Detroit suburbs fight against radioactive soil shipment from New York

Communities surrounding a landfill in Van Buren Township, Michigan, are taking legal action to prevent the arrival of radioactive soil from New York, which dates back to World War II. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County court, follows a town hall meeting where local officials expressed their surprise at the shipment plans. The material, described as low-level radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project, is being transported to a licensed disposal facility in Michigan, which is the closest option available according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Local municipalities, including Belleville, Romulus, Canton Township, and Van Buren Township, are seeking an injunction to stop the deliveries, citing concerns over public safety and the lack of preparedness among local fire officials to handle potential emergencies at the landfill. Critics of the project are also questioning whether Republic Services, the company managing the landfill, should receive a new state operating license. The state environmental regulators have stated that there is no requirement for public notification regarding the shipments and have expressed no health and safety concerns about the material. However, the communities involved are adamant that they will not accept being designated as a dumping ground for hazardous materials. The situation has raised significant alarm among local residents and officials, who are demanding more transparency and involvement in decisions that affect their health and safety. The outcome of the lawsuit and the community's response could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.