EPA to Meet With Residents Regarding Proposed Interim PCB Cleanup Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will meet with the community Thursday, Dec. 12, to discuss proposed interim cleanup plan to remove PCB contamination from the trench of the Ten-Mile Drain storm sewer system.

According to a letter sent to residents, the EPA is considering a variety of cleanup options ranging from no action to digging up and replacing manhole vaults, along with the underlying stone bedding and backfill material, at the two locations where the highest PCB levels have been found.

The latter option is expected to prevent the seepage of PCB contamination into the Ten Mile Drain system and the canals while the Agency works on a final cleanup plan, according to a post on the St. Clair Shores Facebook page.

Residents can comment on the proposed interim cleanup plan at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the the St. Clair Shores City Council chambers.  EPA, state and local officials will also be available at an open house from 4 - 6 p.m., Dec. 12 at the St. Clair Shores Public Library.

The chemicals were first discovered in 2001, when soil samples were taken prior to dredging the Lange and Revere canals.

The EPA worked with the city, county and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to determine the contamination came from the 10 Mile storm sewer.