In a recent city council meeting, officials expressed urgent concerns regarding the shipment of hazardous radioactive waste to a landfill in Van Buren Township. Despite limited jurisdiction over the landfill, council members unanimously agreed to draft a resolution opposing the shipment and calling for changes to the notification process from federal and state governments.

Council member Walker initiated the discussion, highlighting notifications received during his vacation about the hazardous materials being transported. He emphasized the need for a resolution to formally express the city's opposition and to ensure that local officials are notified in advance of any such shipments, including details on safety measures and transport schedules.

Council member Wilson suggested modifications to the resolution, advocating for a stronger stance that would formally request Wayne Disposal to reconsider accepting radioactive waste. He referenced recent comments from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, who stated that the county would not accept such waste due to potential dangers to residents, drawing parallels to the environmental disaster in Ohio last year.

The council members voiced their collective frustration over the ongoing issue of hazardous waste being transported to their communities, with some suggesting that increased tipping fees could deter waste shipments to the area. They also discussed the need for greater oversight from federal and state agencies, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to prevent permits from being issued without community consent.

Council member Wadsworth, who has been advocating against hazardous waste for decades, underscored the importance of passing the resolution as a step toward legislative change. He acknowledged the challenges faced in getting results but stressed the necessity of continued advocacy and resolution adoption.

The council plans to finalize the resolution, aiming to strengthen its language and ensure that their concerns are heard at higher levels of government. The meeting concluded with a commitment to work collaboratively to protect the community from hazardous waste threats.