Van Buren Township Residents Brace for Radioactive Waste Import Amid Court Ruling

Van Buren Township Waste Management Saga Continues

Van Buren Township, Michigan, is currently buzzing with mixed emotions as a local hazardous waste facility, Wayne Disposal Inc., has received the green light from a Wayne County judge to resume importing certain types of radioactive waste. This news comes on the heels of a previous ruling that prohibited the facility from accepting any radiological materials.

Judge’s Revised Order

Last week, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kevin J. Cox amended his earlier order from September 18, which had barred Wayne Disposal from accepting radiological material altogether. The new order allows the landfill to accept certain radioactive wastes from approved cleanup sites across the country but continues to restrict materials from a specific location— the Niagara Falls Storage Site in New York, a site that has a history dating back to the Manhattan Project of World War II.

This change has raised eyebrows and sparked anxiety among local residents and officials. Many residents are apprehensive about having radioactive waste stored in a primarily residential area. Community leaders and residents had expressed their concerns through a lawsuit filed against Wayne Disposal earlier this month.

Community Concerns

Community members are worried about safety. “Having waste with radioactive properties nearby makes me feel uneasy,” shared Jeneen Rippey, a Van Buren Township resident. “The material from Luckey, Ohio, is equally dangerous and radioactive to that of the material that is supposed to come from Niagara.” Her sentiments reflect those of many in the township, who are demanding more transparency from local officials about these operations.

Wayne Disposal’s Defense

Melissa Quillard, the senior manager of external communications for Republic Services, which owns Wayne Disposal, defended the landfill’s operations. She reassured the community by stating, “The landfill meets or exceeds all regulations and is designed to safely manage this type of material.” According to Quillard, both the U.S. Army Corps and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy have determined that material from the Niagara Falls site does not pose a public health risk.

Meanwhile, the Army Corps, responsible for cleaning up former Manhattan Project locations, is preparing to send waste from five other sites to Wayne Disposal. These include locations in Cleveland, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; and Middletown, Iowa, among others. This news has intensified local residents’ concerns about the overall safety of having such materials transported to their community.

Outrage and Action

Residents are not taking these developments lightly. There has been widespread outrage since plans to ship radioactive waste became public in August. Local political leaders, including U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, gathered at a town hall meeting to discuss these concerns. During the meeting, many residents voiced their opposition and alarm over the impending disposal plans, leading local lawmakers to consider legislative action.

State representatives, including Reggie Miller and Darrin Camilleri, are planning to introduce new bills intended to either slow down or stop the influx of hazardous waste into Michigan. They are advocating for increased fees on hazardous waste dumping, stricter regulations, and even a complete ban on certain radioactive materials.

Next Steps

The matter is far from settled. A motion hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, where community stakeholders hope to continue voicing their concerns and findings. As the courthouse buzzes with anticipation, Van Buren Township residents are left hoping for a resolution that prioritizes their safety.

The unfolding situation has drawn the community together in shared concern for their health and environment, while also highlighting the complexities involved in managing hazardous waste in residential areas. The story of Wayne Disposal is far from over, and it remains to be seen how this legal battle will shape the community’s future.