07/20/2006

Forum

We must protect Kolke Creek

BY JANNEY MAYER SIMPSON

Our community should be vitally concerned about the proposed discharge of treated groundwater from the Hayes 22 Central Production Facility into Kolke Creek. This may result in contamination of pristine headwaters of the main branch of the Au Sable River.

Headwaters regulate the natural flow of the river and provide critical nutrients to support diverse aquatic and plant life downstream. Protection of the natural ecosystem of the headwaters guards the entire watershed.

The Au Sable River is a nationally designated Natural River and Blue Ribbon Trout Stream. How did Kevin Ringwelski, Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences, Inc., conclude in his alternatives analysis of July 8, 2005, that "Kolke Creek has no special status, and does not appear to be used for recreational or other purposes"?

Why was Kolke Creek not acknowledged as an important headwater stream for the Au Sable River? Are Kolke Creek, Lynn Lake and the Au Sable River not deserving of the same special status that the Manistee River and Frenchman's Creek received in this analysis?

Kolke Creek begins to flow just south of the proposed point of discharge. However, on June 7, 2005, Scott Rasmusson of the Department of Environmental Quality's Land and Water Management Division "determined that the discharge area does not meet the definition of a stream under 324.30101(f), as there are no definite banks, bed, and visible evidence of a continued flow."

Therefore, no permit was needed under Inland Lakes and Streams Protection Act. He also stated "the discharge does not need a permit under Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 1994 PA 451, as amended."

On June 22, 2005, over 50 concerned people stood on the banks of Kolke Creek. Rick Henderson, Office of Geological Survey, stated that the "discharge of 1.15 million gallons per day of treated groundwater was like a drop in a bucket."

In reality, this large volume discharge will saturate the wetlands and a stream will be created, flooding private property without permission. Imminent changes in flow rate, water temperature, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, soil erosion, sedimentation and introduction of contaminants will take place. No environmental impact studies were performed by the DEQ.

Headwaters of one of Michigan's most treasured rivers should never be used as a waste stream and dilution basin for contaminated groundwater remediation.

My family has been conscientious stewards of these headwaters for four generations. However, this decision affects everyone who lives on the upper Au Sable River.

The underlying principles of this decision by the DEQ and Merit Energy could happen anywhere in the state to rivers and headwaters in your backyard. It is time to speak up for what is right, protect the headwaters and river, and refuse to allow the bottom line profits for Merit Energy, a top-ranked oil company, to be the deciding factor in their remediation choice.

There are feasible and prudent alternatives that would allow for the cleanup of the Hayes 22 contamination plume and be non-detrimental to the groundwater resource.

About the author: Janney Mayer Simpson's family has owned land around Kolke Creek for four generations.

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