Van Buren landfill seeks tenfold increase in radiation allowances

12:29 PM, September 2, 2014 

A hazardous waste landfill near Belleville [see map below] that has gained the attention of Michigan lawmakers for accepting low-activity radioactive oil and gas fracking waste from other states is seeking approval for a tenfold increase in allowable radiation levels in the materials it receives.

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How to make your voice heard

USEcology is asking the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to allow it a tenfold increase in the level of radiation in waste it stores at its Wayne Disposal landfill in Van Buren Township.
To voice an opinion on the request:
Contact the Snyder administration:
Gov. Rick Snyder: 517-373-3400 or P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality: 800-662-9278
Contact your state representative or senator:
Visit www.legislature.mi.gov and click “contact your representative” or “contact your senator” to find the lawmakers who represent you and how to contact them.

MDEQ HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON NEW DRAFT FRACKING RULES

If you are concerned about Fracking in Michigan - then we need you to speak out now!  

The MDEQ is now accepting comments on their new draft rules for hydraulic fracturing.  The comment period ends on Thursday July 31.  There are two public hearings - one in Gaylord on Tuesday July 15, and one in Lansing on July 16.  Both are from 6:30-9:30PM.  Details are in the official Public Notice here:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oogm-Part615-Revision-NOH2014_460477_7.pdf  

We need as many people as possible to attend these two hearings, and tell the DEQ:  

"These new rules don't make fracking any safer for Michigan; our air, water and communities are still at risk, and MDEQ needs to go much much further to protect us, or just stop allowing fracking."  

Would you be willing to go to one of the hearings, and help us to share that message?  

Won't you please join us?  Our attendance at these two hearings are one of the most direct ways we'll ever have of winning any positive changes in Michigan having to do with extracting fossil fuels.  If you live in an area of Michigan that has been subjected to new extreme hydraulic fracturing for natural gas or oil, then you have important input for the DEQ on their proposed rules.  Who better than you to tell them what it's like to live near one of these places?  

If you have any questions at all, let me know at rita.chapman@sierraclub.org.  

Thank you, I hope to hear from you!    

Rita Chapman

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter