November 21, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that over 110,000 scrap tires have been removed from an Arenac County site through funding from its Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program. The DEQ worked closely with Mason Township officials to remove the potential threat to the environment and public health posed by the large scrap tire pile located at the site formerly known as Heritier Drainage.

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 diseases such as West Nile Virus.

"I appreciate the cooperation of Mason Township officials in ensuring this environmental hazard was removed," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "This cooperative effort will protect our environment and keep our families safe."

This site was brought to the attention of the DEQ's Saginaw Bay District Office staff in 2001 and several enforcement actions were taken over the past years, however, cleanup of the site was complicated by issues concerning the ownership of the parcel. Mason Township acquired title to the property through tax reversion in 2007, and immediately took responsibility for the scrap tire cleanup utilizing funds available through the DEQ's Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program. Entech, Inc., a scrap tire processor located in White Pigeon, was hired by Mason Township and the pile of scrap tires was completely removed during a two-week period ending November 6, 2007.

The DEQ's Scrap Tire Program is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the proper transport and 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, haulers, and generators, which include tire dealers and auto scrap yards.

For additional information about the DEQ's Scrap Tire Program, please visit http://www.michigan.gov/deq (click on "Waste" and then "Scrap Tires"). For more information about this Arenac County cleanup site, please contact John Fischer, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Grand Rapids District Office, DEQ, at 616 356 0231.

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 21, 2007 by Pat Watson