Michigan Adopts Drinking Water Standards for PFAS

On July 22, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced that Michigan will adopt a new rule set creating the nation’s lowest drinking water standards for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The standards went into effect last week, on August 3, 2020.  The current US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking Water Health Advisory for PFAS is 70 parts-per-trillion or ppt and is now starting its Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) process for PFAS.  Given the complexity of the PFAS science, and the emerging studies, the US EPA evaluation will involve 100s of toxicologists/scientists and is a multi-year process.  The new Michigan MCLs are:

The 8-carbon PFOS was phased out of production and use in 2002 and PFOA in 2015.  The new replacement, smaller PFAS (4- and 6-carbon PFAS) are generally considered less toxic and have radically short half-lives (time it takes for to remove half the PFAS from our bodies).

Drinking Water Supplies – The new standards will cover roughly 2,700 public water supplies around the state.  During MPART’s 2018 statewide sampling program, approximately 30 public water systems were found to have total PFAS results of 10 ppt or higher. 

Contaminated Sites – The new drinking water and groundwater standards will immediately result in 42 new PFAS investigations being added to MPART’s oversight.  Half of the sites are landfills, and more than a dozen are former plating or manufacturing sites.

Industry Discharge & WWTPs – Industries discharge effluents to municipal waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as directly to surface waters.  These Industries that use PFAS will be subject to monitoring by EGLE under these new regulations.  Municipalities will need to budget for testing, and possibly treatment of their discharge waters. 

WWTP Sludges or Biosolids – About half of the 7 million tons of sludges and biosolids generated annually in the U.S., are applied to farm fields and other land throughout the county.  The sludge offers farmers a cheap source of fertilizer. Although now, sludges containing PFAS may need to be shipped to landfills (assuming municipal landfills continue to accept these biosludges).

In addition to these industrial uses of PFAS, it is used globally in thousands of commonly used products such as food packaging, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, popcorn bags, shampoos, and cosmetics (particularly eye shadow, foundation, facial powder, bronzer, and blush).  They are also used by industries as metal platers to reduce vapors and protect work health & safety. Although, PFAS does not accumulate in fat of animals like PCBs and DDT, it can repel both oil and water.

From a School to Apartments at St. James

Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation (GNPHC) recently completed the renovation of St. James Catholic School into St. James Apartments with ASTI’s assist.  The St. James Catholic School was built in 1903,  where the original building stood two stories tall including a sunken gymnasium on the first floor and a performance theater on the second.  In 2016, Geneiss NPHC approached ASTI to help with the environmental needs that come with major task of renovating an old school building into a new apartments.  After an initial assessment in became apparent that lead and asbestos were some of the main issues that would need to be taken care of prior to renovation.

After the initial assessment, ASTI completed a more in depth, Lead Inspection & Risk Assessment, and an Asbestos Inspection of the entire building.  From there ASTI also handled writing the bid specs in order to get a competitive contractor to complete the lead and asbestos abatement.  Once a contractor was found and abatement activities began, ASTI stayed onsite to help with oversite and clearance testing to assure the quality and safety of the abatement process. In additional to the management of lead and asbestos,  ASTI also performed mold testing and gave recommendation on changes that could be made during renovations to reduce the amount of moisture in the building and prevent a future problem. To round out the complete services that ASTI offered to GNPH. ASTI”s Engineering Group performed a noise assessment for the building to provide insight on new wall construction types in order to reduce noise pollution from the surrounding urban area. 

From 2017 through 2018 the building was completely transformed from a vacant school building into beautiful apartments.  The classrooms were renovated into single story apartments, while the gym was changed into unique two-story loft style apartments, and an elevator was added for convenience.  New windows were installed, along with all new heating and cooling systems. To wrap up the project, ASTI completed the final documentations for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to help Genesis NPHC capture funding assistance for the renovations.

Meet ASTI's Architectural Historian, Ashleigh Czapek!

Ashleigh joined our West Michigan Office, located in her hometown of Grand Rapids, MI back in 2017 and is a valued member of the team. Ashleigh has over 5 years of experience, and a Masters of Science Degree in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University. In 2017, she researched and authored the Glaister House’s (Lansing,MI) nomination for the National Register of Historic Places, which was ultimately accepted and added to the list later that year. When she is not out in the field, it’s likely that you will still find her outdoors. Ashleigh is an avid camper who loves kayaking and paddle boarding or finding a nice spot by the water to read a book. We are delighted to have Ashleigh as a part of our team and look forward to seeing what her and the entire West Michigan team will accomplish in the coming years.  

ASTI ADDS ROGOWSKI TO WEST MICHIGAN TEAM

Though a bit delayed, join us as we welcome one of our newest Environmental Scientists over at the West Michigan office, Allison Rogowski. She came to ASTI at the end of last year and brings over 8 years of environmental experience having worked on sites across Michigan’s lower peninsula. One notable project in her career so far was being a team member on the Kalamazoo River Oil Spill. This Kalamazoo, MI native did her bachelor studies at Hope College and now is resides close to the office in Grand Rapids, MI. In her spare time, Allison loves to travel and attend music festivals across the country. ASTI is glad she joined our team and excited to see what she achieves.

Rick Welsh PFAS Interview with Michigan Business Network

Click above to be directed to the file. This link will direct you to the audio recording made available by Michigan Business Network, via Soundcloud.

“Jeffrey catches up with Rick Welsh, MSc DABT, Director, ASTi Environmental, Brighton, MI. They discuss how the Michigan PFAS Standards ended up so low, the impact that is having on businesses, municipalities, and others, and Rick covers the findings of a study ASTi Environmental did in coordination with MMA, Michigan Manufacturers Association.
Can you, in everyday people language, tell me how the Michigan Standards ended up so low?

What are the other options right now for Michigan?

What will be the future cost implications for Michigan Municipalities and Business for compliance?…..”

Changes in State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Procedures

In an effort to better conform to the federal regulations in 36 CFR Part 800.11, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will be making changes to the procedures for Section 106 consultation. Beginning July 1, 2020, applications for Section 106 consultation will only be accepted if the review of historic properties, both archaeological and architectural, has been completed by individuals meeting the applicable federal qualifications outlined in 36 CFR Part 61. The following information was also provided by SHPO:

Applications submitted on or after July 1, 2020 must include identification efforts as outlined under 36 CRF 800.4 completed by individuals meeting the applicable federal qualification(s). If an applicant fails to meet this standard, the application for consultation will be returned without comment for resubmittal with adequate documentation of identification efforts.

In addition to these changes, the Michigan SHPO is in the process of developing new Section 106 consultation forms that will be rolled out beginning July 1, 2020. There will be an adjustment period when the old forms will continue to be accepted through the end of 2020. Beginning on January 1, 2021 submissions on the old forms will be returned without comment for resubmission on the correct form. The Michigan SHPO will be rolling out educational initiatives to assist applicants with these changes.

This change will require firms with only Architectural Historians/Historians to partner with an Archaeologist for ground-disturbing projects and for Archaeologists to partner with Architectural Historians/Historians for projects potentially impacting architectural resources. Identification must be done by individuals meeting the applicable qualifications depending on the specific project.

ASTI is currently in the process of connecting with archaeological firms across the state to develop a working partnership.

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ASTI Works to Protect Endangered Fresh Water Mussels

The Clinton River has a diverse fauna of freshwater mussels.

We often think of endangered species as charismatic large animals with fur or feathers, but one of the most imperiled faunas is a group of bottom dwelling aquatic organisms with no soft, cuddly outside, and no eyes.

ASTI’s Megan SALAZAR conducting a quantitative search for mussels using a square meter.

With over 300 species in North America, native freshwater mussels (scientific family name: Unionidae) have been declining over the years due to pollution, over-harvesting (for the button industry in the 1800s to mid-1900s) and the introduction of the zebra and quagga mussels. Almost 70% of the native mussel fauna is imperiled, and 93 species are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered or threatened. Thirty-eight species are considered extinct, and many also have state threatened or endangered status.

Often referred to as “unionids,” this group of mollusks have an unusual life cycle, where the larval stage must attach to the gills or fins of a fish to metamorphose into its next stage as a juvenile mussel. Various unionid species have different “lures” to get their larvae to the fish. Because the mussels need healthy fish to continue their life cycle, it is unlikely that the larvae kill the fish.

The snuffbox mussel, Epioblasma triquetra; a federally endangered species found in the Upper Clinton River.

Unionids are a key component in the waters where their fish hosts live. Mussel beds provide habitat for aquatic insects and other macroinvertebrates. As filter feeders, they also recycle and store nutrients, and even modify food webs. Since the native mussels don’t move very far and they are sensitive to pollutants, their presence usually indicates good water quality.

Protecting freshwater mussels includes moving them so they are out of harm’s way during construction, dredging, or other projects in the water. Mitigation is rather easy, as the mussels can be relocated to an area with suitable habitat out of impact zones. ASTI has worked on over 45 mussel projects with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), various road commissions and departments, and other agencies to survey and relocate the native freshwater mussels. This has included mitigation for federally endangered and state listed species. While most of the work has been in Michigan, ASTI is permitted in Ohio and Wisconsin as well.

In addition to relocation projects, ASTI personnel have conducted education workshops and worked with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to produce a field guide to the freshwater mussels of Michigan. This guide is used by biologists and the general public to help identify the 43 unionid species found in the state.

If interested in a mussel survey please contact Dianne Martin at 800.395.2784 or dmartin@asti-env.com.

ASTI Turns 35

2020 marks the 35th year that ASTI Environmental has had the privilege of serving commercial, industrial, and governmental clients throughout the US, Eastern Europe, Canada, and Mexico. A warm thank you to our 3,500+ clients and boosters, and to our 45 associates with 450+ years of technical experience. For those of you that have yet to engage our services, perhaps we can connect the dots going forward.

Shipley Joins ASTI's Brownfield Team

July 12, 2019: Brighton, MI : Sara Jo Shipley —don’t call her Sara :) — has joined ASTI Environmental’s Brownfield Redevelopment Group and brings a wealth of experience with her.  Most recently, Sara Jo was the Economic Development Director at Ypsilanti Township, and  has also led brownfield redevelopment teams for the City of Kalamazoo and the Northern Kentucky Area Development District since 2012.  Most importantly, she learned how to grow and foster client relationships as a mixologist at Fries Café in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Under the direction of ASTI President Tom Wackerman, ASTI has obtained more than $330 million in Incentives (Brownfield Tax Credits, Grants, TIF, OPRA, Loans, NEZ) for Ashley Capital, ASH NYC (Siren Hotel), Bay City Hospitalities LLC, Brass Aluminum Forging, City of Adrian, City of Kentwood, Foundation Hotel (one of Time Magazine’s Greatest Places 2018), Grand Traverse County, Marwood Holdings LLC, and Oakland County the past 10 years and Incentives has evolved into ASTIs competitive differentiator.  The addition of Sara Jo is expected to accelerate that growth exponentially. 

For additional information or to place an order, please CONTACT ASTIs Doug Brown 810/599-8131 dbrown@asti-env.com .

ASTI Expands with Office in Kentucky!

June 8, 2019: Williamsburg, KY:  ASTI ENVIRONMENTAL President, Tom Wackerman, is pleased to announce the opening of their 5th office, located in Williamsburg, KY.  ASTI has been serving the environmental Due Diligence and Ecological needs of real estate developers, manufacturers, engineers, the public sector and others, nationally, since 1985. ASTI’s newest office is strategically positioned to better serve our clients in the Midwest & Southeast United States, and joins ASTI’s network of offices in Grand Rapids, Brighton, Detroit and Trenton, MI.  Committed to quality and customer service, Mr. Wackerman has selected ASTI Geologist Cody Garnsey to staff this new office, and what a pick!!  Mr. Garnsey has completed Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Environmental Risk Reviews (ERRs), soil gas sample collection and underground storage tank removals (USTs) for a variety of commercial and industrial clients with property types ranging from corner gas stations and manufacturing plants to abandoned buildings, apartment complexes, and mining and aggregate operations throughout the Great Lakes region.

For additional information or to place an order, please contact ASTI’s Doug Brown at 810-599-8131 or dbrown@asti-env.com