The EPA names part of the Kalamazoo River a top priority among superfund sites. A special election is set to replace Detroit Congressman John Conyers. The K-Wings get three wins during the weekend.
The Environmental Protection Agency says a section of the Kalamazoo River is one of 21 superfund sites across the country identified for “immediate and intense attention.” The Allied Paper Superfund site in Kalamazoo and Allegan Counties includes PCB contamination in sediment and soil along an 80-mile stretch of the river, as well as a three-mile stretch of Portage Creek and adjacent riverbanks. In a statement, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt says the agency’s superfund task force will develop plans for cleaning up the 21 superfund sites identified as top priorities.
Governor Rick Snyder says special elections to fill the seat left vacant by former Congressman John Conyers will be held on the same days as primary and general voting already set for 2018. (report from WDET) Conyers resigned last week amid calls from fellow Democrats to step down in the wake of sexual harassment allegations leveled against him. Governor Snyder says in a statement that holding special primary and general elections on the same dates that voting is already scheduled in 2018 will give prospective candidates ample time to make their decision and file to run for the office. And he says it will save taxpayers the expense of having to cover additional elections. It also means that constituents in the 13th congressional district will not have an official representative in the U.S. House…for almost a year.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is considering several requests for permits to complete a development near Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The Holland Sentinel reports that the permits would allow the developers to build a boat basin with a surrounding road. Environmentalists have objected to the development saying it will harm nearby dunes.
In hockey, Kalamazoo scored two goals in the third period in a3-2 win over Wichita Sunday. The K-Wings have a three game winning streak after victories Friday and Saturday. Kalamazoo will host Atlanta on Friday.