GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit on Monday and claimed the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority ignored repeated warnings and demands for action from the state regarding PFAS contamination.

According to a press release from her office, Attorney General Nessel is suing the Airport Authority for PFAS releases into the below-ground water supply and seeks injunctive and declaratory relief, past and future remediation and monitoring costs, and damages for the loss and destruction of natural resources. She maintains the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued several warnings to the airport over the past several years. In addition, Nessel claimed the PFAS releases have impacted nearby properties and the ‘forever chemicals’ have been discovered in residential drinking water wells in neighboring Cascade Charter Township, as well as in streams and other groundwater near the airport.

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“Every resident across the state deserves clean air, safe water, and a healthy community, including being protected against toxic contaminants like PFAS,” said Phil Roos, Director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “We believe the Gerald Ford International Airport Authority used PFAS-containing foam for decades. Our hope is that after two years of EGLE working towards a voluntary settlement to resolve this matter this civil action will motivate the airport to address the PFAS contamination. EGLE remains committed to protecting residential drinking water and our environment,” Roos said.

Michigan News Source reached out to officials at Ford International Airport for a statement. “Leaders of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA) are disappointed that the Michigan Attorney General’s (AG) office has opted to take legal action to enforce cleanup despite the Airport’s unwavering multi-year commitment to environmental stewardship on behalf of the community,” said Casey Ries, Engineering & Planning Director, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “While PFAS mitigation solutions are not yet readily available in industry, the Airport continues collaborative efforts with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE),
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and other partners to proactively research, test, and deploy solutions.”

In addition, Ford Airport officials said a formal complaint has not yet been received from the State so it is not in a position to comment on the AG’s specific action.