DEQ director details state environmental challenges, plans

CADILLAC - Groundwater, mercury and dioxin contamination - these are scary scenarios for the state environmental regulatory agency.

These are also problems faced throughout Michigan. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Chester visited Cadillac Thursday to discuss some local and state problems.

One of the biggest problems faced by the DEQ comes from the state itself. Budget deficits over the past few years have hurt the agency's enforcement and compliance ability. But cross-training employees and a fresh focus on working with businesses and environmentalists have helped

"We are willing to meet and discuss issues with any stakeholder and work with them on issues - we're not going to exclude any groups," Chester said.

The DEQ desires to keep the wheels of government in motion for businesses by responding quickly to air permit requests. Since beginning a new issuing program in September, Chester said there have been many instances where permits were issued within 30 days. Another program yet to be rolled out would offer incentives for businesses that implement specific control equipment.

When compliance enforcement issues arise, Chester said the DEQ does its best to deal with issues as timely as possible.

In the case of the Wexford County Landfill contamination, Chester said he believes the development of a Remedial Action Plan, which details the volume of the groundwater contamination and response, is taking about the same amount of time as other RAPs do. As with most groundwater contamination cases, bottled water was distributed to affected residents.

"Ideally we will reach an agreement in a timely matter," Chester said. "It boils down to resources."

In another alleged case of groundwater contamination, Chester said the DEQ used its rarely-implemented Unilateral Administrative Order. This was issued to compel AAR to clean up groundwater contamination that was believed to have escaped the company's cleanup system.

"We would not have done that if we did not believe it was attributable to AAR," Chester said.

This case is in a stalemate because the company does not believe it is responsible for the escaped contamination. The company contends it fulfilled its obligation to clean up previous contamination.

Another local issue for the DEQ is mercury contamination. Chester said a major percentage is attributable to coal-fired plants. The recently proposed plant in Manistee was a concern for the DEQ because of mercury and other hazardous byproducts produced from coal-fired plants.

A DEQ work group consisting of a diverse group of participants is working on a long-term mercury plan. Chester said he expects a recommendation by the end of the year.

Also, Chester said there has been a lack of leadership from Washington with the problems associated with mercury contamination.

Finally, by the beginning of November, Chester said the DEQ should have a response plan for dioxin contamination in the Tittabawasee Flood Plain from Dow Chemical.

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