Recently Sealed Catch Basin Raises Troubling New Questions about Months of Stormwater Runoff into the Great Lakes Watershed

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) responded to concerns raised by U.S. Representative Gary Peters regarding the storage of petroleum coke on the Detroit River. Following Peters’ inquiries, MDEQ responded that steps have been taken to seal a catch basin on the premises and thereby prevent stormwater contamination into the Great Lakes watershed.

While Peters is encouraged that appropriate efforts are underway to mitigate the potential health and environmental risks from the uncontained pet coke piles, he is alarmed that the catch basin was only recently plugged. He is seeking more information from MDEQ about investigating contamination that could have taken place where the pet coke runoff could have been leaking into the Detroit River.

Peters said: “I have heard from small business owners, residents, and local experts who all share my concern about the potential public health and safety risks of the petroleum coke being stored out in the open in our community. I’m glad to hear that steps are being taken to protect against potential stormwater runoff and contamination to the Great Lakes watershed, but I’m disturbed this took to so long to address.

Peters continued, “The area in my district right by the uncontained pet coke piles supports recreational fishing so I’m deeply troubled by even more unanswered questions: How long has pet coke runoff been flowing into the Detroit River? Will there be an investigation into whetherthe pet coke runoff has affected the water or Great Lakes watershed ecosystem?”

Peters first pressed MDEQ in March for answers about measures in place to protect the Great Lakes watershed from contamination. He recently wrote them again about whether recommendations for safely storing the pet coke were taking place.

Peters is fighting to ensure that Michigan families and small business owners are protected from any potential health or environmental risks from the pet coke piles along the Detroit River. Peters recently heard from 30 local residents worried about potential health risks from the uncontained pet coke piles. He has raised two new concerns regarding safe storage and necessary permitting for the piles. Peters has also raised awareness of Detroit’s pet coke issue on the U.S. House Floor. This week, he will introducelegislation to require a common-sense study about the potential public health risks from pet coke.

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