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 sediment from within Reach O 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 13, 2007, the removal action at the Reach O 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. Site materials and equipment are being mobilized and staged on site.
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Brian Schlieger 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 13-16, 2007:
• Site survey to delineate area boundaries.
• A temporary access road into the site has been established.
The following tasks are currently on going:
• Vegetation and tree removal along the river bank in order to access the excavation areas.
Dow's contractor will continue to remove vegetation and trees along the river bank. A temporary haul road will need to be put in place along the river prior to excavating contaminated sediment.
The following tasks will begin within the next week:
• Installation of erosion control silt fencing throughout the site.
• Installation of silt curtain in the river along the shoreline.
• Drive temporary sheet piling in the river to delineate the three sections of highest dioxin-contamination.
Excavated contaminated sediment 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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