Brownfield Reclamation Meets Historic Preservation

1786 – French settlers leave British-controlled Detroit and establish the settlement of Frenchtown 35 miles to the south

January 22, 1813 – British soldiers defeat the Americans at the Battle of the River Raisin at Frenchtown, and Native American allies massacre 50 wounded American soldiers.  The combined casualties are the largest loss of American soldiers in the War of 1812.  “Remember the Raisin” becomes a battle cry for the remainder of the successful western campaign.

1917 – Monroe Paper Company builds a large paper mill complex on the battlefield site

1981 – The paper mill becomes a RCRA Interim Status Permit facility

1995 – Jefferson-Smurfit Paper Company closes and abandons the mill complex

March 30, 2009 – The River Raisin National Battlefield Park becomes the first reclaimed brownfield to be incorporated into the National Park Service

How did this happen?  This presentation will describe the ten-year journey from abandoned paper mill to preserved historic jewel.  Many obstacles, including acquiring the land, finding over $3 million dollars in brownfield financing to demolish buildings and conduct environmental assessment and remediation activities, addressing RCRA Corrective Action liabilities, and restoring the site, were encountered and overcome by an impressive team comprised of consultants; the City of Monroe, MI; U.S. EPA; Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries; and Congressman John Dingell (D-MI).