August 11, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester and Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that a settlement has been reached with BASF Corporation concerning the cleanup of environmental contamination at the company’s site located adjacent to the Detroit River in Riverview.

The settlement agreement was approved by the Ingham County Circuit Court on August 9, 2006, and resolves the historical disposition of chemical and industrial wastes at the site that date back to the previous owner, Wyandotte Chemical. The contamination has since discharged to the groundwater and the Detroit River.

“BASF has stepped up and agreed to resolve this historical problem through a thorough cleanup of this site that will protect the health of the community and its residents,” said Director Chester. “We have come a long way in restoring the quality of the Detroit River, and today we are ensuring that trend continues.”

Under the terms of the settlement, BASF will construct a containment system around the entire property to contain the wastes on-site and stop the flow of contaminated groundwater to the river. The company will also remove contaminated sediments in the river located adjacent to the property and in the area of the city of Riverview boat launch, and will conduct additional investigations to determine if contamination from the site has impacted adjacent upland areas.

"It is important that those responsible for environmental contamination be held responsible and correct the problems caused," said Cox. "This settlement will help improve the water quality of the Detroit River."

BASF will reimburse the state’s past and future response activity costs associated with the site. Sediment removal and construction of the containment system is expected to start this fall.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised August 11, 2006 by Pat Watson