Marshall megasite flagged by EGLE for sediment runoff

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy confirms that the agency has issued a violation notice for a series of problems at the site of the future Ford factory in Marshall.

The inspection that documented the violations was published on July 16. It was filed against the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance , which still owns the property that is slated to become a 1.8 million-square-foot battery plant for Ford’s future line of electric vehicles.

Documents show EGLE was first notified June 17 about sediment runoff that was coming from the site into the Kalamazoo River, including photos of the discolored, murky water.

Officials with EGLE’s Water Resources Division visited the site the next day and “observed the unlawful discharge of sediment from the site.” However, EGLE officials also noted that three of their four site visits this summer all centered around heavy rain events and that the Marshall megasite is not the only source of sediment runoff into the Kalamazoo River watershed.

“We are working with the permittee to ensure they comply with permit conditions for soil erosion and sediment control to be protective of the wetlands and river,” EGLE spokesperson Jeff Johnston said in a statement. “Any environmental harm has not been determined but this is not the only source of sediment entering the river in a rain event.

“Our primary objective is that the owner return to compliance, and our compliance and enforcement program is progressive.”

James Durian, CEO of the MAEDA, released a statement to News 8 that says the alliance is committed to protecting the watershed.

“We are committed to doing our part to ensure that the ongoing construction at the Marshall Area Jobs, Opportunities, and Recreation Campus meets the highest standards for conservation and environmental stewardship,” Durian stated.

He did, however, attribute the runoff to two extreme weather events, one that he referenced as a “25-year storm” and a “100-year storm event attributed to Hurricane Beryl .”

As part of the response to EGLE’s notice, the MAEDA was required to issue a revised plan for soil erosion and sediment control and document the work needed to address the problems as it was done.

Durian said the MAEDA are working alongside EGLE and Calhoun County officials about what to do next and said the construction team has “taken numerous engineering steps, including the installation of improved and expanded erosion control measures to help further reduce the risk of future discharges.”

Officials with Ford echoed Durian’s statement, saying: “Protecting the Kalamazoo River is a priority. Ford is utilizing its more than 120 years of manufacturing knowledge to ensure this facility will incorporate proven environmental safeguards, designs, structures and construction specifications.”

Construction on the BlueOval Battery Park was “more than 20% complete” as of July. The facility is expected to create between 1,700 and 2,100 jobs. The giant project was first announced in February 2023 and has since been scaled down slightly, resulting in less tax incentives from the state. The facility is still expected to begin production in 2026.

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