Public to voice concerns at meeting about oil spill in southern Michigan river

Public to share concerns on Mich. river oil spill

MARSHALL, Mich. — A public interest law firm is preparing to sue the owners of a pipeline that ruptured in southern Michigan and dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into a Kalamazoo River tributary, while area residents planned to voice their concerns Monday to government officials.

The oil flow has been stopped and government officials say it’s been contained in a 25-mile stretch of the river from Marshall westward past Battle Creek. But the Environmental Protection Agency estimates it will take weeks to get the oil out of the river and months to clean it off river banks and the flood plain.

“Everybody important right now is paying attention,” said Britani Lafferty, 23, whose Marengo Township home near Marshall backs up to the river. “What’s going to happen when … it’s no longer a hot story and there’s still animals and people still affected?”

The Great Lakes Law Center on Monday sent pipeline owner Enbridge Inc. a notice of intent to file a lawsuit if a settlement isn’t reached within 60 days. The letter accuses the company of violating the Clean Water Act.

The Detroit-based law center says Enbridge could face more than $26 million in civil penalties based on the EPA’s estimate that the spill exceeds 1 million gallons. The Canadian company estimates it at 820,000 gallons.

Enbridge spokeswoman Lorraine Grymala said she’s unaware of the letter and can’t comment on litigation. Company officials say they detected the leak July 26.

Officials from the EPA and other government agencies were scheduled to speak to local residents Monday evening and were expected to give updates on cleaning up the spill.

The EPA said it has received approval for up to $13 million to pay for the federal government’s response to the spill and can request more money if needed. The government will seek full reimbursement for the money from Enbridge, and company officials have said they intend to pay for cleanup costs.

The cleanup has included rescuing reptiles, mammals and birds. More than 90 oil-covered turtles, birds and animals such as muskrats have been brought to a nearby wildlife animal rehabilitation center and several more have been taken to area wildlife refuges.