LANSING – State Representative Rose Mary C. Robinson (D-Detroit) announced today that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is taking public comments on a request from US Ecology, a hazardous waste facility in House District 4, for a license to expand their hazardous waste facility. Robinson encourages residents to make their voices heard on this proposed expansion as the facility is located within a mile of a number of schools, houses of worship, a hospital and a senior center.
“Detroit should not be the dumping ground and storage site for hazardous waste from across the country,” said Robinson. “Residents should have their say on whether or not this expansion should be allowed.”
The MDEQ has expanded its public comment period to Saturday, Sept. 12. To submit a public comment, residents may contact Richard A. Conforti at confortir@michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 284-6558. More information on US Ecology’s request can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3312_4118_4240-359331–,00.html.
The US Ecology facility currently accepts radioactive fracking waste from Pennsylvania as well as accepting PCB contaminated wastes. Robinson is alarmed at the possibility that this expansion would allow it to accept event more hazardous waste from across Michigan and even other states. That waste would be transported along roads and highways through Detroit posing a danger to residents and businesses. The facility is located only a half mile from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and a spill or leak would endanger the city’s water supply and the residents and businesses it serves. Robinson is also is alarmed that there no health impact study has been done on this proposed expansion.
US Ecology is located less than a mile from the following churches, schools, mosques and hospitals in House District 4 including: Transfiguration Catholic Church ,1.7 miles; Madjid Mu-ath Bin Jabil, 1/2 mile; St. Florian Catholic Church, 1.6 miles; Lodge Playground, .8 miles; Al-Islah Islamic Center, 2.0 miles; Crocket High School, .3 miles; Masjid Al-Falah, 2.8 miles; Islamic Center of Hamtramck, 1.8 miles; Alkebu-Lan Center, .9 miles; Elyton Baptist Church , .3 miles; New Mt. Zion Church of God and Christ, .8 miles; Consodine Little Rock Family Center, 3.1 miles; Detroit Medical Center, 4 miles; Dickinson East School, 1.4 miles; Hamtramck City Hall, 1.4 miles; Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3.6 miles; Detroit Water and Sewage Department, 1/2 mile; Triumph Church – East Campus, 2.7 miles; Oakland International Academy, 1.1 miles; Hamtramck Senior Plaza, 1.6 miles and Second Ebenezer Church , 4.3 miles.