The Department of Environmental Quality has entered into a Consent Judgment with Graceland Fruit, Inc. and Bonney Bros. Pumping Company to resolve environmental issues related to the illegal disposal of liquid blueberry wastes in Benzie County. The blueberry wastes were generated by Graceland at its Frankfort facility, and the company retained Bonney Bros. to transport and dispose of the wastes. Disposal of the blueberry wastes resulted in groundwater contamination and damage to a designated trout stream that flows to Platte Lake.

The Consent Judgment requires Graceland and Bonney Bros. to investigate and remediate the groundwater contamination and restore the stream's condition. Graceland and Bonney have also agreed to pay $150,000 in settlement of the DEQ's allegations, and $100,000 in compensation for damages to the natural resources of the state.

"I am pleased we were able to resolve this issue with Graceland Fruit and Bonney Bros. in a manner that ensures the surface and groundwater contamination will be remediated." said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "The settlement provides the added benefit of making $100,000 available to directly restore, repair or replace natural resources in the affected watershed."

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 July 28, 2008 by Pat Watson