January 4, 2008

The Department of Environmental Quality has authorized $450,000 for the removal of contaminated soil along the banks of the Boardman River in Traverse City that dates back to a large release of gasoline in 1958 from underground storage tanks at a former gasoline station, now the Evans Paint and Wallpaper site. The release caused soil and groundwater contamination that discharged into the nearby river.

During the 1990s, private funds were used to address the contamination and subsequent state funds have been used to treat the contaminated soil and groundwater. Although the treatment has significantly reduced the contamination entering the river, a recent drop in water levels revealed an approximately 25 foot area along the riverbank where the soil is highly odorous and saturated with petroleum. The DEQ will use the funding announced today to remove the petroleum saturated soils along the riverbank.

"Leaking underground storage tanks continue to pose a tremendous risk to our environment and the health of our families," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "There are unfortunately thousands of sites like this one across our state with extremely limited resources available for the DEQ to address them."

Funding for this project comes from Michigan's Refined Petroleum Fund.

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

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised January 4, 2008 by Pat Watson