Traverse City Record-Eagle

Otsego County

May 13, 2010

Wastewater pipeline out of service

FROM STAFF REPORTS ----

GAYLORD — A pipeline intended to pump treated wastewater to Kolke Creek is out of service.

Merit Energy Company wanted to remove petrochemicals from a tainted groundwater plume in Otsego County's Hayes Township through air-stripping, then pump the wastewater into the stream. Opponents said that method would damage the Au Sable River watershed. Anglers of the Au Sable conservation group and nearby residents filed a lawsuit to block the cleanup method.

The case remains before the Michigan Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Merit abandoned its state easement that contains the project's underground pipeline. The pipeline is capped on both ends on state land and the outflow structure at Kolke Creek is removed, said Mary Dettloff, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment spokeswoman.

State officials opted to leave the pipeline in place because it will cause unnecessary soil damage to remove it, Dettloff said.

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