Letters

CMS remedies working
Below is additional information regarding a letter to the editor
recently submitted by John Richter concerning the environmental
remediation efforts at Resort Township’s East Park and the Bay Harbor
development.
With a comprehensive investigation that involved more than 1,000
bores, probes and monitoring wells, the geology of both sites is well
understood and the resulting remedies CMS Land has implemented are
working very well.
Public health and safety concerns basically have been eliminated as
the alkalinity readings across the vast majority of the site are
predominantly below the standard of 9 pH.
We estimate that when we have completed installation of all of our
proposed remedies, mercury making its way to the lake across the five
miles of shoreline will be reduced by about 80 percent to
approximately 10 grams over the course of an entire year. That’s
about equal to the weight of two nickels. Importantly, these
environmental protections have been accomplished without devastating a
$1 billion Northern Michigan asset.
The major unresolved issue for the environmental project is how to
dispose of the millions of gallons of groundwater CMS is intercepting
before it enters the bay. CMS has stated consistently that it is
critical to secure a local water disposal solution rather than
continuing to truck the collected water significant distances for
disposal. In an attempt to reach a consensus on a local water
disposal option, CMS requested that the legal proceedings associated
with the approved Antrim County disposal well permits be placed in a
stay status while local options were aggressively pursued.
CMS is publishing a series of updates detailing the various water
disposal options as part of our ongoing effort to keep the community
informed. CMS has submitted a permit application for a local deep
injection disposal well, has filed applications to treat and release
the water locally, and is continuing discussions with the City of
Petoskey to determine if the water can be sent to the city’s water
treatment plant.
There are challenges associated with all of the options, and each will
generate considerable discussion and debate. While CMS is aggressively
pursuing local water disposal options, it retains the right to restart
the legal process and pursue the Antrim County well.
While not a preferred solution, the Antrim County well is supported by
sound science and the proven performance of other disposal wells in
the area as a safe disposal option. Its location is approximately
one-half the distance of the current disposal options, which would
lessen transportation safety concerns.
The water collected at the site must be disposed of in accordance with
the law. While the water does not qualify as drinking water, it is
not because of its mercury content, the main contaminant of concern.
The water collected at East Park has a concentration of about 10 parts
per trillion of mercury (ppt), while all of the water collected at Bay
Harbor for disposal averages about 110 ppt. To put these numbers in
context, the federal mercury standard for safe drinking water is 2,000
parts per trillion.
CMS Land has spent more than $90 million over the past five years and
has achieved significant environmental progress at East Park and the
Bay Harbor development, even though CMS Land didn’t create the cement
piles that are the source of the environmental concern.
From its inception in 1994 to today, the Bay Harbor development and
East Park qualify as brownfield redevelopment success stories. Once
an industrial site with abandoned buildings and the environmental
blight unchecked and obvious to all, the sites have been
environmentally improved and returned to production use. They now
draw visitors from around the world and are important economic
contributors to all of Northern Michigan.
We will continue to share information concerning the project through
our public education program and our Web site:
www.protectingourbay.com, and appreciate constructive input that helps
us identify cost-effective remedies to protect the environment today
and in the future.

David Mengebier, President
CMS Land Company

No lack of concerts
In response to Rick Coates’ article “Where Are All the Concerts?” (12/14).
Here is a list of music performances from international touring
musicians and bands that have performed at InsideOut Gallery in just
the last two of the four years we have been presenting concerts. Many
of these artists have returned two and three times. A very large
number of these acts were booked and performed during the winter
months. Sorry Mr. Coates missed them.
Many of these shows were co-produced by Seamus Shinners of Connemara
Concerts, who has been sponsoring great music in this region for
decades. Seamus produces many great music performances at many
different venues every month. If anyone should be included in a round
table discussion about the concert promoters and venue managers in
this area, it’s him.
You want to truly find out how the live music biz works? Look no
further than Traverse City’s very own Rick Shimmel. You could do a
whole separate magazine on what Rick has accomplished in the live
concert promotion world.
Coates and the Northern Express need to get off the Applebees Music
Circuit and start paying greater attention to the “truly innovative”
music that is being presented in Northern Michigan on a regular basis.
Sorry if it sounds like sour grapes on my part, but good God -- lame
classic rock and the casinos? See you at the next Chubby Checker show!
(Included was a list of more than 60 performers.)

Michael Curths • InsideOut, TC

A good reminder
Thank you for the beautifully written, warm Christmas story about the
Hoxsie family. “Growing Up Quietly,” (12/14). This fantastic story
reminds us all that everyone has value and some work a little harder
to achieve it. This family story should be an inspiration to us all
to provide the room and space to give all persons to live their lives
to the fullest.
We too have taken the words handicapped out of our dictionary. Our
daughters collectively have adopted eight children from orphanages
with challenges to their lives. They often struggle to overcome these
challenges when given the opportunity. When you see your
granddaughter who has one foot and one hand compete successfully at
class A varsity tennis you know that encouragement is far stronger
than sympathy.
Thank you for this wonderful story teaching us to give encouragement to all.

Jim McKimmy • via email

Corrections
Last week’s story on luthier Tim Miller included an incorrect name for
his business: it is the Great Lakes Guitar Co., not the Great Lakes
Guitar Center Co. The correct address is at 717c Woodmere, TC, and
Tim can be contacted at ph. (231) 313-0457
orwww.myspace.com/thegreatlakesguitarco .
Also, a reader questioned Steve Morse’s credentials as an attorney in
regard to his involvement with the ACLU. He responds that Steve is
his nickname and he is in fact licensed in Michigan as Franklin A.
Morse II.

Update:
Compassion thrives in Northern Michigan
Three people called in response to the article about the Elk Rapids
woman getting evicted from her apartment for growing medical marijuana
plants (12/14). One offered Lori Montroy a place to live temporarily
if she needs it, one had a place to rent, while another wanted her
address to send her a Christmas present. Montroy told Express she’s
going to court to try to hold onto her apartment.

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