BUCHANAN, Mich. -- Downtown construction in Buchanan received a citation from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) due to rain causing sediment from the construction to travel into the creek. 

The original citation notice from EGLE to the city of Buchanan on Aug. 18 in part states: 

"During the August 18, 2025, inspection and the subsequent document review, the following violations and concerns were observed and are detailed in the attached Inspection Report and Photo Log:

1. Unauthorized Discharge
a. EGLE staff observed sediment laden stormwater discharging from the Site via an outfall into McCoy Creek.

2. SESC Measures Not Implemented
a. The approved SESC plan includes catch basin inserts in all stormwater catch basins within the area of the earth disturbance. EGLE staff observed that there were no catch basin inserts installed at the time of the inspection.

3. Inadequate Inspection Logs
a. EGLE staff reviewed the certified construction stormwater inspection logs and found that they only contained the date the SESC measure was installed; they lack details including the condition of the installed SESC measures, site conditions and photo documentation."

The construction was ordered to stop immediately to fix the issue. After a second later complaint, EGLE ordered the contractor to send photos to ensure the creek was clear.

Buchanan has to regularly send photos to EGLE now to prove sediment is not going into the creek.

Buchanan City Manager, Tony McGhee, tells ABC57 there were two 'bags' or cloth sheets missing that prevent runoff into the drains. These are in place as part of the soil erosion settlement control required to follow during construction.

The EGLE required a response from the city of Buchanan by Sept. 25. 

"The City of Buchanan respectfully submits this response to the Violation Notice dated September 2, 2025, regarding the Buchanan CM project. We appreciate EGLE’s feedback and have taken corrective action to address the violations noted," stated Tony McGhee in a response letter on Sept. 18. 

"We appreciate EGLE’s cooperation and guidance as we complete this important infrastructure project".