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EGLE Must Answer: Where is the Plume?

Mason County Contamination & Oversight Timeline
The items below present documented legal, environmental, and regulatory events. This is a factual timeline for public awareness; no claim of medical causation is being made.
1973
Executive Order 1973-2 – Waterways Authority Shift
Governor Milliken issues EO 1973-2, transferring operational powers from the Waterways Commission into the Michigan DNR. Commission minutes from February 1973 reflect awareness that their legal status has changed and that the DNR Director now holds ultimate authority.
1993
Mason County Landfill ROD (EPA)
EPA issues a Record of Decision for the Mason County Landfill describing contaminated groundwater migrating toward Iris Creek, the Pere Marquette River, and Lake Michigan, with long-term monitoring selected as the remedy. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
2001
Thermal Plume Mixing Zone Study – Outfall 001
A thermal mixing zone study for Dow’s Outfall 001 into Pere Marquette Lake documents the extent of heated discharge and the defined dilution volume for effluent in the lake. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2007–2012
South Pond Exfiltration & Deep Groundwater Studies
A series of investigations (Phase I–III) at the Ludington Plant’s South Ponds identify an average exfiltration rate of about 520 gpm and elevated levels of chlorides, TDS, and ammonia in both shallow and deep aquifers, with groundwater venting into Pere Marquette Lake and River.
2015
EGLE Internal Email – South Pond & Residential Wells
An internal DEQ (EGLE) email notes that groundwater beneath the South Ponds is impacted with chlorides, TDS, and ammonia to at least 147 feet, that shallow groundwater vents to Pere Marquette Lake and River, and that deep groundwater is likely moving toward Lake Michigan. The email acknowledges residential wells on Buttersville Peninsula using groundwater in the affected area. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
2020–2023
PFAS Identified in Landfill Leachate & Local Systems
PFAS, including PFOS above Groundwater/Surface Water Interface (GSI) criteria, are detected in Scottville Landfill leachate and addressed via treatment planning. Municipal systems and surface waters in the region report PFAS detections in various samples over this period. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
2025
PFAS Split Samples & EGLE Communication
EGLE and OxyChem exchange PFAS split sample results from March 2025. PFOS and PFOA are detected in wastewater and surface water samples around the South Pond and Pere Marquette Lake, including one location near Mosquito Creek slightly above state surface water values.

Mapped Area: Pere Marquette Lake & Industrial Corridor

The map and overlays below can be used to show the industrial corridor, South Pond area, landfill locations, and nearby residential zones. Replace the image sources with your own site maps, plume diagrams, or county health maps.

Map of Pere Marquette Lake and surrounding industrial corridor
Suggested: Regional map showing the Dow/Oxy South Ponds, Pere Marquette Lake, Pere Marquette River, Mason County Landfill, and nearby residential areas (e.g., Buttersville Peninsula, Ludington WWTP corridor).
Groundwater plume or exfiltration overlay
Suggested: Groundwater plume or chloride/TDS contour map from exfiltration and deep groundwater reports, indicating areas of documented subsurface impact.
Mason County health indicator map or chronic disease chart
Suggested: Mason County chronic disease or mortality visualization. Presented here as publicly available health statistics only, without any medical causation claim.

🌊 RALLY CRY: “Two Sources. One Poisoned Pathway.”

Straits Steel’s Legacy Meets the Oxy Plume Under Our Lake

For decades, industrial waste from the Scottville landfill (Straits Steel & Wire) has been leaking through our groundwater system, moving westward through the Pere Marquette River corridor. Now, this contamination is likely mixing with the Oxy plume under Pere Marquette Lake — a hidden threat no one is monitoring.

“The contamination from Scottville’s landfill is still moving, still poisoning, and now blending with Oxy’s plume beneath our waters.”

✅ NEW DOCUMENTS RELEASED

  • 📄 1998 Mason County Solid Waste Plan – See how industry shaped policy to avoid cleanup.
  • 📄 1993 EPA Superfund Record of Decision (Straits Steel) – Read how the federal government chose monitoring over remediation, leaving contamination in place.

📥 Now Available to Read & Download:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DOCUMENTS

🌊 EGLE Must Answer: Where is the Plume Beneath Ludington?

For decades, contamination beneath Ludington’s waterfront has been known but hidden. Two plumes—one visible, one buried—haunt our waters. EGLE’s own letter confirms they are monitoring the South Pond plume, but the public has never seen where it goes or how far it spreads. It’s time for answers.

📄 EGLE’s July 22, 2025 Response Confirms:

  • The upper and lower sand aquifers under the OxyChem site are impacted with chlorides and TDS above Part 201 cleanup criteria.
  • The plume extends beneath Pere Marquette Lake in a westward direction.
  • Annual monitoring of select wells around the lake is being conducted, but no maps or results have been shared with the public.
  • Contacts were provided for public inquiries – Brian Jankowski (WRD) and Evan Birkett (RRD).

❓ The Questions Ludington Deserves Answered

  • Where are the monitoring wells near our marinas and parks?
  • Has EGLE mapped the full boundary of this underground plume?
  • Why hasn’t a public well been installed to prove safety?
  • Will EGLE finally tell Ludington the truth?

🌊 Restore the Public Trust

The clean waters of Ludington belong to the people. EGLE must step forward, test the plume, and release the data. Share this page. Demand answers. Restore our lake.

Policy Evolution: From Contamination to Government Riparian Control

Post-WWII (1945–1970s): Cheap Waste Disposal

Unlined landfills, industrial dumping
Groundwater used as 'natural filter'
Contamination builds silently

⬇️

1970s–1990s: Brownfields & Policy Shift

Regulators blame private industry
Brownfield programs secure federal/state grants
Contamination capped, not cleaned

⬇️

1998 Mason County Plan: Local Continuation

Committee (with industry reps) chooses low-cost system
Hamlin WWTP never built
Ludington WWTP absorbs leachate

⬇️

2000s–Today: Riparian Control via Public Trust

Government redevelops capped contaminated sites
Uses grants to build marinas & parks
Private riparian rights eroded