SAGINAW, MI — Behind a fence topped with barbed wire, a sign warns Saginaw residents not to trespass on the site of a former General Motors foundry. In the near future, they will instead be encouraged to pass onto the land.
The 334 acres at 77 W. Center St. along the Saginaw River, is slated to become a public park after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased the plot. The site of the former Malleable Iron foundry and its transformation will likely receive an extra boost of $1 million in additional funding from Dow Chemical.
A settlement 14 years in the making will see The Dow Chemical Company fund more than a dozen environmental restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Under the proposed settlement between Dow and the federal, state and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal governments, the company will provide an estimated $77 million for the projects, which are meant to help reverse damage caused by the company’s Midland facility, according to a news release.
“This is a provision that allows us to go after the polluters... and ask for compensation for the public’s lost resources, and their lost use and enjoyment of those resources," Williams said.
The site of a former General Motors factory in Saginaw that is set to become a public park. A proposed settlement with Dow Chemical would have the company contribute funding to the park project, among other environmental restoration efforts.Riley Murdock
Williams has worked on the settlement since its first Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration hearing in 2005, she said. She’s excited that the settlement has been announced and the 14-year process is bearing fruit.
Thirteen specific projects will be funded “flexibly” by Dow under the proposed settlement, reaching roughly 8,000 acres of public land, Williams said. An additional $15 million is set aside for other purposes such as maintenance and oversight, including $5 million specifically for future projects.
The settlement was in a public comment period until Sunday, Dec. 29, and is also subject to approval in court, according to a news release.
“This is gonna provide thousands of acres of habitat that’s protected,” Williams said. “This settlement is going to have benefits for decades.”
Dow Chemical’s Midland plant has operated since the 1890s, according to a U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency spokesperson. The company’s past waste management policies allowed pollutants to mix with sediments along the path of the Tittabawassee, and cleanups have been underway since 2007. The cleanup along the Tittabawassee is expected to conclude in 2021, and a proposal for additional cleanups on the Saginaw River is expected in 2020, according to the EPA.
“Dow is committed to working cooperatively with the (Natural Resource Damage Assessment) Trustees to move forward with implementation of the proposed restoration plan over the next five years,” a statement provided by Dow Chemical reads. “Altogether, the set of proposed projects are expected to provide approximately 8,000 acres of natural habitat creation, enhancement and preservation across the Great Lakes Bay region that will benefit fish, birds, mammals and other wildlife, while creating enhanced recreational and educational opportunities for the public.”
A map detailing the sites of environmental restoration projects Dow Chemical will fund as part of a proposed settlement between the company and the state, tribal and federal governments.
Projects:
Bay City Ecological Restoration
A 415-acre parcel at the mouth of the Saginaw River will be protected from development “in perpetuity,” with 245 acres to be converted to wetlands and other natural habitats, according to the draft settlement. Three to five miles of trails and multiple fishing platforms will also be installed as part of the project to promote recreation.
Eagle Ridge Nature Area
This protected public space will consist of 140 acres adjacent to Stratford Park in Midland. The space contains “topography and vegetation unique to this region,” including ice age-era dunes and other glacial remains, according to the proposed settlement. Between 1.5 and 2.5 miles of trails will be designed to allow public access while avoiding damage to the area.
The project will also involve active maintenance of the ecosystem, including installing 10 to 15 “habitat boxes” for birds and bats, introducing “pollinator species” and removing invasive species.
Greater Midland Nature Preserve
Dow will protect roughly 1,460 acres in Midland and Bay counties about three miles north of the Tittabawassee River, converting farmland to natural habitats. Four to six miles of trails will also be added for public access to the preserve.
Midland Fish Passage
This project entails the creation of a structure with natural features that would allow fish to pass over the Dow Dam in Midland. Trustees considered removing the dam completely, but adding the passage allows fish to cross without significant consequence to the surrounding area and maintaining spawning conditions for some species.
Saginaw Bay Spawning Reefs
A $1 million project would create or enhance “spawning reefs” to help protect and perpetuate Saginaw Bay fish populations, such as walleye, whitefish and cisco.
Nearly $1 million in funding from the EPA received in 2018 kicked off the project, and under the proposed settlement Dow would provide an additional $1 million.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Restoration
The tribe hopes to convert up to 80 acres of farmland to restored wetlands using $500,000 in funding provided by Dow. The tribe uses wetlands for hunting, fishing and other important cultural activities, according to the draft proposal.
The restoration will also be designed to reduce erosion and other common issues with the watershed.
Saginaw River Mouth Boating Access Site Expansion
Under the settlement, Dow will build three new boat ramps and docks at the existing launch in Bangor Township and add 50 or more parking spaces. This will involve the transfer of some land owned by Dow to the State of Michigan.
Saginaw Riverfront Park
Dow will contribute $1 million to create a public park on 332 acres at the site of the former General Motors plant on the Saginaw River. The funds will partially cover installation of trails, boardwalks and platforms, and will provide long-term funding for operations and maintenance. Saginaw County will manage the park.
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Restoration
Dow will provide $3.25 million for ongoing restoration work conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including improving water flow through marshes to promote water quality and fish reproduction, converting farmland into a habitat for birds and other species, and managing the area.
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Expansion
Dow will place $1.2 million in a trust used to purchase at least 200 acres of land within or adjacent to the refuge to be used for hunting opportunities, making up for any hunting space lost during the restoration.
Tittabawassee River Floodplain Restoration and Bike Trail
About 175 acres of land either currently used for agriculture or unused will be converted to “floodplain wetlands” or other habitats, according to the draft proposal. Roughly 2.4 miles of biking trails and 1.5 to 3 miles of “multi-use” trails will also be installed, ensuring public access to 490 acres of preserved land.
Tittabawassee River Green Corridor
As part of Dow’s ongoing efforts to commit private property owners along the Tittabawassee River floodplain to preserving parts of their land, the proposal asks Dow to commit to obtaining “covenants” covering at least 2,000 acres of floodplain. As of July 2018, covenants have included 1,795 acres. The covenants restrict property owners from removing soil or allowing livestock on the protected areas, as well as prohibiting them from converting the land to lawns, gardens or other residential uses.
Thomas Township Nature Preserve
Dow will provide $1 million to create this preserve on 60 acres owned by the township. The land is being used for agriculture currently, and would be restored to floodplains and a small pond. Trails, observation decks and walkways are planned, as is a kayak launch and public access to the Tittabawassee River.
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