WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) sent bipartisan letters to the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Army demanding stronger commitments and greater accountability for ongoing PFAS cleanup efforts at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda and Camp Grayling Army Airfield. The lawmakers are seeking written commitments to accelerate remediation, protect drinking water, and ensure communities receive the transparency they deserve.
At Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the lawmakers stressed that more than 16 years of delays have left the Oscoda community waiting for meaningful remediation despite the well-documented health risks associated with PFAS exposure. The letter requests written confirmation of commitments discussed with Air Force leadership. The letter states:
- “At Wurtsmith, however, this process has been mired in delays and marked by recurring missteps over a period of more than 16 years, leaving the Oscoda community frustrated and in continued search of answers and timely solutions.”
- “As the Congressional representatives for this community, we are steadfast in our commitment to deliver these much-needed answers and timely data-driven solutions.”
- “Bring the level of PFAS contamination entering these important bodies of water below Michigan’s acceptable levels help ensure the communities and tourists that rely on and recreate on these waters can do so safely and freely.”
- “These commitments will help demonstrate to Oscoda the seriousness with which the Air Force takes these remediation efforts and its strong desire to make the community a healthy and safe place to live.”
At Camp Grayling, the lawmakers called for the Army to provide written commitments to address ongoing delays in cleanup and protect residents from continued exposure. The letter states:
- “It is our responsibility to work with the Army to address PFAS contamination at Camp Grayling and protect the health and wellbeing of the Grayling community.”
- “Each year of delay increases the risk of contamination to the community and the broader northern Michigan watershed as contamination continues moving from Grayling to Lake Huron through the AuSable River.”
- “We recognize that science and testing are absolutely necessary to inform effective remedial action, but after nine years of testing and studying, the community of Grayling deserves meaningful remediation.”
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to increased cancer risk, developmental effects, immune system impacts, and other serious health concerns. The lawmakers emphasized that protecting Michigan’s drinking water, public health, and natural resources remains a bipartisan priority.
Slotkin’s Work to Address PFAS
Slotkin has consistently fought to protect Michigan communities from PFAS contamination, traveling to Oscoda for a town hall with Great Lakes PFAS Action, pressing the Air Force as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and continuing to push alongside Senator Peters for commitments as the administration further delays cleanup.
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