Over 1,200, local, state, federal and Enbridge workers are engaged in the effort to restore our community following the July 26th pipeline 6B rupture which dumped an estimated up to 1,000,000 gallons of crude oil, much of it into Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo River. While the pipeline break was not in our township, Marshall Township residents carry the burden of the aftermath.

Marshall Township government and our fire department are cooperating agencies in the response. A member of our township Board has attended many meetings associated with the response effort and has advocated strongly for our residents and for better communications. We will continue this effort in the weeks ahead.

We wish to commend our Marshall Township Firefighters for the role they have played. Quick action and response from the on-scene remote location at 15 Mile Road and “A” Drive North by our on-duty firefighters most assuredly led to a contract worker's life being saved after he had suffered a full cardiac arrest on August 5th. The remote location has served a dual purpose of providing quick response both to the primary spill areas and also to residences of the township south of the Kalamazoo River. Enbridge has committed to fully reimburse the township for all expenses related to these services.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead government agency directing on scene operations. For detailed information related to the response effort, please visit the special EPA website where you will not only find a wealth of information but also links to related information from other responding agencies. More information is added daily to the website and it is kept up to date.

The Enbridge website is also available. The company has established community resource centers at 333 South Kalamazoo Avenue in Marshall and 77 East Michigan Avenue (Commerce Pointe Building) in Battle Creek. The offices are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Residents with concerns, claims or questions can either call the hotline at 1-800-306-6837 or visit the center in person.

Updated 8-10-2010