Diesel leak in the Pine River

LEXIE THAYER
STAFF WRITER

1/20/2025

On December 27th, Wolverine Pipeline, a company that transports petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel, was alerted by the Gratiot County Drain Commission about a pipeline leak near Arcadia, Michigan. 

The ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident suggests that an excavator damaged the pipes, leading to the leak. For further proof, there is a 1.5-inch-deep indentation on the surface of the pipe where the leak began. 

Although the leak did not reach the main branch of the Pine River, the environmental consequences were overwhelming. In the days following the leak, over 1,200 gallons of petroleum products were extracted from the water. 

Additionally, the support team has removed over three ‘roll-offs’ of contaminated soil. The amount of petroleum deposited within the ground is still actively being evaluated. 

Environmental consultants have collected further samples from the affected area to assess the damage caused by the leak. They are actively working to remove all the petroleum as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the nearest water well, located a quarter mile away, does not appear to have been impacted by the leak. 

Wolverine installed a new pipe 34 feet below the drain to prevent future incidents. This is a large improvement from the last pipe, which was only 8 feet below the drain. Additionally, the company is working to remedy the nearby pipes in the area, to ensure no other leaks occur. 

As a local from the Alma area, I am exhausted by the constant abuse the Pine River has endured. The history of our city is based on the river – specifically people coming for its ‘healing capabilities’ – and yet we have done nothing but dump harmful things into it. 

Unfortunately, it would be impossible to discuss this topic without bringing up Vesicol and its historical dumping of the harmful chemical dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) in the Pine River. 

Vesicol got away with dumping chemicals into the Pine River for years and only paid a one-hundred-million-dollar fee that has not been able to sufficiently fund the cleanup. The effects of the dumping linger today, and the environment will never recover from the chemicals. 

Although the leak from Wolverine Chemical is not as impactful as the ramifications that followed Vesicol, I believe this situation should be increasingly discussed within our community and college campus. 

“I can’t help but be angry about this situation. I understand that the company has worked hard to reduce the damage from the leak, but it should have never happened in the first place.” said Emily Ahearn (‘26). 

“I remember learning about Vesicol’s contribution to the Pine River’s pollution, and now, hearing about more pollution being added to our river breaks my heart. When will enough be enough?” said Hailee Risner (‘28). 

“As someone from this area, it is concerning that I have not heard about the leak yet. It’s terrifying to think about the wildlife that may be affected by the further pollution in the river.” said Lillian Sierwakowski (‘28). 

More pollution from a large company in the river has occurred. This time, I urge everyone to fight back – the community deserves the proper reimbursement from Wolverine Pipeline. We are all in this together. 

For more information, the Healthy Pine River is an organization that responds to the degradation of the Pine River. They meet monthly on the second Thursday of each month at the Alma Public Library at 7:00 P.M.