November 1, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that 1,067,309 scrap tires have been removed from a Hillsdale County site where they posed a potential threat to the environment and public health of the community.

This site was brought to the attention of the DEQ in 2005 and necessary cleanup of the site was complicated by issues concerning the ownership of the parcel. Hillsdale County acquired title to the property through tax reversion in 2006 and immediately began working with the DEQ to clean the site through the department's Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program. Huffman Rubber, a scrap tire processor located in Homer, was hired by Hillsdale County and completely removed the entire pile of scrap tires during a three-month period from July to September 2007.

"I appreciate the cooperation by Hillsdale County in ensuring this environmental hazard was removed," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "This type of partnership helps us keep our resources, and more importantly our families, safe."

Runoff from scrap tire fires can contaminate groundwater and surface water, and scrap tire sites are an ideal habitat for the breeding of mosquitoes carrying disease such as the West Nile Virus.

The DEQ's Scrap Tire Program is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the proper disposal of all scrap tires generated in the state and the cleanup of existing scrap tire piles in amounts of 500 or more. Program staff regularly inspects scrap tire collection sites, processors, end-users, and generators, which include tire dealers and auto scrap yards.

Additional information about the DEQ's Scrap Tire Program is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/deq (click on "Waste" and then "Scrap Tires").

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 November 1, 2007 by Pat Watson