The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced a cleanup operation at the former Quality Plating site located at 2712 McIlwraith St., Muskegon County, Michigan. The project aims to remove waste contaminated with chromium and nickel from the site. The EPA estimates that it will take approximately six months to complete the removal of about 100 55-gallon drums, 100 containers, and several plating lines. The hazardous materials will be transported to an EPA-approved landfill for disposal.
Debra Shore, Regional Administrator for the EPA, stated, “The cleanup not only makes the community safer but also prepares this brownfield site for redevelopment that will boost the local economy.”
Mike Neller from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy expressed support for the initiative: “The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy supports EPA in its efforts to remove hazardous waste from the Quality Plating site, which is a critical part of the process that will return the property to productive use.”
Cathy Brubaker-Clarke from Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED) highlighted their partnership in this endeavor: “Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED) is excited to partner with Muskegon Heights and the U.S. EPA on the redevelopment of the former Quality Plating site,” she said. She added that this project is part of their Industrial Park Strategic Plan aimed at preparing the site for future manufacturing activities which would create new job opportunities and drive economic growth in Muskegon Heights.
The cleanup operations include consolidating, packing, and transporting all hazardous waste off-site; dismantling and decontaminating equipment; removing uncontaminated materials; and recycling de-contaminated equipment.
For more details on these initiatives or information about EPA Region 5's activities, interested parties can visit their website or social media pages.
