DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENT

A company is accused of illegally discharging nearly 48 million gallons of waste from landfills into Flint wastewater system.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. A Michigan regulatory panel on Tuesday refused to grant quick permission to run a new oil pipeline beneath a channel that connects two of the Great Lakes, deciding instead to conduct a full review. Enbridge filed an application in April with the Michigan Public Service Commission to relocate a segment of its Line 5 that extends beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which links Lakes Huron and Michigan. Enbridge asked the state commission to approve the plan immediately, arguing that the agency in effect had already given permission by allowing the original Line 5 in 1953. Enbridge has already shown that they cannot be trusted, said Sean McBrearty of the environmental coalition Oil & Water Don't Mix. Circuit Judge James Jamo was scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether to extend the order or allow oil to resume flowing through the pipes.

DETROIT Revere Dock was busted months ago after a dock collapsed into the Detroit River leaving a huge hole. The Revere Dock collapsed in November, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River. Revere Dock said if their plan is approved, it would take about six months to complete. Officials with the city of Detroit said the company has paid $63,000 to resolve the outstanding violations. Detroit Bulk Storage, who leases the land, still owes the city $62,790.

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, crews are still working on cleaning up the toxic green ooze that leaked onto I-696. Since the pandemic began, new precautions were put in place to make sure those working to clean up the ooze were safe at all times. The legal battle between Madison Heights and Sayers is ongoing. In November 2019, Sayers was sentenced to a year and a day in prison after he pleaded guilty to storing hazardous waste without a permit. At Electro-Plating Services, inspectors found an estimated 5,000 containers of hazardous waste and materials that were improperly stored, unlabeled, open and corroded or in very poor condition.

Watch the full WDIV-Local 4 special report, "Defending the Environment," right here. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

The EPA was asked to investigate a Sept. 2019 chemical release from a Marathon refinery. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Cleanup underway after raw sewage spills into River Rouge storm drainPublished: February 6, 2020, 5:08 pmA cleanup is underway after a sludge from a truck ended up in a storm drain Thursday in River Rouge.

Pipes underneath a now-condemned Madison Heights building that was leaking toxic chemicals showed severe signs of decay, officials said Tuesday. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – On Friday officials from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy released updates on the investigation into the Electro-Plating Services contamination in Madison Heights, and additional properties owned by convicted polluter and Electro-Plating owner Gary Sayers. You can read the latest updates from the state environmental agency here:Tests of Madison Heights drinking water showed no detection of PFAS compounds and no other contaminants at levels of concern, city officials reported Friday. A public informational meeting on the Electro-Plating Services contamination will take place 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at Madison High School, 915 E. 11 Mile Road. The city of Madison Heights is organizing the event with U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, state Sen. Jeremy Moss, state Rep. Jim Ellison and Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. A public information session for Electro-Plating Services is scheduled for Feb. 3.

LANSING, Mich. – Preliminary test results from drinking water and groundwater announced Friday indicate that contamination from the polluted Madison Heights Electro-Plating Services facility are neither impacting drinking water nor moving southward from the site. Test results from Madison Heights municipal water released this morning show no contaminants exceeding drinking water standards, a consultant for the city reported. Initial soil and surface water testing showed no evidence that contaminants were dumped on the property. Officials also discussed logistics for a public informational briefing on the Electro-Plating Services emergency response in Madison Heights that is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3. For information about EGLE programs call our Environmental Assistance Center, 800-662-9278, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.