Impending disposal of radioactive waste in Van Buren Township raises alarm among authorities
According to EGLE, only five landfills in the country could accept the waste, and Wayne Disposal is geographically closest to the New York City landfill.
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) – Lawmakers are concerned about the radioactive waste coming to southeast Michigan. On Tuesday, lawmakers joined about 150 residents who voiced their concerns at a Wayne County Board of Commissioners meeting.
About 4,000 gallons of radioactive groundwater and 6,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project in New York are released into Wayne County. And the decision surprised the officials.
“When you say nuclear waste, that’s the mother of all ‘not in my backyard’ problems,” said Patrick Cullen of Wayne County Environmental Services.
Semi-trailers full of contaminated soil and groundwater are taken to Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township.
“This has to come through our communities, so it’s not just about Van Buren, it’s coming through our communities,” said U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Dearborn).
“How can we improve notifications? I mean, we’re all constantly being surprised,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor).
Dingell and Tlaib are working with the Wayne County Board of Commissioners to determine whether the shipments can be prevented – and whether better communication can help prepare both officials and residents if and when radioactive material of this kind is transported.
“EGLE was notified and knew it was coming,” Dingell said. “I think there are people who deal with this so day-to-day that they don’t have a political filter or understand that people in the communities are going to be very upset and concerned.”
Meeting of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners took place on Tuesday
The state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy was present at the meeting. Representatives say the waste could potentially be sent to any Class 2 landfill — but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to play it safe.
According to EGLE, only five landfills in the country could accept the waste, and Wayne Disposal is geographically closest to the New York City landfill.
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“I would like to hear from the Army Corps what efforts they have made to identify additional sites,” Cullen said.
They want to answer all of these questions at a town hall meeting next Wednesday. The district will work with its lawyers and state and federal officials on possible solutions.
