Canton Township Board approves joining lawsuit to block proposed radioactive-waste shipments to Wayne County

The Canton Township Board of Trustees voted to join other Western Wayne County communities in pursuing an injunction to block shipments of radioactive-contaminated soil and groundwater to a landfill south of Canton. The board approved a $20,000 budget amendment and authorized the township supervisor to sign documents to join the coalition.

Deputy Supervisor (unnamed) told the board the landfill—Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township—has agreed to accept material described in staff remarks as "6,000 cubic yards of soil and 4,000 gallons of groundwater contaminated with radioactive waste" from a New York site tied to historic Manhattan Project activity. The deputy supervisor said estimated legal costs for the suit range from about $35,000 to $40,000 and that communities are expected to contribute roughly $5,000 each.

The motion to authorize the township to join the lawsuit and to approve the $20,000 budget amendment was made from the floor and was supported; after public comment the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Residents who spoke at the meeting urged decisive action. "It's really concerning because it's the safety of our kids and the next generations," said Chandra Acharya, who identified herself as a Canton resident and said a petition from Canton had gathered more than 2,000 signatures. Another speaker noted town-hall participation by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the U.S. EPA and other agencies and said many residents spoke against the proposal at that forum.

Board members emphasized population density and proximity to the Huron River and nearby schools. One trustee noted the other candidate disposal sites were in much less populated areas and called Wayne County’s site "right in the backyard." A board member also raised first-responder concerns if an incident occurred while shipments were in transit.

Deputy Supervisor said Van Buren Township had already passed a resolution and was leading the effort; he said the next step is filing litigation "in the near future." The board did not provide a detailed schedule for the suit in the meeting record.

The injunction authorization follows public concern reported in local media. The board’s action commits Canton to join a multi-jurisdictional legal effort and to contribute toward anticipated costs; any further appropriation or continuing obligation will be subject to future board action and the progress of the litigation.