On June 27, 2007, U.S. EPA ordered The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) to negotiate an Administrative Order on Consent, to address removal of extremely elevated levels of dioxin-contaminated soil from an eroding river bank within Reach JK of the Tittabawassee River near Midland, Michigan. Dow agreed to the terms of the Order and on July 12, 2007, the Order was signed by the Regional Administrator and Dow. For additional background information please see the site profile.
On August 6, 2007, the removal action at the Reach JK site was initiated by Dow pursuant to the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC).
Dow’s contractor began clearing vegetation and establishing a temporary road into the area. Reach JK will be divided into two areas. The area along the river bank where contaminated soil will be excavated will be designated JK-1, and an area further back from the river bank where clean soil will be used to cap contaminated soil will be designated JK-2.
Dow’s contractor completed clearing vegetation through an area where an 8 foot fence will be installed surrounding a Riparian Forested Wetland within Reach JK-2
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Jim Augustyn provided oversight with assistance from U.S. EPA’s START Contractor, Weston Solutions, Inc.
The following tasks have been completed by Dow's contractor during the period from August 6-9, 2007:
• Site survey to delineate area boundaries.
• A temporary access road into the site excavation area has been established.
• Vegetation and tree removal in section JK-2 of the site.
The following tasks are currently on going:
• Vegetation and tree removal along the river bank in order to access the excavation area of JK-1.
• Installation of erosion control silt fencing throughout the site.
• Installation of silt curtain in the river along the shoreline.
Dow's contractor will continue to remove vegetation, trees, and stumps along the river prior to excavating contaminated soil.
An 8 foot-high fence will be installed surrounding a Riparian Forested Wetland within Reach JK-2.
Excavated contaminate soil will be disposed of at Dow’s Salzburg Road Landfill
Review and approval of the Project Work Plan and associated Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan by U.S. EPA is pending.
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