September 1, 2004

Applications are now available from the Department of Environmental Quality for funding under the Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program, authorized by Part 169, Scrap Tires, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

An anticipated $2.9 million will be appropriated from the Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund for this Program in Fiscal Year 2005. Since program funding began in 1993, the DEQ has issued nearly $6,780,000 in cleanup grant dollars.

Property owners with abandoned scrap tires and scrap tires at collection sites are eligible for funding assistance under this program. The DEQ will give priority to funding activities at collection sites in which the scrap tires were accumulated prior to January 1, 1991, and at collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment.

“The Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant program is an important tool to help Michigan reduce potential public health and environmental concerns associated with scrap tire sites,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.

The DEQ will reimburse owners of selected scrap tire collection sites for expenses incurred for the transportation of scrap tires from a selected site, the processing of scrap tires by a Michigan scrap tire processor, and the delivery of scrap tires by the processor to an approved end-user.

The application and all supporting documents must be received or postmarked on or before Friday, October 15, 2004. The DEQ can not accept applications submitted by e-mail or fax.

To receive an application, please contact the Scrap Tire Regulatory Program, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7741, at 517-335-4924; or an application packet may be downloaded from the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq.

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

Revised September 1, 2004 by Pat Watson