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Our Mission
Improve the environment by working with neighbors, government entities, area businesses and community leaders to create a clean and safe place to live and work
View the video of the Attorney General’s Presentation
Dana Nessel - “… either they come into compliance or they are going to have to shutdown…”
The Conservancy Initiative Areas of Concern
Stop Landfill Expansion
The landfill is permitted to grow to a height of 400 feet and has reached approximately 350 feet as of 2020. Click Here for map of elevations. The latest available annual Report of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan (Table 10, page 23) estimates the remaining capacity at 7 - 8 years using 2019 data. The landfill owns the land directly north of the existing landfill and requested a permit to expand in 2016 before withdrawing their request due to community pressure. The Conservancy Initiative is preparing to oppose any requests to expand the landfill and needs the help of the community to stop any expansion. We continue to support Northville Township’s efforts to modify state regulations which would effectively block an expansion and we continue to educate community leaders to assist with our efforts to oppose any expansion.
Protect Johnson Creek
The landfill had applied for two permits which would allow the landfill leachate to be discharged into the areas only Cold Water Trout Stream, Johnson Creek. The Conservancy Initiative is pleased to report these controversial permit applications have been put on hold. We believe the landfill was surprised by the overwhelming opposition to these permit applications and has placed them “on hold” to avoid the permits being denied. The Conservancy Initiative continues to monitor the status of the permit applications as they can be reactivated by the landfill. The Johnson Creek discharge permits represent an operational cost savings for the landfill but pose a significant environmental risks to Johnson Creek. The Conservancy Initiative continues to actively work with community leaders and local media to organize an effective opposition to the landfill’s plans.
Landfill’s Controversial Johnson Creek Permit Applications are Put “On-Hold” - Aug 20
Northville Township Submits Comments Opposing Landfill Discharges to Johnson Creek - June 26
The Conservancy Initiative Submits Comments on Johnson Creek Permit Applications - June 23
Advanced Disposal Requests Permission to Pump Leachate to Johnson Creek - May 27
PFAS Contamination Found at the ADVANCED DISPOSAL Arbor Hills Landfill - April 2
Regulatory Non-Compliance
On October 23, 2020 the Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel announced her office had filed a lawsuit against Advanced Disposal Services (ADS), the owner and operator of the Arbor Hills Landfill, for failing to comply with State and Federal Regulations and endangering the public health, safety, and welfare of residents living in the shadow of the landfill. There are twelve (12) counts in the lawsuit which cite numerous violations, some of which occurred as recently as September 23, 2020. The twelve counts summarize the violation notices which have been issued over the past several years. The lawsuit specifies penalties of up to $10,000 per violation per day. The lawsuit is necessary as ADS has not been willing to voluntarily accept and implement the compliance plans and penalty proposed by EGLE. Although The Conservancy Initiative is hopeful the lawsuit will be quickly settled and implementation of EGLE’s compliance plan can begin, there is a chance these matters can be prolonged by a formal court trial.
Michigan Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Advanced Disposal Services Arbor Hills Landfill
PFAS Groundwater Contamination
PFAS contamination has been found in a shallow groundwater well at the Arbor Hills property line along Napier Road. Additionally, two stormwater ponds were contaminated with PFAS chemicals in fire suppression materials used during a 2016 fire. Advanced Disposal proposed discharging PFAS impacted stormwater which has been held on site since the 2016 fire to Johnson Creek after treatment. The Conservancy Initiative opposes the use of Johnson Creek to dispose of PFAS impacted materials, especially episodically generated material (i.e. - fire fighting residuals). The Conservancy Initiative has requested EGLE impose hard deadlines on the landfill for the remediation of the PFAS contamination. The Conservancy Initiative will continue to closely track any PFAS developments.
Letter to EGLE Regarding PFAS Contaminated Stormwater Ponds - November 30, 2020
Arbor Hills PFAS/PFOS Contaminated Stormwater Concern - September 13, 2020