January 25, 2019

Dear Governor Whitmer,

I write today to strongly encourage you to reauthorize the Michigan PFAS Action Response TEAM (MPART), or similarly-organized expert team, so this first-in-the-nation interagency structure may continue conducting the important work of protecting our state’s families from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS contamination is an evolving and nationwide water quality issue resulting from decades of widespread use of these chemicals in manufacturing, certain types of firefighting foam and consumer products. When the previous administration established MPART in 2017, Michigan became a leader in tracking and managing PFAS contamination and controlling public exposure to health hazards. It is crucial that this work is allowed to continue.

This issue is especially important to me because I represent the residents in the 106^th House District which is home to the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Wurtsmith made statewide news when high PFAS concentrations were found in the nearby groundwater, fish and game. This contamination has affected the entire surrounding community.

The MPART team continues to work with Iosco County officials to protect the public from exposure, and has made tremendous progress in the containment and response to PFAS statewide. Key accomplishments include:

• Testing 100% of all Michigan’s public drinking water sources.
• Testing drinking water at all schools and day care facilities with their own well water sources.
• Identification of and remediation activities at 34 sites across Michigan.
• Coordination of bottled water supply and response support to affected communities.
• Completed testing of fish and game in affected areas.
• Collaboration with federal partners and pursuing cleanup of federal Department of Defense sites.

While these accomplishments represent significant progress, there is still much work to be done. Many unanswered questions about this large class of chemicals remain. To best protect all Michigan residents we must continue to seek sound, science-based answers to key questions related to public health, environmental response and regulation.

MPART has proven to be an effective and efficient team many Michigan communities rely on for assistance and credible information related to public health and environmental safety. I urge you to reauthorize an interagency PFAS response team without delay.

Sincerely,

Rep. Sue Allor

106^th  District