The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told Canadian energy company Enbridge today that more work is needed to clean up the Kalamazoo River.
The cleanup is part of an ongoing effort to remove oil from the river after a pipeline ruptured in 2010, resulting in the largest inland, freshwater oil spill in U.S. history.
Federal regulators specified that further action is needed upstream of Ceresco Dam, upstream of the Battle Creek Dam, and in the delta upstream of Morrow Lake.
According to EPA's press release, Enbridge has 10 days to request a conference with EPA to discuss the additional work specified in the proposed order and 30 days to submit written comments.
The cleanup continues after Enbridge paid out $3.7 million in fines to the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in August.
As Michigan Radio's Rebecca Williams reported, Enbridge is currently replacing Line 6B--the pipeline that ruptured two years ago. The company has taken some Michigan landowners to court in order to establish easements it says are necessary for the repairs.
An Enbridge spokesperson told Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton that the company was reviewing the order.
- Jordan Wyant, Michigan Radio Newsroom
