February 15, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality announced that it has entered into an agreement with United States Steel to resolve violations of wastewater discharge permits issued by the DEQ for U. S. Steel's three facilities in Wayne County known as the Great Lakes Works.

Since taking over the Great Lakes Works from the bankrupt National Steel in 2003, U. S. Steel has experienced over 170 separate violations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for their Zug Island, 80" Hot Strip Mill, and Ecorse Mill facilities that comprise the Great Lakes Works. The violations involve excessive zinc and ammonia discharges as well as numerous sheens and discolorations observed on the Detroit River.

These violations are in addition to long-standing problems related to discoloration in the Detroit River due to discharges from the 80" Hot Strip Mill through a structure known as Outfall 009. The DEQ had previously attempted to resolve the discoloration issues with National Steel prior to their bankruptcy.

"I appreciate U.S. Steel's commitment to determining the source of the discharges and putting them to an end," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "Through this settlement, both Michigan's environment and Michigan's economy benefit."

U. S. Steel has also agreed to pay a civil fine of $300,000 and will reimburse the DEQ for $50,000 in investigation costs.

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 February 15, 2007 by Pat Watson