Winter 2008
Issue

Click here for PDF
 

 

<— Back to Table of Contents

Archive

Wayne County News

Romulus Toxic Well Halted for Now

By Ted Sylvester
February/March Issue, 2005

In a stunning development, thestate’s Department of Environmental Quality has told a Birmingham company that it will not grant them a license to open an already constructed hazardous waste facility in Romulus, near Metro Airport. The DEQ in December notified Environmental Disposal Systems that it would deny their application for an operating license for their commercial deep-injection hazardous waste wells. EDS then withdrew their operating application.

“They have a lot of work to do (if they want to operate in Romulus),” the DEQ press secretary told local media. A “routine review” of the EDS application by the DEQ found “a substantial defect in the construction of the railroad siding at the facility,” drawings that did not match actual construction, and a handful of other concerns. The DEQ told EDS that it could reapply after it makes corrections and hires an independent engineering firm to recertify the entire site.

The news was well received on many fronts. Residents, politicians, and environmental activists have been battling for over twelve years to keep the hazardous waste wells from opening. As we reported in the last FTGU (“Toxic Treats in Romulus? Courts Clear Path, EDS Awaits Final Operating License,”Oct./Nov. 2004), time and options were running out.

While few expect EDS to walk away from theirmulti-million dollar facility, the move by the DEQ at least buys well opponents some time.

“I applaud the Granholm Administration for leaving no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people of Romulus and Taylor,” said Congressman John D. Dingell in a press release.

“The DEQ should be commended for doing their job, for doing the people’s work,” State Senator Ray Basham (D-Taylor), a longtime leader in the fight against the hazardous waste wells, told the press. “I’m delighted.”

“The location of the EDS site near Detroit Metro airport has frequently raised questions about how the waste would be transported to and stored at the facility,” said Ecology Center Wayne County Organizer Brad Van Guilder. “The EDS plan included the storage of material in rail tankers along the Norfolk Southern rail line that passes the airport. Given the potential for serious rail accidents involving chemicals and wastes such as recently occurred in Graniteville, South Carolina, the DEQ was wise to hold EDS to a high standard for safety in the construction of its rail transportation plans.”

While few expect EDS to walk away from their multi-million dollar facility, the move by the DEQ at least buys well opponents some time. One hope is that another business battling EDS for use of the same underground sandstone layer will prevail (see “Well Wars in Romulus: EDS Trips Sun Pipeline in Race to Mount Simon,” FTGU, Aug./Sept. 2004). The dispute is currently in the courts.

Ted Sylvester is editor of From the Ground Up.

BACK TO TOP