Up North Progressive

Less than 48 hours until the state’s largest standing army moves into the forests and fields of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning to anyone hunting within 5 miles of Clark’s Marsh in Oscoda to not eat the meat from the deer they kill due to elevated levels of PFOs, a variant of PFAs found in samples of tested deer living within two miles of the marsh. They also advise people to not eat kidneys or liver of any deer due to internal organs storing PFA’s.

PFAs became a concern in Michigan after the revelation the MDEQ knew six years ago PFA contamination in the state’s water supply was a serious health threat, yet refused to inform the public there was any problem. Communities all over the state have been tested and found dangerous levels of PFAs exist in the drinking water supply. Parchment, Michigan, issued a bottle water advisory due to high levels of PFAs.

The state so far has tested fish and deer, but have not tested any livestock.

The source of the contamination of Clark’s Marsh is the US Air Force Base in Oscoda. The MDEQ has issued two violation notices against the USAF for the contamination of Clark’s Marsh. The Air Force continues to work on pumping and cleaning contaminated groundwater, but they fell behind their goal in 2017. The fire retardant foam used by airports to put out fires is the likely source of contamination in Clark’s Marsh.

128 deer were tested in different parts of the state. The one deer tested within two miles of Clark’s Marsh was the only deer with elevated levels. There are plans to begin PFAs testing on other game in Michigan in the future. The MDHHS advises everyone to visit the Michigan.gov website and read the information provided on the Eat Safe Fish and Game page.