Michigan PFAS Cleanup Deal Secures $1.15M in State-Funded Response

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel secured a decree mandating Domtar to clean PFAS-laden sludge at a Port Huron site, addressing public health concerns and facilitating statewide cleanup efforts through financial penalties and community transparency measures.

Attorney General Nessel’s pact with Domtar launches cleanup of PFAS at Port Huron compost site.

Attorney General Nessel’s Michigan PFAS Settlement Targets Cleanup in St. Clair County

LANSING—On June 20, 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel won a consent decree with Domtar Industries and E.B. Eddy Paper, requiring removal and proper disposal of PFAS-laden sludge at the Techni?Comp compost site near Port Huron.

The litigation began in December 2022, after Nessel alleged Domtar sent PFAS-contaminated paper sludge to the site. The complaint described “a substantial and imminent threat” to public health and the environment under Michigan law.

Under the decree, Domtar will:

Remove sludge and dispose of it in a licensed landfill
Conduct sediment testing in nearby surface waters
Pay $300,000 to EGLE for additional response efforts, plus state oversight and legal cost.

Domtar must also pay $850,000 in attorney fees and $35,000 toward past response costs, under terms in the consent document.

“I started the PFAS Litigation project in 2020 to bring relief to communities impacted by PFAS contamination,” Nessel said. She affirmed continued commitment through court and collaboration .

MPART executive director Abigail Hendershott said settlements like this show effective collaboration between MPART and Nessel’s office. She expects more outcomes from the four other PFAS cases filed.

Decree sets stage for large?scale cleanup with enforceable limits

The agreement mandates removal of about 75,000 cubic yards of PFAS-contaminated compost sludge. Domtar must complete cleanup within one year after plan approval. A sediment study will guide future cleanup steps. The court will oversee plan modifications and enforcement.

Financial penalties cover broad response costs

The settlement allocates:

$300,000 to EGLE’s future work
$850,000 for legal fees
$35,000 for past cleanup efforts michigan.gov michigan.gov+2michigan.gov+2sanilacbroadcasting.com+2

Of the $300,000 payment, Domtar will submit payments in three annual installments of $100,000 cra-recycle.org+4michigan.gov+4sanilacbroadcasting.com+4.

Why the Michigan PFAS cleanup matters locally

PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” resist degradation and accumulate in humans and wildlife, causing health risks. Cleaning up the Techni?Comp site shields Port Huron residents from contamination in groundwater and surface water. The decree also prioritizes transparency through public notice and biannual reporting.

Broader impact from Michigan PFAS Litigation project

This case reflects progress from Nessel’s broader PFAS initiative launched in 2020. MPART works with her office on at least four similar lawsuits. Each settlement builds momentum for statewide remediation.

What comes next at Techni?Comp and beyond

Domtar must submit a response activity plan within 30 days of decree entry and begin sludge removal within one year. EGLE may intervene if cleanup slips. Sediment testing will clarify next steps for the site and could trigger additional cleanup actions.

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