The Conservancy Initiative is asking our Representatives to consider sponsoring legislation to impose a tax or tariff on all trash imported from Canada. If you agree, please use the links at the end of this post to tell our Senators and Representatives you support a tariff on all trash imported from Canada.
The Conservancy Initiative received 100 odor complaints in the first 25 days of January. Most of the odors were reported on six horrific days when the wind blew toward Northville and correlated closely with elevated methane (CH4) concentrations detected by the landfill's emission detection systems. Notably, these odors occurred on some of the year's coldest days, when no residents had open windows and few ventured outside.
Landfill odors have returned to the neighborhoods downwind of the landfill. The Conservancy Initiative has received 63 odor complaints over the first 16 days of January. The odor complaints correlate well with the landfill’s perimeter monitoring station data. When the monitoring stations detected elevated levels of Methane (CH4), community odor complaints were received. Very few complaints are received when CH4 concentrations are below 10 ppm. The odor complaints are valid.
Below is a video presentation with audio that explains some of the reasons we are opposed to the New Landfill in Washtenaw County. In this video, we try to focus on who will benefit from a new landfill. We will be using our Facebook page to share videos like this with groups we are targeting to influence in Washtenaw County.
On November 6, 2024, GFL requested that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) conduct an Advisory Analysis for a new landfill proposed on the composting facility property, which is located immediately north of the existing Arbor Hills Landfill. This Advisory Analysis is the first step in identifying and obtaining the necessary permits to construct and operate a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (Type II Landfill) on the site. It will identify the required permits for landfill construction.
There were 200 – 250 or more who showed up to show they opposed a proposed new landfill in Salem Township. There would have been more, but parking at Northville Township Offices was limited. We apologize to those who missed the event due to the limited parking. The Conservancy Initiative and the leadership of Northville greatly appreciate all who attended on Monday night.
Our Town Hall is timely as we recently confirmed that Green for Life (GFL) has started the process of obtaining permits for a new landfill. We learned GFL requested EGLE to complete an Advisory Analysis of property on the Northwest corner of Napier and Six Mile Roads.
There are many reasons to deny permission for a new landfill in Salem Township, but the strongest argument may be that Washtenaw County does not need a landfill. Most of Washtenaw County’s trash is currently disposed of at the Woodland Meadows landfill, which has 25 - 30 years of capacity remaining.
The Washtenaw County Material Management Planning (MMP) Committee held its inaugural meeting on December 14th. This committee is tasked with identifying strategies to enhance waste recycling to meet statewide recycling goals, including deciding whether a new landfill will be needed when Arbor Hills shuts down in 5 years
The first meeting of the Washtenaw County Material Management Planning (MMP) committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 14th at 10 AM at the Washtenaw County Learning and Resource Center (4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48108). This committee is responsible for identifying strategies to improve waste recycling and the need for additional landfill capacity. The MMP committee is our best chance to deny the proposed new landfill north of Arbor Hills.
On November 6, 2024, EGLE's Water Resource Division (WRD) issued a Violation Notice to the Arbor Hills Landfill for failing to maintain adequate measures to prevent erosion and sediment discharge into Johnson Creek. The non-compliant conditions have persisted since at least 2019, when a similar violation notice was issued, and has never been resolved.
At a recent Salem Township Board of Trustees meeting (September 10, 2024 around the 11:00 mark), the discussion centered around a proposed new landfill north of Six Mile Road. Dave Segert, the General Manager of GFL's Arbor Hills Landfill, mentioned that the existing landfill has the capacity to operate for five more years. He also confirmed that GFL has acquired property north of the current landfill. Segert pointed out that the approval process for the new landfill could take five years, placing them in a challenging situation.
Join us on December 9 at 7:00 PM at the Northville Township Administrative Offices (located at 44405 Six Mile Road) for an important Community Town Hall meeting. We will discuss GFL’s plans to construct a new landfill just north of the existing Arbor Hills Landfill. The Conservancy Initiative will host the Town Hall, and community leaders and elected officials have been invited to participate.
The Washtenaw County MMP committee will be the primary decision maker in deciding whether a new landfill will be built on the site. The first meeting of the MMP committee will be held on November 14th at 10 AM at the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center (4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (mark your calendar). The meetings will be open to the public and Northville residents are encouraged to attend and comment respectfully.
Odors from the Arbor Hills Landfill are increasing, and little is being done. The Conservancy Initiative believes the perimeter monitors located on the eastern border of the Arbor Hills landfill should be used as the basis for violations and penalties. Polluters must be held responsible; Green for Life must not be rewarded with permission to build a new landfill adjacent to the problematic Arbor Hills Landfill. NO NEW LANDFILL.