Methane Gas Investigation Update Scheduled For December 8th

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

The City of Auburn Hills has scheduled an informational meeting on Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Robert W. Grusnick Public Safety Building to review the results of the methane gas investigation conducted in the vicinity of Dutton and Bald Mountain Roads.  The meeting will be hosted by the Planning Commission and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

The following is a summary of findings:

• A public meeting was held on May 12, 2015 to introduce the study.
• 14 monitoring wells were installed in June 2015.
• Sampling occurred on 40 days between June and November 2015.
• The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Action Level is 1.25% (by volume) in soil gas.  Corrective action may be required when readings exceed this level.
• To date, sampling activities have not identified concentrations of methane above the MDEQ action level.  It should be noted that the presence of methane is common in some soils.
• Methane was detected in all 40 readings in one monitoring well (MW-1) on the site shown in the map below (Sidwell No. 14-01-100-028), but concentrations never reached the MDEQ action level.
• Four wells had one-time readings over 0.0%, but concentrations in those samples did not reach the MDEQ action level.
• Monitoring will continue until February 2016 and may be extended if deemed necessary by the MDEQ.

  

All interested persons are encouraged to attend the informational meeting.  A representative from the MDEQ and the City’s environmental consultant are both scheduled to be present to discuss the results of the investigation and answer questions.