March 15th, 2022

AG Nessel, in conjunction with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), filed a lawsuit against STS Hydropower, LLC, and Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC, to compel them to clean up sediment in the Kalamazoo River after the companies grossly mismanaged drawdown of the lake to complete repairs of their dam.  

The drawdown, which occurred in November 2019, caused over 173 feet of sediment to be discharged into the Kalamazoo River resulting in harm to wildlife and recreators, who in some instances, have needed rescuing from the muck. At the time the state was alerted of the companies’ plans to execute the drawdown, regulators from MDNR and EGLE attempted to work with them to minimize potential environmental damage. Despite receiving notices of permit violation notices and clear directives from both agencies, the state’s efforts were largely ignored. 

Since then, both companies have failed to remediate the nearly 30 impacted miles of the Kalamazoo River. AG Nessel’s lawsuit is an important action to help restore this critical watershed, hold corporate polluters accountable, and protect wildlife.

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