DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – A judge granted a temporary restraining order to several Detroit-area communities after residents learned that World War II-era radioactive waste would be shipped from New York state and deposited in a nearby landfill.
Judge Kevin Cox granted the injunction for the Wayne County communities of Canton Township, Van Buren Township, Romulus and Belleville. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans celebrated the injunction, but clarified the work is “far from over.”
“Wayne County has been burdened for too long with the role of bearing toxic waste that others refuse,” Evans said in a statement. “This temporary victory reinforces the need for a permanent solution – one that ensures our communities are not used as dumping grounds for hazardous materials.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township is the closest licensed facility that can handle hazardous material. While it is illegal to dump radioactive waste in New York, it is legal and cheap to do so in Michigan. In addition, Michigan has one of a handful of radioactive waste sites in the nation.
Republic Services operates the waste site; the company has maintained the landfill is designed to safely house radioactive material.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.