Attorney General Nessel Announces Settlement to Clean Up PFAS-Contaminated Materials in St. Clair County

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reached a settlement agreement (PDF) with Domtar Industries, LLC and E.B. Eddy Paper, Inc. (together, Domtar) to address releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the Techni-Comp, Inc. composting site near Port Huron. The Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the paper manufacturer in December 2022. 

Under the terms of the settlement, Domtar has agreed to remove compost piles containing sludges contaminated with PFAS at the site and dispose of the contaminated material in a licensed landfill. In addition, Domtar will investigate PFAS in sediments in surface waters at the site. 

“I started the PFAS Litigation project in 2020 to bring relief to communities impacted by PFAS contamination, and this settlement is another step in the right direction,” Nessel said. “It reflects my commitment to protecting the public and Michigan's natural resources. My office will continue to pursue that goal, whether through the courts or cooperative efforts.” 

The settlement, entered as an enforceable Consent Decree by the 31st Circuit Court in St. Clair County on June 20, includes a $300,000 payment to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to conduct additional response activities to address PFAS at the site. Domtar will also cover the State’s past oversight costs and costs of litigation, including attorney fees.  

“This is the most recent example of the positive outcomes reached through the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team’s continued partnership with the Attorney General’s office,” said Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) executive director Abigail Hendershott. “Attorney General Nessel’s PFAS Litigation project has assisted MPART in addressing PFAS contamination at several sites across the state. These actions help protect our communities from forever chemicals and we look forward to additional positive results from the cases that are still pending.” 

This action was brought under a state-approved contract with Special Assistant Attorneys General (SAAGs) retained specifically to assist with complex PFAS litigation. There are currently four PFAS cases filed under the SAAG contract that are pending in both state and federal court.