BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After the discovery of PFAS pollution at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, the Brown County Board unanimously approved filling legal action against companies which “designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, and/or sold” such products to the county.
PFAS, known as forever chemicals, have been found to increase risk of certain cancers and affect growth and fertility.
During a recent land transfer at the airport, environmental tests found PFAS near the fuel farm and adjacent hangars.
The airport reported the matter to the DNR, according to a statement.
The airport “is taking this matter very seriously and is initiating the next steps required under state environmental regulations, including retaining a qualified environmental consultant to conduct a comprehensive site investigation,” director Marty Piette said.
While there is no impact to airport operations or the public, there will be additional testing, including at nearby private wells, he said.
Because of those developments, the County Board on Wednesday unanimously approving hiring outside counsel to pursue a lawsuit.
(T)he County seeks to recover damages arising from the continuous and ongoing contamination of its property by Fluorosurfactant Products, including the past and future costs associated with the investigation, monitoring, remediation and restoration of the County,” the resolution states.
The resolution does not state how much the county is looking for but says it wants to “explore every option available to recover damages and avoid the necessary expenditure of potentially millions of dollars in unexpected and unbudgeted resources related to PFAS remediation.”
The action allows the county to hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis.
Comments