Thousands Of Dead Fish In Michigan Killed By Dam, Not Hazardous Waste From Ohio Derailment

BELLEVILLE, MI — Thousands of dead fish in the Belleville area were killed by a dam, not the disposal at a nearby facility of hazardous waste from last month’s Ohio train derailment, according to authorities.

An estimated 10,000 fish, mostly black crappie, recently died, according to Van Buren Charter Township. An investigation by state agencies found that the deaths below Ford Lake Dam were the result of the dam drawing water — and many fish — from the bottom of the lake, according to the township, which added the fish were then sucked into turbines and killed.

“This is due to the spring melt and operators of Ford Lake and the Huron River water system managing the water levels between the dams,” a news release from the township said. “The officials have advised this occurrence is likely to last another month.”

In a thread on Twitter, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy clarified that the derailment waste is 4,500 feet deep in stable rock formations and is being regularly inspected and monitored.

The Feb. 3 derailment forced thousands of people in East Palestine, Ohio, to evacuate for days to allow responders to burn toxic chemicals in the train cars to prevent an explosion, leaving residents with lingering health concerns. Government officials say tests over the past month haven't found dangerous levels of chemicals in the air or water in the area.

Ohio filed a lawsuit against railroad Norfolk Southern to make sure it pays for the cleanup and environmental damage caused by the fiery train derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, the state's attorney general said Tuesday. The federal lawsuit also seeks to force the company to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring in the years ahead and economic losses in East Palestine and surrounding areas, said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.