Michigan judge halts Manhattan Project radioactive waste from landfill
- A temporarily stopped a hazardous waste shipment from entering the state
- The shipment contained radioactive materials from a Manhattan Project site
- The shipment was expected to go to a landfill in Van Buren Township in Wayne County
A Michigan judge has temporarily blocked a shipment of radioactive material from entering a landfill waste site in Wayne County.
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox approved a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, which stops pending shipments of contaminated soil and rubble from New York to the Wayne Disposal Landfill in Van Buren Township.
Wayne County Disposal has until Sept. 24 to respond to the junction. The judge set a hearing for Sept. 26.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing the removal of “low-level radioactive soil” from Lewiston, New York, a site from the Manhattan Project, Associated Press reported. Michigan is only slated to accept waste from the first phase of the remediation project, which has the lowest level of radioactivity.
Related:
- Nuclear waste from Manhattan Project headed to southeast Michigan landfill
- Michigan stopped Ohio toxic waste last week, but we import waste every day
The court ruling comes after the shipments triggered outcry from residents and officials concerned about the dangers of hazardous waste disposal being so close to their homes.
Belleville, Romulus, Canton and Van Buren townships filed a lawsuit with landfill owner Republic Services, seeking a court order to halt the 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil.
Surrounding communities including Dearborn Heights, Inkster and Wayne are joining the lawsuit.
“This is one small victory in a much bigger fight, and I will not rest until there is a permanent solution,” state Rep. Reggie Miller, D-Van Buren Township, said in a statement. “The people of Wayne County have spoken loud and clear: Our hometown will not be the dumping ground for toxic, radioactive waste.”
The landfill is licensed to accept only lightly radioactive waste which presents a low risk to the public, according to The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Republic Services spokesperson Melissa Quillard told The Detroit News the facility “remains in compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit regarding the design, operation and monitoring of the facility, and obtained concurrence from EGLE for the acceptance of this material from the US Army Corps of Engineers.”
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