Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reached a settlement with Domtar Industries, LLC and E.B. Eddy Paper, Inc. over contamination at a composting site near Port Huron. The case involves the release of harmful chemicals called PFAS, which can have long-lasting impacts on the environment and public health. Nessel had filed a lawsuit against the paper manufacturers last December to address the issue.
As part of the deal, Domtar will remove compost piles containing PFAS-contaminated sludge from the Techni-Comp, Inc. site. The company will then dispose of this material in a licensed landfill to prevent further pollution. Domtar also agreed to check for PFAS in the sediment of nearby surface waters, showing a commitment to cleaning up the broader area.
The settlement was approved by the 31st Circuit Court in St. Clair County on June 20. It requires Domtar to pay $300,000 to Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). This money will be used for additional cleanup and response efforts at the site. On top of that, Domtar will cover past costs related to the state’s oversight and legal actions, including attorney fees.
This settlement is part of a bigger effort led by Attorney General Nessel, who started a special PFAS Litigation project in 2020. The project focuses on helping communities affected by PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily. Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team, which works closely with the Attorney General’s office, has been involved in several cases like this to protect public health and the environment.
Abigail Hendershott, executive director of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, said these kinds of settlements show progress and hope for communities dealing with PFAS pollution. She also noted that several other cases are still being worked on, with help from Special Assistant Attorneys General hired specifically for these tough cases.
The case against Domtar and E.B. Eddy Paper marks another step forward in Michigan’s push to hold polluters accountable and clean up dangerous chemicals in the environment. Officials say they will keep working to make sure these harmful substances don’t threaten the state’s natural resources or the health of its residents.