Work On Michigan’s Harbor Island Continues With Coal Pile Cleanup

The remediation project on Michigan’s Harbor Island continues to progress, with a new cleanup effort launching in April 2025 that represents up to $1 million in cost savings from the original cleanup plan. Trucks, excavators and dozers are working on the site to remove coal and coal-impacted soil from an 11-acre former coal pile on the site.  

In 2020, initial cleanup efforts on the former coal pile area began before the discovery of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which necessitated a different approach led by HDR. 

This Harbor Island news article details the new work going on at the site, located in Grand Haven, Michigan, and past cleanup efforts.

“Once [the work] is complete, we will verify that the coal and coal impacted soil has been removed and submit a report to [the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy] for approval, and with that, the first piece of the puzzle of renewing Harbor Island will be in place,” said Bryce Burkett, HDR’s senior geotechnical engineer, in the article.

HDR has been leading the significant environmental investigation effort on Harbor Island, which was used for industrial purposes and waste disposal for more than 100 years, resulting in PFAS and coal contamination. Work continues toward remediation compliance and planning. 

In June 2024, HDR unveiled three redevelopment concepts for Harbor Island as a look to the future after remediation finalizes. The goal is to leverage Harbor Island’s unique location — on the Grand River, near Grand Haven’s downtown and just a mile from Lake Michigan — as a recreational hotspot while honoring its environmental features.