Rep. Noah Arbit takes action in response to nighttime oil dump on roadways near Pine Lake, remains in contact with local residents, township officials, and EGLE to determine source, impact of oil spill on environment and public safety 

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — Late Monday evening, the West Bloomfield Police Department closed multiple roadways near Square Lake and Middlebelt Roads after an oily substance appeared to be dumped intentionally on the road and throughout the neighborhood. State Representative Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) visited the site Tuesday morning, and has been in contact with residents, as well as officials from West Bloomfield Township, Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC), West Bloomfield Police Department (WBPD), and the Department for Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

“I am deeply disturbed by the oil spill that occurred north of Pine Lake this week; the idea that an individual or entity would intentionally and recklessly harm West Bloomfield’s environment, including our lakes, is abhorrent,” said Representative Arbit. As a resident of this neighborhood, I have been in touch with concerned residents, visited the site, and taken steps to monitor the response efforts. I am grateful for the vigilance of residents who immediately reported the incident, and for the immediate, coordinated response of WBPD, RCOC, and the Township to investigate, clean up the spill, and work to contain any environmental impact. Pine Lake will require careful monitoring by EGLE following conflicting results from on-site testing of the oily substance conducted by the HAZMAT team and the Pine Lake Association. Our priority right now is to monitor the area and take appropriate action to ensure the oil does not spread to infect Pine Lake. Residents in the area, including me, are rightfully concerned by the potential impact on our neighborhood. I have been in contact with EGLE to ensure aggressive response by the state, and will follow the results of both the environmental health assessment and criminal investigation closely. I will continue to do all that I can to ensure an appropriate response, and keep residents updated on any developments.”

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