KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo area state representative Jon Hoadley is applauding a settlement reached between the state and federal regulators over pollution at a superfund site on the Kalamazoo River.
The EPA, US Justice Department and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently announced a $245 million proposed agreement to support cleanup efforts and future response actions at a significant portion of the Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site.
In a statement, Michigan state representative Jon Hoadley, who represents the 60th District which includes the entire City of Kalamazoo and the majority of Kalamazoo Township, said, “The Allied Paper Superfund site has been a plague on our Kalamazoo community for years, putting the health and well-being of our families at risk, while also preventing business growth and development around the contaminated property.”
On Wednesday, December 11th it was announced that NCR corporation agreed in federal court to fund clean-up efforts for an 80-mile stretch of the river after reaching an agreement with the agencies and state.
The decontamination efforts will involve dredging toxic sediments from the riverbed and removing the aging Trowbridge dam in Allegan County.
NCR corporation, implicated in past pollution, will have to support clean-up efforts for years to come.
Hoadley says he’s eager to see restoration efforts pick up and is willing to help, “I look forward to working with officials at all levels who are equally committed to protecting our residents, preserving our natural resources and preventing anything like this from happening again.”
