June 18, 2004
June 18, 2004
LANSING – Starting next week, representatives of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical will begin discussing a process for addressing the dioxin issue in Midland and the Tittabawasee flood plain. The meetings are the direct result of a meeting held yesterday at the request of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and chaired by Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.
"Our goal is to build a foundation for cooperation," said Steve Chester, director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) who will be participating in the discussions. "While no potential solutions were discussed, we agreed on a process that will ensure a solution that protects public health, the environment, and the interests of the stakeholders involved."
The DEQ and Dow agreed to report back with their progress within a month to the Lt. Governor and others attending yesterday’s meeting.
In addition to the Lt. Governor and Director Chester, Thursday’s meeting was attended by State Representative John Moolenaar, State Senator Tony Stamas, and Midland City Manager Karl Tomion. Representing Dow Chemical were Arnold Allemang, Executive Vice-president, and Larry Washington, Vice-president, Corporate Environment, Health and Safety. The meeting was the direct result of Governor Granholm’s meeting with area lawmakers on Mackinac Island earlier this month. At that gathering, the Governor made a commitment to put a process in place to appropriately resolve the dioxin situation.
