Myths and Facts

As we talk with the public about the Little Traverse Bay Environmental Project we have been asked many questions about the history of the property and what we are doing today to address the problems of the past.  In a project this complex it is not surprising that there are occasionally inaccuracies and myths surrounding the current environmental effort.  Below are answers to some of the “myths” we hear most often.

Myth:  The water being shipped for disposal is a “toxic brew,” similar to bleach, and has “burned” people swimming in Lake Michigan.
Fact:    The water shipped for disposal is classified as non-hazardous because it does not have any characteristics of hazardous waste.  Its pH level is about 10, which is similar to milk of magnesia, not bleach.  While it does contain trace amounts of mercury, those levels are about 10 times less than what the government has determined safe for drinking water (2,000 parts per trillion).  There have been no substantiated reports of any person or animal being “burned” while swimming in Lake Michigan near the project.

Myth:  The collection lines installed at the project are capturing less than 10 percent of the water.
Fact:    While this myth has been routinely repeated, no one has been able to document where it originated or provide any scientific basis to support it.  The collection lines were installed to capture water that has a pH reading of 9 or higher.  The lines have been very effective with readings now routinely below pH 9 over the vast majority of the site. 

Myth:  The project only wants to collect water and dispose of it away from the site.
Fact:    A number of remedies have been installed to contain, isolate, and ultimately reduce the amount of water that needs to be collected for disposal.  In addition to the collection lines that are protecting Lake Michigan, the dust pile at East Park has been shaped to maximize water run-off, then covered with a water resistant liner to eliminate water infiltration.  Wells were installed to divert water around the pile, again with the goal of reducing the amount of water that needs to be disposed.  CMS Land has stated consistently that injection well disposal is an interim measure and continues to work with officials to identify and secure approval for a local disposal option.  

Myth:  “Sweetheart” deals were cut and laws were not followed when redeveloping the brownfield site.
Fact:    The basis of this myth seems to be the “Covenant Not to Sue” (CNTS) issued by the State of Michigan.  Such legal agreements are routinely put in place to encourage redevelopment of brownfield sites.  They are intended to protect innocent buyers from environmental issues that they did not cause – in this case the cement dust left behind – and to return blighted land to productive use rather than developing greenfield space.  Without such protection, redevelopment of any brownfield site would be rare or non-existent.  An environmental study and reclamation plan was developed and approved by the state and all applicable laws were followed during redevelopment of the site.  Despite the CNTS, CMS Land has committed $179 million to address the current environmental issues. What was once described as a “moonscape” has been transformed into two public parks and an award winning community that draws tourists from all over the world to northern Michigan.

Substantial environmental progress has been achieved.  CMS Land continues to work with officials to put a final cleanup plan in place that will protect the bay for future generations.