For decades, toxic PFAS pollution, known as the forever chemicals, were used in firefighting foam at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. The chemicals are still leaching into the neighboring Clark’s Marsh, a wetland within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, which connects to the Au Sable River and flows into Lake Huron just a few miles downstream.
Unfortunately, current clean-up plans do not sufficiently protect human health, fish, and wildlife from the pollution leaving the former base and entering nearby wetlands and waters. Nor does the Air Force plan to use Michigan’s higher standard for PFAS clean-up in its plans. They must take these steps in order to fully address the current PFAS contamination, otherwise Michigan residents and our water will continue to bear the brunt of this pollution.
Please urge the Air Force to be responsible neighbors and properly clean-up PFAS pollution from the former airbase.