated inside the barrier walls to keep groundwater from leaving the site.

 A multi-step, onsite groundwater treatment and recycling system.

 A watertight surface cap, surface grading and stormwater management system.

 Groundwater monitoring system on site and in the Trenton Channel to ensure compliance with environmental protection objectives.

 Maintenance of 4,000 poplar trees to provide a green boundary for the site remedy.

The use of this site in Riverview as a waste disposal facility pre-dates the 1969 acquisition of Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation by BASF in 1951. Since BASF did not need the Riverview property, it sold the property to Federal Marine Terminals (FMT) for the construction of a deep-water port. During the excavation, FMT found buried industrial debris and BASF subsequently repurchased the land.

In 1984, BASF signed a consent decree with both the State of Michigan and the U.S. EPA to ensure that contaminants form the property were prevented from being carried into the Detroit River by groundwater.

Under the approved plan, BASF installed a 24-inch thick impervious clay cap on the sections of the property where the contaminants resided. This was done to prevent rainwater and melting snow from soaking into the soil entering the groundwater, and thus causing the groundwater to move toward the river. In 1998, as part of BASF’s monitoring of the site, a small area of dead grass was found near the clay cap. BASF took immediate actions to prevent further contamination by capturing and removing the surface water from the site and enlarging the amount of property under the cap.

Most of the activity in the coming month will focus on dredging, which is expected to be completed by the end of December. Also included will be construction of the sheet pile barrier wall on the north end of the property along the riverfront, construction of a water treatment building on the west end of the property and the placement of additional construction equipment onsite.

I have asked BASF to attend our January Board Meeting so that we may review a very informative power point presentation and allow residents the ability to ask those questions they believe relevant regarding this project.

Additionally, as the project progresses we will keep you informed, both at our board meetings, E Updates, and potentially, a Supervisor’s Cable Update.

Township Offices Closure
Grosse Ile Township Offices will be closed in honor of the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24. The offices will re-open on Monday, November 27 at 8:00 a.m. The Treasurer’s Office Drop Box will be available for water and tax bill payments; checks only, no cash please!!

Anyone wishing to receive the monthly Supervisor’s E Updates, please send an email address to: KurtK@grosseile.com

Watch for E ALERTS for Breaking E News and on the township website or tune to AM 1700 Grosse Ile Community Information Radio.

Any questions or comments regarding the information provided in this E Update, or other questions related to the Township, please feel free to contact Supervisor Kobiljak at KurtK@grosseile.com or at his Township Office 734-676-4422 Ext. 215

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