September 11, 2023

We pause to remember the importance of 9/11 in American history, all first responders, and the
lasting impacts to each of us.

Leaders of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA) are disappointed that the
Michigan Attorney General’s (AG) office has opted to take legal action to enforce cleanup
despite the Airport’s unwavering multi-year commitment to environmental stewardship on behalf
of the community. A formal complaint has not yet been received from the State so the
Airport is not in a position to comment on the AG’s specific action.

The Airport continues extensive, data-driven efforts to proactively assess and mitigate the
potential impacts of PFAS (per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances) on and off Airport property.
PFAS are a group of thousands of man-made chemical compounds that have been used since
the 1940s in a wide variety of consumer and commercial products, including certain firefighting
foams used around the world to help ensure the safety of the traveling public. PFAS are now
found throughout the environment. Their levels and potential impacts have become an evolving
national conversation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and commercial airports in
the United States due to the federally mandated use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
containing PFAS in airport firefighting efforts.

While PFAS mitigation solutions are not yet readily available in industry, the Airport continues
collaborative efforts with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE),
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and other partners to proactively research,
test, and deploy solutions. Our commitment includes:

• Work with Cascade Charter Township and the City of Grand Rapids to extend drinking
water supply within the Township to over 400 homes over multiple phases
• An Environmental Pilot Program with the FAA, Michigan State University Center for
PFAS Research, and other leading PFAS experts to test a novel solution for stabilizing
PFAS in soil
• Evaluation of all Airport stormwater
• Analysis of groundwater on and off Airport property
• Study of soil on Airport property
• Testing of neighboring residential wells
• Laboratory testing of surface water treatability solutions

The Airport is also actively engaged in industry conversations related to the FAA’s efforts to
approve a fluorine-free firefighting foam and identify transition details with updates to this
evolving national conversation from the EPA, FAA, Congress, MDOT, and trade industry entities
and associations.

It’s unfortunate discussions with the AG’s office have come to an impasse despite years of
environmental study and progress. The Airport will continue to follow its `True North’ in
advancing environmental stewardship on behalf of the West Michigan community and the
aviation industry, while providing a world-class travel experience.

- Casey Ries, Engineering & Planning Director, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority
Resources:

GFIAA Environmental efforts: https://www.grr.org/environmental-commitment-pfas.

Cascade Township PFAS Remediation Water Extension Project:

https://www.cascadetwp.com/community/pfas-remediation-water-extension-project

FAA Firefighting Foam Transition Plan:

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA_Aircraft_F3_Transition_Plan_2023.pdf