Public Criticizes GRR's Deicing Plan

June 10, 2013
Airport wants to 'direct' 6,000 gallons of deicing fluid into river.

Two property owners associations organized a public meeting last Thursday to discuss concerns over plans by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport over deicing fluid. Airport officials plan to spend $22.2 million on a system pumping storm water runoff through a series of cells in a retention area containing fungi and bacteria which feed on the propylene glycol, depleting it before it is diffused and allowed into the river. However, the plan will release some 6,000 gallons of deicing fluid into the Thornapple River. More information can be found here.