In July 2010, an Enbridge pipeline rupture released nearly one million gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River, becoming one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history. Immediately after the spill, benzene levels at some locations significantly exceeded the EPA drinking water standard, and parts of the river were closed for an extended period. This program examines the cleanup efforts and water quality changes over the sixteen years since the accident. Under the oversight of the EPA, Michigan’s environmental agency (EGLE), and other organizations, dredging and restoration efforts were carried out. According to recent monitoring data, benzene levels have decreased to below detection limits at most sites, while dissolved oxygen and pH levels remain within normal ranges. With more than 1.2 billion dollars invested in the cleanup, this case demonstrates the impact a major environmental disaster can have on a community and ecosystem, and the time and resources required for recovery.
Access Kalamazoo is a dynamic, community-driven television series that highlights the heart and soul of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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00:13:19Access Kalamazoo - Meeting with Parchment Mayor Robert BritiganAdded 1 day ago
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00:03:48Access Kalamazoo - Sixteen Years After: The Kalamazoo River Oil Spill RecoveryAdded 2 days ago
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00:04:24Access Kalamazoo - Portage Creek RestorationAdded about 2 months ago
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00:02:41Access Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Economic StruggleAdded about 2 months ago
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00:02:13Access Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo PromiseAdded about 2 months ago
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00:03:51Access Kalamazoo - A Closer Look at the January 27, 2026 Kalamazoo NFPRB MeetingAdded about 2 months ago
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00:11:16Access Kalamazoo - Art Hop December 2025: Community Tradition, Artist Maci Gast, and The Sunrise Gathering with the Koa FundAdded 4 months ago
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00:06:08Access Kalamazoo - Art Hop December 2025: Artist Paul May and the art of WoodturningAdded 4 months ago
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00:03:59Access Kalamazoo - "Black Indian" Book TalkAdded 4 months ago
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00:03:47Access Kalamazoo - Beats on Bates FunAdded 4 months ago
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00:01:08Access Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Farmer's MarketAdded 4 months ago
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00:01:09Access Kalamazoo - Maker's Market Tree Lighting CeremonyAdded 4 months ago
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00:01:22Access Kalamazoo - A Look at Upjohn Park and What it Did for EdisonAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:29Access Kalamazoo - Bronco HockeyAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:08Access Kalamazoo - More on the Kalamazoo Farmers MarketAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:16Access Kalamazoo - A Look at Milham ParkAdded 5 months ago
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00:00:53Access Kalamazoo - A Look at Flesher Field ParkAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:08Access Kalamazoo - Bread of Life Food Drive with Will WilloughbyAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:36Access Kalamazoo - Emergency Food Distribution at Kalamazoo Growlers Stadium: Michelle BoudreauAdded 5 months ago
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00:00:55Access Kalamazoo - A Look at the Oshtemo Township ParkAdded 5 months ago
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00:02:07Access Kalamazoo - Fire Community Store: Helping Those In NeedAdded 5 months ago
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00:01:45Access Kalamazoo - The Kalamazoo Farmers MarketAdded 5 months ago
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00:10:17Access Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Art Hop November 2025Added 5 months ago
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00:01:57Access Kalamazoo - A Look Back at the Kalamazoo Halloween ForestAdded 5 months ago
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00:02:29Access Kalamazoo - KVCC's Electronic and EPS Foam Recycling EventAdded 5 months ago
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00:02:33Access Kalamazoo - A Look into the "You Belong Here" Health and Wellness FairAdded 5 months ago
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00:03:04Access Kalamazoo - Washington Avenue Arts and Culture Crawl: Embracing the ArtsAdded 6 months ago
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00:01:47Access Kalamazoo - Boos In The ZooAdded 6 months ago
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00:03:35Access Kalamazoo - No Kings Protest and Beats On BatesAdded 6 months ago
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00:14:01Access Kalamazoo - Downtown Development, Kalamazoo and YouAdded 7 months ago