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Where We Stand

After reading about some preliminary test results for PFAS* at the former Crown Vantage mill site in Cooper Township and Parchment in 2018, Georgia-Pacific (GP) contacted the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). We immediately agreed to work with the state on a hydrogeological study of the area around the former mill site. The study was conducted to help EGLE better understand groundwater flows in the area and identify possible sources of PFAS in the groundwater. In June, 2019 GP submitted a hydrogeological study report to EGLE. The results of the study show facilities associated with the former Crown Vantage mill site appear to be a likely source for PFAS that have been detected in groundwater in the vicinity of the former plant.

GP has a history of working cooperatively with the state of Michigan on environmental issues and we will continue to do so.

*According to the U.S. EPA, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the world, including in the United States, since the 1940s.

Studies associated with the former Crown Vantage facility

Work was completed in June 2019 on the hydrogeological study in the vicinity of the former Crown Vantage mill site, which enabled a better understanding of groundwater flow, direction and potential sources of PFAS in the Parchment and Cooper Township areas.

To see the work plan and addendum, click here.

To see the hydrogeological study report, click here.

As a follow-up to the hydrogeological study, in September 2020, GP completed a supplemental investigation at the former Crown Vantage mill site and the associated landfills. The investigation work included additional groundwater monitoring wells, along with soil and surface water samples.  Those efforts resulted in the generation of two reports -- one outlining the results of the investigation at the former mill site, and a second outlining the results from resampling wells installed during the hydrogeological study in the wider study area.  

To see the Site Investigation Work Plan, click here.

To see the Site Investigation Report, click here.

To see the Groundwater Monitoring Report, click here.

Full copies of these documents are available from EGLE.

Since early 2021 GP has worked to secure the former landfills by fencing the property and demolishing the former wastewater treatment building.  We recently completed fencing the former wastewater lagoons just south of the landfills through an agreement with the City of Parchment.   

GP expects groundwater monitoring to continue for the foreseeable future in the portions of Cooper Township and the City of Parchment near the former mill site.

A copy of the 2023 groundwater monitoring results and future groundwater monitoring plan can be found here.

Annual groundwater monitoring reports will be provided to EGLE.

For more information about work performed at the site, please contact:

David Harn
EGLE
Kalamazoo District Office
517.897.0881
[email protected]

Georgia-Pacific and the Former Crown Vantage Site in Parchment, Mich.:

Although GP never owned or operated the Crown Vantage mill and its associated landfills in Parchment, Michigan, we did work with the State of Michigan to close and cap the landfills in 2003. A summary of the ownership history of the mill site is provided below.

PFAS at the Former Crown Vantage Site in Parchment, Mich.:

We believe that during the time James River owned the mill, its operations included, at times, the manufacture of paper products using PFAS sold by 3M. In 1995, the mill was spun off to Crown Vantage, which likely also manufactured products containing certain PFAS sold by 3M.

Former Parchment, Mich., Crown Vantage Site Ownership and Related Events Timeline:

  • 1909: Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Co. (KVP) opens a parchment mill just outside the city of Kalamazoo, Mich. (community is subsequently named Parchment)
  • 1917: Sutherland Paper Co. opens boxboard mill in Kalamazoo, Mich.
  • 1960: KVP merges with Sutherland Paper Co. to form KVP-Sutherland Co.
  • 1966: Brown Co. (of Berlin, N.H.) acquires KVP-Sutherland
  • 1968: Gulf & Western Industries acquires a controlling interest in Brown Co.
  • 1980: James River Corp. purchases Brown Co.’s pulp and paper business (including KVP Plant) from Gulf & Western
  • 1987: Part of the KVP Parchment, Mich., mill landfill ceases operation
  • 1995: James River spins off several properties into what subsequently becomes a separate public company known as Crown Vantage Paper Co.
    • KVP Parchment, Mich., mill is part of that spin off
  • 1997: James River and Fort Howard merge to form Fort James Corp.
  • 2000: Crown Vantage declares bankruptcy and the mill in Parchment, Mich., along with the rest of the associated landfill, ceases operations
  • 2000: GP acquires Fort James
    • acquisition includes the Epic Dixie plant in Parchment, Mich.
  • 2015: GP closes Epic Dixie plant

Resources:
Kalamazoo County PFAS Water Response: www.kalcounty.com/hcs/pfasresponse.php
Michigan PFAS Action Response Team: www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/