Open Letter to the Community from Susan Carrington
#5: Dow and the State of Michigan Agree on Framework to Resolve the Dioxin/Furan Issue
Midland, MI - January 30, 2005
The Framework for an Agreement (Framework) between the State of Michigan and The Dow Chemical Company is an important and significant step toward resolving the historical dioxin and furan situation in mid-Michigan.
On behalf of Dow, I want to thank local residents, community groups and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels for their patience, their invaluable input leading up to the agreement, and for their on-going involvement as we move forward. I would like to thank representatives of State government for their hard work in crafting the Framework with us. The negotiation process may have taken longer than anticipated, but the result is immediate action, together with a path forward, that affords the opportunity to develop a responsible, science-based final approach that will ensure an efficient, effective and comprehensive long-term solution for the mid-Michigan region.
We also recognize that satisfactory long-term resolution of this issue requires us to remain committed to engaging our communities in discussions on the various activities described in the Framework as they are further developed and implemented. Specifically, in the short-term, Dow, with the involvement of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will conduct outreach sessions with families and property owners within the priority areas described in the Framework to explain the process and what they might expect in the immediate future.
Providing meaningful access to the on-going process so that people can understand and evaluate proposed actions and provide comments will also be a priority. Further details on this process, and opportunities for public participation, will soon be communicated.
We are committed to working with local area residents and our communities to quickly complete the interim actions.
Much work remains to be done, and continued patience will be required, but the Framework sets a tone and direction for the future that we are optimistic will produce a successful and final resolution.
Sincerely,
Susan Carrington
Vice President and Director
Michigan Dioxin Initiative
