Lansing Grand River
|
An Anonymous Complaint - Nonpoint Source Pollution | Verified
|
March 2023
|
I (anonymous source) have spent some time recently walking the creek known as Reynolds Drain from Tecumseh Park to the railroad tracks just south of the airport property. This creek empties into the large pond on Tecumseh River Road and then flows directly into the Grand River.
|
Over the past three years, I have pulled hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces of molded chunk styrofoam out of the pond to prevent them from entering the river. While the pond is relatively clean now, I continually find well-weathered foam entering the pond via Reynolds Creek. I walked the creek between Tecumseh River Road and North Grand River Ave recently and cleaned it thoroughly. Lots of foam in the water, sadly. While there was evidence of residential litter, it was minimal. None of the homeowners along the creek had significant point sources of trash entering into the creek. I also cleaned the slope of the east side of the creek along Grand River Ave where a large infrastructure project occurred during the past year. Plenty of typical road trash, but not much foam.
|
|
|
There is a small city park, known as Horsebrook, nestled behind the UAW local building at 3350 N. Grand River Ave. You have to park in the UAW lot and take a narrow footpath to enter, but it is a public park. It offers access to the stretch of Reynolds Creek just north of N. Grand River, all the way up to the airport. From here, I explored the area directly north of N. Grand River Ave, which abuts the property of AIS Equipment. Some stuff there, but not a lot. There are a few businesses which sit upland of the creek, and as I ventured further north earlier today, I began to see more and more styrofoam in the water and on the banks. I picked it all out, along with a significant amount of sheet foam packaging material.
|
As I neared the railroad tracks, I noted two outfalls which likely drain the roads and parking lots of the industrial buildings along the creek. There was evidence of styrofoam in the creek all the way up to the large culverts which run underneath the tracks, but not beyond them. Just before the incline leading to the tracks, I found a small stream which drains the uplands. It is located directly behind a building at 3350 Ranger Rd. On the property of this building, I found what I was searching for, weathered, molded chunk styrofoam. This is the point source of foam contamination flowing into the pond off of TRR.
|
|
I will be sending along a few photos and a couple of videos shortly. In the video you will hear me reference Friedland Industries, a local recycling company headquartered in Old Town. However, after searching online for information associated with the address, it appears that the owner is actually the State of Michigan. Specifically, the State Legislative Service Printing Bureau.
I am contacting you about this issue. You have had great success partnering with both public and private entities in the area. I am hoping that you can reach out to whomever is responsible for overseeing the property at 3350 Ranger Road and convince them to clean it up. You have my permission to use the media I created. But I wish to remain anonymous. |
|
|
This is not my first trip to the site, but things have only gotten worse. It is a habitual problem and likely will never be addressed unless someone acts.
For now, the creek is clean. The wooded areas at the back of the property need to be picked up though. I don't think that they will be happy to hear from you, unfortunately, and will likely say that they lack the manpower to address it. |
|
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION PROPERTY OWNER/TENANT
|
Name: Michigan Legislative Service Bureau Printing
Address: 3350 Ranger Road. Lansing, MI 48906 Website: Click here |
|
Complaint Verified |
March 18, 2023
|
Saturday, March 18, an independent audit of the above described area was completed. To follow the described route, we parked behind the park at the UAW local building, at 3350 N. Grand River Ave., just before the small park known as Horsebrook.
Even after the other person's claim to have completed a recent sweep (clean) of the area, there remained considerable litter. Walking upstream toward the property described:
The same litter seen around the recycling container and in the sloping loading ramp, was found in the grassy lawn and in the adjoining grassy field:
Even after the other person's claim to have completed a recent sweep (clean) of the area, there remained considerable litter. Walking upstream toward the property described:
- Horsebrook Park was clean.
- The yards behind homes to the right were well maintained.
- Other nearby commercial properties were fenced.
- The state property was littered next to the building, in the sloping grassy area, and adjoining field.
The same litter seen around the recycling container and in the sloping loading ramp, was found in the grassy lawn and in the adjoining grassy field:
- Lunch-type litter was found in the adjoining grassy field.
- Weathered, molded chunk styrofoam, was found in the adjoining grassy field and woody area.
- A large clear bag of yellow styrofoam was seen in the adjoining woody area.
- Considerable other litter, cans, glass bottles, and other plastics in various states of decay, were found on or contiguous to the property.
|
Despite this area having been recently cleaned, 22 - 26 pounds of litter was collected. Most was sourced from on, or contiguous, to the property believed to be owned or leased by State Legislative Service Printing Bureau.
Based on others reporting, and today’s audit, it is reasonable to credit much of the area’s littler to the owner, or lessee, of 3350 Ranger Road. It is urged that the property owner, and/or its lease, improve their recycling and trash management practices. |
With their property unfenced and slopping, it is reasonable to believe that their careless practices are contributing to litter finding its way into toward Reynolds Creek, which runs into the Grand River. This has been reported to be not just a recent problem, but one that has been allowed to occur for years.
Because much of the litter discovered on or near this property is styrofoam, which is generally described as a hazardous substance and slow to decompose, it is important that immediate attention is given to this matter. |
I will return later this week, either Thursday or Friday, to review any improvement to grounds care. I welcome the opportunity to speak with the general manager or another company (agency) representative.
Click on each image below for full view.
|
|
|
Michigan Waterways Stewards
Our mission is to protect and improve Michigan’s treasured and vulnerable waterways
for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport.
Join us. Experience the ease in which we accomplish great things by working together.
for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport.
Join us. Experience the ease in which we accomplish great things by working together.
Through our work we will inspire current and future generations
to protect and care for our prized waterways.
to protect and care for our prized waterways.
