Accident dumps motor oil – kerosene into Rouge watershed
Jun. 23, 2024 PLYMOUTH VOICE.
Plymouth Michigan News
A ruinous accident occurred Friday at the site of the former Northville Downs building project (The Downs) near Center Street and Seven Mile Road – just upstream on the Rouge River tributary that feeds Phoenix Lake and Wilcox Pond, located in Plymouth and Plymouth Township.
TV Station WXYZ reported the City of Northville said the demolition of a building on The Downs development property led to the release of motor oil and kerosene and the spill entered the storm drain and that ‘some of it’ seeped into the river. According to Northville officials, “There is no danger to the public.”
Northville mayor Brian Turnbull said on Saturday the spill has been constrained and a hazmat team and EGLE have been called to the scene.
Long awaited remediation and habitat restoration at Wilcox and Phoenix lakes has been underway since this spring. The Rouge River watershed is a designated Area of Concern (AOC) under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Nearly $1 million in grant design funds provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Imitative through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and $5 million for implementation were awarded to the Alliance of Rouge Communities in 2021. The project is set to remove sediment and re-shape the lakes to create open water area to enhance fish spawning, nursery and cover habitat. The lake parks are used for fishing, picnicking and passive recreation.
Plymouth Voice.
