Dow Variance

[Sue Doersch <doersch@win.bright.net>]

People in Midland shouldn't have used their fireplaces so 
much... <wink>

>From Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's 
DEQ CALENDAR - May 27, 1996:

NOTICE OF U.S. EPA PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC HEARING ON 
PROPOSED APPROVAL OF A SITE-SPECIFIC LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTION 
TREATABILITY VARIANCE PETITION FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE SOIL, THE DOW 
CHEMICAL COMPANY, MICHIGAN DIVISION, MIDLAND PLANT, MIDLAND 
COUNTY.  

The U.S. EPA, Region 5, proposes to approve Dow's petition for a 
site-specific variance from the treatment standard of 1 ppb for 
dioxins and furans for  approximately 100,000 cubic yards of 
hazardous waste soil to be generated during maintenance and 
upgrade of the Midland Plant revetment groundwater interception 
system (RGIS).  The RGIS prevents contaminated groundwater from 
flowing into the Tittabawassee River.  If approved, RGIS soil 
containing less than 50 ppb dioxins and furans will be disposed 
in Dow's licensed hazardous waste landfill without treatment.  
Soil exceeding 50 ppb will be treated via incineration. 

The Waste Management Division (WMD) participated in the review of 
this petition; however, the U.S. EPA will be the decision-maker.  
The public comment period opens May 14, 1996 and will close June 
27, 1996.  A public hearing on the U.S. EPA's draft decision on 
the petition is scheduled for June 18, 1996 at the Grace A. Dow 
Library Auditorium located at 1710 West St. Andrews Street in 
Midland, Michigan.  

Information regarding the availability of the petition and 
the draft U.S. EPA approval for public review is available 
through the WMD's information contact person.  
Information Contact:  Cheryl Howe, Waste Management 
Division, 517-373-9881.