A Michigan neighborhood’s lengthy battle with PFAS and the Pentagon

By that point, the “zone of concern” for PFAS-contaminated ingesting water lined a whole lot of properties close to the retired base. The Air Pressure has denied duty for almost all the contaminated wells, forcing the state to supply bottled water or under-the-sink reverse osmosis filters. Thus far, an Air Pressure spokesman stated it has offered just one family with different ingesting water, at a value of $4,600. 

In the meantime, the spokesman stated the DOD continues to be performing research and figuring out options in what it calls the “remedial investigation section,” anticipated to be accomplished by late 2023. Then, the spokesman stated, the division might want to carry out a feasibility examine, suggest a cleanup plan, present 30 days for public remark and finalize the choice. It’s more likely to be a number of extra years earlier than Oscoda sees the beginning of actual cleanup work.

The Protection Division additionally has stated it lacks funding for a cleanup anticipated to price at the very least $239 million in Oscoda, though that determine may rise as EPA tightens its PFAS laws. 

Congress is able to present the funds, Kildee stated. DOD simply has to offer a quantity, which it has been gradual to do previously.

“Let’s face it, the Protection Division has by no means been reluctant in the case of asking for cash,” he stated. “Now we have considerably elevated the amount of cash obtainable for cleanup — it’s been pushed by Congress … however they shouldn’t should be persuaded by Congress” to ask for funding.