State Rep. Jamie Thompson, of Brownstown, today expressed serious concerns for communities and families she represents in Wayne County following another hastily reported, large-scale waste dump that has been planned for a site in Belleville.

“It’s time to stop treating Wayne County as America’s dumping ground,” Thompson said. “Once again, the state is sitting by as massive amounts of the most toxic substances known to man are being brought to Michigan and dumped in our backyard with zero consideration for our environment and the people living here.

“The status quo is not working for people in our communities.”

The disposal site will take roughly 25 semitrucks worth of elevated radioactive waste per week until January, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The waste originates from a site in New York that was used during the making of the atomic bomb through the Manhattan Project.

Unfortunately, this is only the latest example of the Whitmer Administration prioritizing toxic waste disposal over the well-being of Michigan residents.

In 2020, the Whitmer Administration ignored public opposition and approved a sevenfold increase in the amount of toxic waste that can be received by a facility in Detroit. In 2023, outrage erupted across Downriver communities when hazardous materials from a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio was transported to Michigan and disposed of at the site without notification to local officials or citizens. Thompson, along with numerous local officials, pushed back on this move given the lack of transparency, and even called on the department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment to not renew the operating permits for the waste facility.

The department ignored those calls and renewed the operating permits for the next 10 years.

“The residents of Wayne County have made themselves clear; They do not want to be America’s dumping ground. Unfortunately for them, Democrats in Lansing are choosing cash for trash over protecting our residents and environment,” Thompson said. “Our communities in Wayne County deserve better.”