Jones Street Remediation Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening on Consumers Energy’s property and the Manistee River?

• Consumers Energy is conducting environmental remediation work of the historic manufactured gas plant operations which occurred on this Jones Street property (see map on last page). The remediation work is being completed in consultation with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers (US ACE), along with other stakeholders such as the State Historic Preservations Office (SHPO) and local Native American Tribes. The In-Situ Stabilization/Solidification (ISS) remediation project at the former plant site, which started in 2018, was completed in December 2019. After the planned dredging work is done in late spring 2020, restoration of the former plant site will resume. The work is being done in accordance with Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Part 201.


• Consumers Energy is conducting dredging in the Manistee River to address potential impacts from historical MGP operations. The sediment remediation work will be completed along approximately 1,400 feet of river (500 feet upstream and 900 feet downstream of the US-31 Bridge).

What is a manufactured gas plant?

• A manufactured gas plant (MGP) converted coal and oil to a combustible gas which was supplied to the residents of the surrounding Manistee area via underground piping for cooking, lighting and heating. The former Manistee MGP started operations in 1882. Consumers Energy acquired the MGP in 1922 and the plant was decommissioned in 1955.


• By-products of the MGP process included coal tar and purifier waste. Coal tar is a dark, viscous fluid that does not readily dissolve in water, whereas purifier waste is typically a mixture of wood chips and iron filings used to remove unwanted chemicals from the gas before it was distributed to the public. Some of the coal tar produced during operation of the MGP has potentially impacted soil and sediment on and near the former plant site.

Should I be concerned about the work?

• The remediation work has been carefully planned to be in compliance with local, state and federal laws to protect people living and working in the vicinity of the project area.


• Air monitoring is being conducted to measure the air for dust and chemical compounds throughout the work day. The surrounding populations were taken into consideration during the development of air monitoring locations. Contingency measures will be implemented if action levels are exceeded.


• Fences and sidewalk detours will keep pedestrians a safe distance from the work area.

What measures are being taken to address safety?

• Best management practices are being used to address safety for workers and the public. Some of these measures include:
  • Sidewalk detours and fences.
  • Air monitoring in the work area, the perimeter and additional select locations.
  • Engineering controls such as absorbent booms and silt curtains in the river.
  • Noise, structural, and river monitoring to comply with local and state requirements.


• Contingency measures have been prepared and will be implemented if necessary.

Who is paying for the work? What is Consumers Energy’s role in this project?

• Consumers Energy acquired the MGP in 1922 and operated the plant until it was decommissioned and sold in 1955. Consumers Energy is responsible for addressing the environmental impacts associated with the historical MGP operations and is paying for the associated investigation, monitoring, design and remediation work.

Why is work being completed now?

• An evaluation of the Manistee River sediment in the vicinity of the site indicated that impacted sediment is present in the river. The river investigation and remediation work included collecting data on the extent of impacts, designing the remediation, modeling the results of the proposed work, obtaining approvals and permits, and contracting and scheduling the work. Since work at the former plant site was addressed in December 2019, dredging in the river can now be completed.

What work is being done and when?

• Pre-construction activities (e.g., site clearing, staging equipment, support area construction) may begin as early as April 2020. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2020 and is expected to be completed fall 2020. Dredging and backfilling select areas in the river is expected to last 2-3 months. Restoration activities at the former plant site are expected to be completed in fall 2020.


• Planned work includes: dredging sediment; removing water from the sediment; disposing of sediment in an approved landfill offsite; treating and discharging water from the sediment; installing backfill in the river outside of the navigational channel; and restoring the remediation area.


• During installation of control measures and dredging in the river, there may be short term inconveniences (e.g., boats having to go around dredging equipment and controls); however, all in-river work will be done in accordance with permit requirements and in regular communication with the harbor master.

Where is the dredged sediment going? Where is the water going?

• Dredged sediment will be transferred to a support area on Consumers Energy’s property and water within the sediment will be allowed to drain by gravity or through use of amendments (e.g., Portland Cement). The sediment will then be transported to an approved landfill offsite and disposed. All water removed from the sediment will be managed by pumping through and onsite treatment system and discharged through an approved permit or workplan.

Will air quality be affected?

• Coal tar has a strong odor, similar to roofing tar or mothballs. It is easily detectable at concentrations below those considered harmful to human health. Air monitoring will be conducted to protect workers at the site and pedestrians at the perimeter of the project area.


• Consumers Energy is committed to protecting the health and safety of people who live and work near the site. Although we do not anticipate an impact on air quality, we will routinely sample air quality during the site remediation activities and will implement additional mitigation measures (e.g., covering exposed sediment piles, applying odor control foam), if necessary.


• If you have a question or concern about the project, please contact the number included at the end of this document.

How will the site and surrounding area be restored?

• For the former plant site, the surrounding area will be returned to pre-construction elevation and condition. The riverbank will be restored with stone and riprap at the edge of water for erosion control. Topsoil will be placed on the upper portion of the bank and in the upland, and planted with native plants and grasses.


• After the dredging is completed, select areas outside of the USACE navigational channel will be backfilled with clean sand or gravel.


• Restoration monitoring will include inspecting erosion mitigation measures, evaluating vegetation reestablishment, and assessing water quality.

Can we eat fish caught from the river?

• The “Eat Safe Fish” guide produced by the MDNR lists the chemicals of concern in fish from the Manistee Lake (upstream of the plant site) as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury which are not associated with MGP operation. Please refer to the www.Michigan.gov/eatsafefish website for guidelines


• MDCH Eat Safe Fish Guide PDF

Will there be a loss of fish and wildlife habitat as the result of this project?

• A Threatened and Endangered species review was conducted prior to the remediation. Consumers Energy is working closely with the state agencies to ensure that aquatic and riparian habitat are restored according to approved permits after the remediation work is completed.

Will contaminants move downstream?

• Engineered controls, including absorbent booms and silt curtains, will be used to limit sediment from moving downstream of a dredge area. Water turbidity is being monitored multiple times a day during active dredging or backfill operations, and additional measures will be implemented if needed. A full-time response crew will also be available to address turbidity concerns.

Will there be an impact to traffic (vehicle and boat)?

• There are currently no road closures planned, but local streets (i.e., Mason Street, Jones Street, Ashland Street, River Street, and Cross Street) between the site and US-31 will see moderate truck activity during the project due to hauling materials to/from the site. Traffic and pedestrian control measures will be implemented and enforced throughout the duration of the work, as required, for safety.


• Access up and down the river will not be impeded; however, localized areas of the river may experience temporary restrictions. Work will be conducted with mobile equipment and controls that can be relocated for large shipping traffic. Smaller vessels, including recreational traffic, should navigate around the work areas and use caution to avoid collision with operating equipment and/or producing a wake that could adversely affect the absorbent booms and turbidity curtains.

How can I learn more about the project or stay informed about the latest developments?

• Consumers Energy has established a project website (www.jonesstmgp.org) to help inform the public, address questions and provide project updates.


• For general questions or more information, contact Consumers Energy at the number provided below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION at www.jonesstmgp.org

For general questions regarding this project contact:
Eric Gustad, Consumers Energy Community Affairs Manager
Phone: 231-233-5830
Email: Eric.Gustad@cmsenergy.com

For general questions regarding this project, contact:
Eric Gustad, Consumers Energy Area Manager
Phone: 231-233-5830
Email: Eric.Gustad@cmsenergy.com