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Dow Chemical Offers Cash To Michigan Residents With Land In Floodplain

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) - Dow Chemical is offering money to 450 property owners along the Tittabawassee River in exchange for not developing the land and giving the company access to check for contaminated soil.

The land is in a floodplain in Midland and Saginaw counties. The company says property owners would get $10,000, plus $1,000 per acre, for a permanent easement.

Spokesman Nate Kerns says 76 percent of the floodplain already is undeveloped. Property owners would agree to keep the land in its current state and allow Dow to perform any sampling or cleanup. Decades ago, the company released dioxins to the air and water.

Tittabawassee Township Supervisor Rick Hayes tells The Saginaw News it's a generous offer because land in a floodplain typically can't be developed.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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