Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement regarding the Whitmer Administration’s ill-defined EGLE requirements for PFAS testing as a condition for harbor dredging. There has been a critical lack of communication with communities as well as on the specifics regarding PFAS standards. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently informed Congressman Huizenga’s Office that USACE Headquarters will not authorize PFAS testing until the State of Michigan defines the threshold for acceptable levels. Without this clarification from the State of Michigan, new dredging cannot occur. The inability to remove material from inner harbors – where freighters deliver aggregate material – threatens imminent shoaling, harbor closures, and further delivery of critical construction materials.

“Governor Whitmer’s ‘act first, define later’ approach to dredging will hurt families, communities, small businesses, and job creation across Michigan,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “This is the equivalent of writing a speeding a ticket when there is no posted speed limit. For this reason, I have written to encourage EGLE to halt its implementation until the impacts can be further discussed and defined, and so that dredging activities can resume as needed.  As Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force and a founding member of the PFAS Task Force, I understand the threat of PFAS in our communities. Our efforts to combat PFAS contamination, however, are undermined by vague regulatory requirements, like this one, which would impact harbors at 14 locations across Michigan. These inner harbors, including Holland, Grand Haven, St. Joseph and South Haven, may not be dredged. As a result, shoaling could block cargo ships and cripple our local economies up and down the lakeshore. Additionally, if aggregate is not able to be shipped in, it will dramatically raise the taxpayer cost of infrastructure improvements.”

Last week, Congressman Huizenga sent a letter to Governor Whitmer sharing his concerns. You can read his letter to the governor here.

Background:

Here is the list of the 14 federal harbors identified by EGLE that are likely to be impacted:

Alpena

Black River, MI (Port Huron)

Clinton River

Detroit River

Grand Haven (inner)

Holland (Inner)

Manistee (inner)

Menominee

Monroe

Rouge

Saginaw

South Haven (inner)

St. Clair

St. Joe (inner)