Douglas Corp. to pay $1.375M settlement for releasing "forever chemicals" in several metro lakes
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -- A chrome plating facility in St. Louis Park will pay out more than $1 million as part of a settlement for releasing "forever chemicals" that reached nearby lakes, according to state agencies.
On Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources jointly announced the $1.375 million settlement with Douglas Corporation.
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According to the state agencies, the facility uses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - also known as forever chemicals - and hexavalent chromium as part of its manufacturing processes. Those chemicals were detected in Bass Lake in St. Louis Park, as well as Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Douglas Corporation is believed to be the source.
"It was found that the use of PFAS, specifically the use of PFOS was escaping the building through the heating and ventilation system, getting up to the roof and then from the roof, either through rainfall or snow that's collected, brought down through the stormwater, then makes its way to the groundwater and into the lakes," said Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
A timeline leading up to the settlement:
• 2004: PFOS is detected in Bde Maka Ska, then known as Lake Calhoun.
• 2007: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issues initial fish consumption
advisories due to PFOS in fish.
• 2008: MPCA's investigation leads to the area stormwater system, Bass Lake in St.
Louis Park, and Douglas Corp. Community water supplies in St. Louis Park and
Minneapolis are not impacted.
• 2010: Douglas Corp. begins taking measures to prevent PFAS from leaving its facility,
begins monitoring, and stops using PFOS.
• 2013: PFOS levels in fish found in Bde Maka Ska begin to fall - a sign of water quality
improvement.
• 2016: Douglas Corp. agrees to a schedule of compliance that requires additional
measures to protect the environment, including stormwater improvements,
comprehensive monitoring, and stormwater pond cleanout.
• 2023: Settlement is reached for natural resource damages. The schedule of
compliance remains in force.
At least $1 million of the settlement money will be used for projects aimed at improving water quality, fisheries and other outdoor recreational opportunities, officials said.
"Once Douglas Corp. completes payment to the State of Minnesota in early fall 2023, the DNR will connect with community partners for project ideas. The area eligible for projects is east of Highway 169 within the lower watershed of Minnehaha Creek, including but not limited to the affected lakes," the release said.
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"Generally, these are projects that are going to be targeted to maybe help mitigate the injury that's occurred. So they might focus on groundwater or surface water or sediment or ... fishing," said Jess Richards, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota DNR.
State officials say water quality is improving at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, but they still remain on the state's impaired waters list. Anglers are recommended to limit fish consumption from these lakes.
"We may have new guidance in the coming years so it's good to go out and, in general, just check fish consumption guidance for your water body before you go fishing cause guidance affects your health, not only from PFAS but mercury is a big pollutant in fish that's pretty much a statewide issue," said Angela Preimesberger, with the Minnesota Department of Health. "There can be risks for immune system suppression, elevated risk of liver cancer, impacts to birth weight and potentially other cancers."
The facility is located on the 3500 block of Xenwood Avenue.