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PAGE 4 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN March 9, 2023

ROMULUS
ROMULUS

County demands improved rail safety, communication

Wayne County Commission authorized by the Michigan review of safety and notification
Chair Alisha Bell and her fellow Department of Environment, ” measures at Republic's Van Buren
commissioners are calling on fed- Great Lakes and Energy, along This isn't a political issue, and Romulus facilities and any
eral officials to enact rail safety with the U.S. Environment it's a public safety issue. other Wayne County landfill oper-
and improve communication with Protection Agency (EPA), to ations.”
local officials following the recent receive diluted toxic waste in both Bell also noted that federal offi-
train derailments in Ohio. liquid and solid forms at its cials must enact new safety rules
Wayne County Executive Romulus Injection Well Facility. from the derailment has been Haidous (D-Wayne), whose for trains carrying toxic materials.
Warren Evans' office received Two days earlier, on Feb. 22, halted from coming into our coun- District 11 communities include “This isn't a political issue, it's a
information that Norfolk Republic Services had been ty, but more must be done to pre- Romulus and Van Buren public safety issue,” she said.
Southern was transporting haz- authorized to receive solid toxic vent something like this from ever Township. An inquiry is expected to be
ardous waste resulting from the waste at the Van Buren Township happening again,” Bell said. “As a “This is a safety issue for made involving the EPA,
East Palenstine Ohio derailment facility. county commission, we will do Wayne County residents and one Department of Transportation,
for disposal in both Romulus and Following criticism of the lack everything in our power to make that cannot be compromised by state of Ohio and all others
Van Buren Township in Wayne of communication on the process, sure safety measures are in place any means,” Haidous said. involved in derailment determin-
County after the waste had the EPA halted shipments of toxic to protect our residents.” “We were extremely disap- ing how waste disposal will be
already arrived at the sites. waste to the Wayne County sites “It is disappointing that there pointed that plans had been made handled, according to a prepared
The administration learned Friday, Feb. 24. was no knowledge of this happen- and carried out,” Bell said. statement from the entire board of
that Republic Services had been “I am pleased that toxic waste ing,” said Commissioner Al “Moving forward, we will ask for a commissioners.

Update

FROM PAGE 1

tices. There has to be clear
oversight and inspection
processes that hold companies
accountable to the citizen's safe-
ty, these should not be self-
reporting processes," said
McCraight. "We have to serious-
ly consider if Michigan and the
world's largest supply of fresh
water is the best location for an
injection well."
This week State Sen. Darrin
Camilleri took the first step and
secured an additional $500,000
toward increased oversight and
inspections at the Romulus well
location. Republic has shared PFAS chemicals), vinyl chlo- al were delivered to the deep were grateful to the officials Congresswoman Debbie
the following information in ride and water well facility and organizations that quickly Dingell;, U.S. Congresswoman
regard to the shipments: • Upon arrival at Romulus • Truck route consisted of I-94 and actively supported the city Rashida Tlaib; Romulus City
• At derailment site liquids are deep well the material is to Middlebelt Exit; south on in an effort to halt further ship- Council members; Huron
extracted and screened screened and tested to con- Middlebelt to Wick Road; ments of waste to the Romulus Township Supervisor David
• Following the screening firm disposal requirements east on Wick Road to Inkster site and into the State of Glaab; City of Taylor Mayor Tim
process disposal options are • Once confirmed waste mate- Road; north on Inkster Road Michigan. Wooley; Conference of Western
determined rial is safely disposed into to Citron Drive until arrival Support came from Wayne Wayne; Downriver Community
• Romulus deep well is select- the deep well at the facility County CEO Warren Evans, Conference members and the
ed as best option for disposal • Approximately 300,000 gal- • EGLE inspects this facility Camilleri; State Reps. Reggie Wayne County Emergency
• Material consists of AFFF lons were safely disposed on a quarterly basis Miller, Dylan Wegela, and Management and Homeland
(fire-fighting foam which has • Over 60 truckloads of materi- Romulus officials said they James DeSana;, U.S. Security office.