DETROIT — Earlier this week, several regional lawmakers, elected officials and community leaders held a press conference to raise awareness about the proposed US Ecology expansion, its impact on Michigan landfills and the Detroit Wastewater Treatment System which serves Detroit and 76 other communities] and to encourage residents to participate in the public comment period. The deadline to submit public comments is Friday, April 12, 2019. State Reps. Isaac Robinson (D-Detroit), Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit), Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), LaTanya Garrett (D-Detroit), Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), Jewell Jones (D-Inkster), Kevin Coleman (D-Westland), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), and Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) issued the following joint statement:
“We stand in solidarity with the residents of Detroit and 76 communities including Flint served by the Detroit Wastewater Treatment System who want clean drinking water. The proposed ten-fold expansion of the US Ecology site, however, is a direct danger to clean water. US Ecology’s Georgia St site has committed over 150 violations and has dumped excessive amounts of arsenic, cyanide, mercury and other dangerous chemicals in our sewers. There has been no additional soil testing, no health studies, cumulative impact study or climate change evaluation related to this proposed expansion. It is imperative that this expansion is stopped and the demands of the community are heard. Please join us and make your voices heard; together we can put an end to this constant assault on the health and safety of our families.”
Public comments can be submitted to MDEQ by email to Richard A. Conforti at confortir@michigan.gov or by leaving a voicemail at (517)284-6558 until Friday, April 12, 2019. For additional information, please check the MDEQ public comment page.