Oscoda residents and US Congressman Dan Kildee held a virtual meeting on Tuesday calling on the Air Force to clean up pollution at the former Wurtsmith base.
Residents say they are “seriously considering” a lawsuit against the Air Force.
In June, the Air Force announced that it would use a $13.5-million congressional appropriation to clean up the base.
That was after pressure fromresidents and lawmakerswhen the Air Force first announced it would use those funds for additional studies of pollution in the region.
But residents say it is still not clear how much of the appropriation will be put towards clean up - or if the funding will address plumes leaking into Van Etten lake.
Tony Spaniola owns property in Oscoda. He said the citizen’s group is working through legal obstacles to potentially bring a lawsuit to hold the Air Force accountable.
“Is a lawsuit possible? Absolutely. Will it happen tomorrow or next week? Probably not but stay tuned. We’re fighting for our lives in Oscoda.”
US Congressman Dan Kildee said there are federal efforts to hold the Air Force accountable for clean up.
“There’s an amendment that we have offered that would essentially require the US Government to clean up to whatever the higher standard would be.”
That amendment was introduced by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
The Air Force had previously said it will give an in-depth presentation on its plans at the next meeting with the community.
That meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 o’clock.