Wolverine World Wide Dump Sites

Dr. Richard Rediske, professor of water resources at AWRI, is providing technical support to citizens in the Rockford, MI area. The groundwater in the region has been contaminated with chemicals related to the historic use of Scotchgard by Wolverine World Wide’s tannery to waterproof shoes.  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals contained in Scotchgard that were discontinued in 2002 by one supplier and by other producers in 2005 due to environmental concerns about their persistence, toxicity, resistance to treatment, and potential for bioaccumulation.  The EPA has established a Drinking Water Health Advisory of 70 parts per trillion for PFAS; however, many wells in one area of Plainfield Township were found to exceed this level.  Over 600 home wells are being tested for PFAS and 35 potential waste disposal areas are being investigated.  Dr. Rediske has provided numerous media interviews for local TV and newspapers concerning the environmental and health effects of these chemicals.  He also sampled and helped identify tannery wastes in an area where corroded drums were found to have been discarded. 

Bopi Biddanda attended the Undergraduate Research Fair on the Allendale campus on October 3^rd.  He showcased Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) fellowship opportunities available to GVSU students.

Bopi Biddanda did a video interview for GVSU University Libraries on the subject of “Why I use Open Access to publish my research” on October 6^th.

Jim McNair represented AWRI at the 9^th annual Undergraduate Research Fair held on the Allendale campus on October 3^rd.

Hailee Pavisich, graduate student working with Charlyn Partridge, successfully passed her Qualifying Exam on October 5^th.

Rick Rediske had a meeting in Chicago with EPA Region 5 to discuss the Rockford Water Crisis on October 17^th.

Al Steinman had an in-studio interview with Patrick Center on October 16^th.  The topic was the recent Brandon Road report released by the US Army Corps of Engineers on keeping Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. 

Al Steinman participated in a board meeting for the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame on October 17^th.

Al Steinman chaired the Environmental Committee for the Community Foundation for Muskegon County on October 31^st.

Kevin Strychar did a podcast on “Climate change and migration patterns” with Joshua Vissers, a writer for the GVSU Lanthorn newspaper on September 22^nd.

Janet Vail served as the conference chair for the annual Project WET USA Coordinator Conference held the first week of October in Traverse City.  Next year’s conference will be held in Mystic, Connecticut.

Janet Vail and Wendi Vogel from the Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) facilitated a workshop on data analysis at the KISD on October 19^th.

AWRI staff are bolded, undergraduate students are denoted with a single asterisk*, graduate students are denoted with two asterisks**, and post-doc researchers are donated with three asterisks ***.

Publications

There were no new publications for this issue.  Check again next month!

Presentations

(Presenter listed first)

Bopi Biddanda was a guest lecturer in BIO 580, Advanced Aquatic Ecology, on October 3^rd.  The title of his presentation was “Microbes in extreme aquatic environments”.

Al Steinman gave a lecture on October 2^nd to kick off this year's AH Fest (Arts & Humanities Festival) being held at MCC during the month of October.  The theme this year was water.  Al spoke about global issues involving water.  Included in the AH Fest are art exhibits, theatrical productions, lectures, and educational opportunities.

Al Steinman gave a presentation to the Tri-Cities Garden Club updating them on Spring Lake research and the Great Lakes at the Spring Lake Library on October 9^th.

Al Steinman was a guest lecturer for BIO 580, Advanced Aquatic Ecology, on October 24^th.

There were no new awards or recognition for this issue.  Check again next month!

Al Steinman is the PI on a collaboration grant from the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence in the amount of $9,650.  Al will be working with Sookkyung Cho and Hannah Seidel, both from the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance on creating a performance titled: “Increasing Water Awareness through Music and Dance”.

Al Steinman and Carl Ruetz are co-PIs on a grant to extend their monitoring efforts as part of the Lower Muskegon River Reconnection Project. The grant amount is $20,970.

Kevin Strychar is a collaborator on a grant awarded to Jen Moore, GVSU Biology Department, from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in the amount of $146,466.  The title is "Population and disease assessments to inform eastern massasauga rattlesnake recovery”.  

AWRI In the News

“DEQ: Dumping was unregulated, not illegal”
The Grand Rapids Press, October 1, 2017
Rick Rediske is interviewed regarding the dumpsites Wolverine World Wide used in the 1960s and 70s.

“County to study cancer near Wolverine dumps”
The Grand Rapids Press, October 1, 2017
Rick Rediske is quoted regarding the need for more research into impacts of PFAS on humans.

“With embrace of the waterfront, a new era comes to Muskegon”
Rapid Growth Media, October 5, 2017
Al Steinman is interviewed regarding environmental restoration projects being made to improve water quality of Muskegon Lake.

“Tainted well found farther from old dump site”
WOOD-TV 8, October 11, 2017
Rick Rediske is quoted as stating the Wolverine contamination area needs to be extended.

“Wolverine to pay $1.69M for filters in contamination zone”
WOOD-TV 8, October 12, 2017
Rick Rediske is quoted as stating the Wolverine contamination area needs to be extended.

WZZM-13, October 12 and 13, 2017 (shown at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on 10/12; 4:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. on 10/13)
Rick Rediske is interviewed regarding the effectiveness of whole house water filter systems.

WZZM-13, October 13, 2017 (both online and on-air)
Rick Rediske was interviewed by the station as they walked around in one of the Wolverine dump sites.

“12 acres of Wolverine tannery sludge buried under golf course”
Grand Rapids News, October 21, 2017
Rick Rediske is suggesting that all homes around the parameter of the golf course be checked for contaminants.

“12 acres of tannery waste buried under Boulder Creek Golf Course”
Club & Resort Business News, October 23, 2017
Rick Rediske is quoted regarding the need for additional testing of wells around the parameter of the golf course.

“Local law firms host meeting on well contamination concerns”
MLive, October 24, 2017
Rick Rediske was one of the speakers at an event held by Solomon Law Firm and Johnson Law; he spoke about PFAs.

“Michigan and Ontario stay vigilant for invasive Asian carp”
Detroit Free Press Online, October 27, 2017
Carl Ruetz is quoted regarding the different types of “Asian carp” and their effects on the ecosystem.

“Michigan and Ontario stay vigilant for invasive Asian carp”
The Times Herald, October 27, 2017
Carl Ruetz is quoted regarding the different types of “Asian carp” and their effects on the ecosystem.

“No silver bullet for solving Wolverine PFAS plume, experts say”
MLive, October 28, 2017
Rick Rediske explained the dynamics of a PFAS plume during an environmental forum at Northview High School.

“Experts: No silver bullet for solving PFAS Wolverine Waste Fears”
Grand Rapids Press, October 31, 2017
Rick Rediske explained the dynamics of a PFAS plume during an environmental forum at Northview High School.

LMC Events

Oct 3
The Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership held a public meeting at the Lake Michigan Center.

Oct 9, 11, 12, & 13
Students from East Grand Rapids Middle School (Kent County) visited the Annis Educational Foundation Classroom for hands-on activities and took a vessel cruise on the W.G. Jackson.

Oct 13
Seminar Speaker: Dr. Abigail Cahill, assistant professor of biology at Albion College presented: “From Long Island Sound to the Mediterranean Sea: understanding dispersal and connectivity in marine environments”

Oct 16 & 17
Students from Vanguard Charter School (Kent County) visited the Annis Educational Foundation Classroom for hands-on activities and took a vessel cruise on the D.J. Angus.

Oct 27
Special Seminar: 2017 CLAS Distinguished Alumni speaker, Aaron Parker, Aquatic Biologist with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, presented: "Fish distribution, abundance, and behavioral interactions within a large electric dispersal barrier designed to prevent Asian carp movement"

Oct 27
Special Seminar: 2017 CLAS Distinguished Alumna speaker, Angela Mrozinski, Outreach & Events Director with the Connecticut River Conservancy, presented: "Connecticut River Conservancy: Nonprofit Advocates for Clean, Healthy Rivers"

Oct 30
The City of Muskegon held a public workshop titled “Imagine Muskegon Lake” at the Lake Michigan Center.