Michigan AG Brought Charges against Contractor Who Abandoned Barge on Lake Michigan
JUNE 22, 2023
On June 22, 2023, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against the owner of Balcom Marine Contractors for abandoning an industrial barge on Lake Michigan in 2020, resulting in oil spillage, and then abandoning it a second time in 2021 after authorities instructed him to move it. The barge eventually sunk near a residential dock.
On August 16, 2023, AG Nessel announced that the barge had been towed from the area where it was illegally sunk, to an area where it is “no longer in apparent violation of Michigan’s environmental laws.” However, the press release noted that the criminal case was still ongoing.
On December 8, 2023, AG Nessel announced that the owner of the barge would face trial on seven charges, including a felony for the release of hazardous substances, and misdemeanors for trespass and marine safety violations.
- Documents: MI Press Release - June 2023MI Press Release - August 2023MI Press Release - December 2023
- Document Type: Press Releases/Statements
- States: Michigan
- Issues: Fossil Fuels Hazardous Waste Oil and Gas Toxics Water Water Pollution
- Era: Non-Federal
- Action Type: Environmental Enforcement