On 7/27/11, MDEQ requested U.S. EPA assistance with a drum that had been dumped in the East Branch of the AuSable River in Frederic, Crawford County, Michigan. MDEQ Staff reported the presence of a drum upstream of county road 612 at coordinates (-84.59625, 44.78859). Utilizing waders, MDEQ Staff verified a 55-gallon drum is resting on its side in the river approximately 12 feet north of the river bank in about 4 feet of water in the AuSable River and requested U.S. EPA assistance.
OSC Lippert responded and mobilized START to the site. OSC Lippert and START met on-site at 2200 hours assessed the situation, located and verified the drum. The drum is in poor condition, appears to be full and mostly buried in the sediment of the AuSable River. ERRS was mobilized and U.S. EPA will initiate drum removal at 0800 hours on 7/28/11.
