The developers of Grand Traverse Town Center, the major mixed-use complex featuring a new Meijer store under construction off M-72 in Acme, received a violation notice Monday from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

According to the notice sent to J.R. Anderson of the Village at Grand Traverse LLC, inspectors visited the site multiple times in September and October, and on each of the inspection dates, "observed the unlawful discharge of soils from the construction site to either wetlands and/or Acme Creek." The report continues that it is "integrally recognized and understood" that such contamination often "results in a discharge of the same to Grand Traverse Bay." Staff observed that the developers' "soil erosion control measures were not effective" and "were not fully installed and/or were not of a type sufficient to address...the site's soils."

The DEQ stated that developers are "expected to immediately take all necessary and otherwise lawful actions needed to achieve and maintain compliance" with state environmental regulations. The Village at Grand Traverse LLC must submit a response by October 29 including a corrective action plan that identifies steps to be taken to "immediately cease the aforementioned violations," and must also provide a revised Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) plan. The notice also informs developers that the DEQ reserves the right to request additional activities, "including restoration activities in Acme Creek and its floodplains, wetlands or Grand Traverse Bay," as well as "to take additional or escalated enforcement action and levy fines and penalties with regards to past, continuing or future violations."

Photo credit: Steve Stinson