The former McLouth Steel facility originally consisted of approximately 273 acres and operated from about 1950 until 1995. In 1995, McLouth filed for bankruptcy and the property was transferred to multiple owners between 1996 and 2017. The original property is now split into a 76-acre northern portion presently owned by Riverview Trenton RailRoad (RTRR) and a 197-acre southern portion, most of which is owned by MSC LLC.
EGLE Materials Management Division (MMD) is the lead agency overseeing environmental clean-up activities, also called corrective action, occurring at the 76-acre northern portion of the site owned by RTRR. EGLE determined that additional corrective action is needed based on the information collected during the first phase of corrective action work. A second phase of corrective action is forthcoming.
The U.S. EPA is the lead agency overseeing environmental clean-up activities occurring at the 197-acre southern portion of the site, with support from EGLE's Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD). Find more information from U.S. EPA on the McLouth Steel Corp. Superfund Website. Nilia Green is the U.S. EPA Region 5 Superfund Division Remedial Project Manager for the southern portion of the site and can be reached directly at Green.Nilia@EPA.gov; or 312-353-6713. Megan Cynar is the EGLE, RRD, Project Manager for the southern portion of the site and can be reached directly at CynarM@Michigan.gov; or 517-256-2681
EGLE and U.S. EPA have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that provides a process for the agencies to coordinate clean-up activities across the site. The existing MOU is in the process of being updated to reflect current conditions at the site and expectations of the parties.
For further details see the timeline below:
McLouth Steel Corp begins steel production.
McLouth Steel ceases operations and files for bankruptcy; while in bankruptcy, McLouth sells to Detroit Steel Company (DSC).
DSC attempts to restart steel making. A year later, EGLE (formerly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) and DSC enter into a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action order.
DSC and affiliates sell the northern 76-acre portion of the property to the Riverview-Trenton Railroad Co. (RTRR) while retaining the 197-acre southern portion.
Wayne County foreclosed and took title to 183 of the 197-acre portion from DSC for years of tax delinquency. Wayne County then entered into a Purchase and Development Agreement with Crown Enterprises Inc (Crown), who assigned the title to MSC Land Co., LLC (MSC).
EGLE enters into a settlement agreement with RTRR to address environmental clean-up activities for the northern 76-acre portion.
The U.S. Department of Justice, United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), and EGLE enter into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Covenant Not to Sue with Crown Enterprises and MSC Land Company to clarify environmental liability and perform initial clean-up activities at the 197-acre southern portion of the site.
The southern portion of the site is added to the U.S. EPA’s National Priorities List in 2019. Demolition of 45 Structures and cleanup of sludges and liquids begins and is completed in 2022. A Notice of Completion is provided in March 2022.
U.S. EPA begins the remedial investigation activities on the southern portion of the site. Activities are expected to last through 2028.
On November 1, 2018, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Riverview Trenton Railroad (RTRR) entered into a Corrective Action Consent Order (CACO). Pursuant to the CACO, RTRR undertook an initial phase (Phase I) of corrective actions within the approximately 76-acres that comprise the northern portion of the former McLouth Steel Corp facility.
Phase I documents have been received and are posted below as required by the CACO.
EGLE is currently using the information from Phase I to develop a new comprehensive site-wide CACO for more remedial action.
Work plans pursuant to the CACO have been approved by EGLE and can be found below.
During the spring of 2023, EGLE became aware of high-pH groundwater in the Northwest Area of the site that was pooling at the ground surface and seeping into Monguagon Creek. The following work plans, reports and letters document the ongoing response and interim measures that were implemented to address the high pH liquid located within the NW area of the site. EGLE is currently reviewing a report from RTRR which proposes a final remedy and an ongoing monitoring plan. That report, and EGLE’s review letter, will be added to the list below when the review is complete. Currently, the facility is controlling the offsite migration of high pH liquid through use of groundwater extraction wells located near the bank of Monguagon Creek. In addition, the facility also has a sump with a pump installed near the railroad tracks on standby if pumping is required to control infiltration into the storm drain network.
Based on the information collected during Phase I of corrective action and other sources, EGLE has determined that additional corrective action is necessary.
More information on the Southern portion can be found here: U.S. EPA McLouth Steel Corp Reports and Documents.
Remedial Investigation activities began on the southern portion of the site in 2023 and are expected to continue into at least 2028. U.S. EPA and EGLE continue to complete the Remedial Investigation activities. Further details regarding these activities and copies of completed documents can be found on the following websites.
McClouth Steel Superfund Site: Megan Cynar at CynarM@Michigan.gov or 517-256-2681
Riverview Trenton Railroad Site: Marc Messina at MessinaM@Michigan.gov or 517-219-2394
Complete this form to be placed on the official Former McLouth Steel Corp Site mailing list to receive required notifications from both EGLE and the Former McLouth Steel Corp Site.
Through your observations and reporting of activities of concern, you play a valuable role in helping the EGLE protect human health and the environment. To file a complaint or share details about improper waste handling or disposal, contact EGLE through the Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Hotline at 800-292-4706.
