The following public health order from the Genesee County Health Department, recommending no contact with the Flint River from Stepping Stone Falls to Willard Road in Genesee County, has been issued on June 16. This includes, but is not limited to, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and consuming fish.
This order may be updated as the investigation by EGLE and local first responders progresses.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
GENESEE COUNTY/GENESEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER AMENDED ORDER FINDING CONCERN FOR
IMMINENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH
JUNE 16, 2022
This order is made pursuant to Section 2251 of the Public Health Code, being MCL
333.2251 and amends and replaces the Order Finding Imminent Danger issued on June 15, 2022.
Matters of concern to the health of Genesee County residents have been brought to the
attention of the Medical Health Officer of Genesee County, and the Medical Health Officer has
made the following determinations:
1) On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, City of Flint and Genesee County officials
were notified of an unidentified oil-like substance in the Flint River.
Testing to identify the substance has been done but the results are pending.
The quantity of the substance released is unknown at this time, but it has
extended with the water flow of the river.
2) Residents are advised to not have direct contact or participate in any sports
or fishing in the Flint River water from Stepping Stone Falls to Willard
Road until more information is available.
3) Genesee County Hazmat Team, the State of Michigan’s Department of
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (ELGE), and the Flint and Clio
Fire Departments, and other partners are conducting a clean-up operation
to ensure that proper steps are being taken to minimize the environmental
impact. The City of Flint’s drinking water supply is not from the Flint
River and there is no danger to the drinking water supplied by the City.
4) While the response to this situation is underway and identification of the
substance continues, all residents and visitors to Genesee County should
avoid any physical contact, fishing, or water sports, on the Flint River
from Stepping Stone Falls to Willard Road in Genesee County to ensure
the safety and avoidance of any potential imminent danger to the health or
lives of citizens of the State of Michigan.
Now, Therefore, It Is Hereby Ordered that:
A) The Flint River is closed from Stepping Stone Falls to Willard Road in
Genesee County. Avoid physical contact or eating fish from the Flint
River in these areas until an all-clear is issued.
B) Before the area may be reopened, it must be determined that spilled
substance response activities do not pose a hazard of physical harm and
that the potential for any danger from this spill is resolved.
Pursuant to section 2261 of the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, being MCL
333.2261, a person who violates this order is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or a fine of not more than $200.00 or both.
Pamela B. Hackert, MD, JD, MPH
Medical Health Officer
Genesee County Health Department
Dated: June 16, 2022
