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The sun shined today when 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 massive landfill. The announcement was made at the Northville Township Community Park Pavilion near 5 Mile and Beck with the landfill as a backdrop. In addition to Dana Nesel, Representative Matt Koleszar, Senator Dana Polehanki, Township Supervisor Bob Nix, Conservancy Initiative President Ralph Lassel, and Ridge Wood Elementary Parent Monya Ibrahim gave short speeches at the event. Attendance at the event was kept to a minimum due to COVID restrictions.
Attorney General Dana Nessel
Ridge Wood Elementary School Parent Monya Ibrahim
Northville Township Supervisor Bob Nix
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 the EGLE’s compliance plan can begin, there is a chance these matters can drag on with a formal court trial.
Senator Danya Polehanki
Representative Matt Koleszar
The Conservancy Initiative President Ralph Lassel
The Conservancy Initiative will have many more details to share once we have thoroughly reviewed the lawsuit and discussed it with EGLE.
There are many people to thank today. First are all the residents who have made contributions and/or simply submitted odor complaints. Township Supervisor, Bob Nix, Treasurer, Fred Shadko for their leadership on the landfill working group and their efforts in Lansing on proposed landfill legislative. Representative Matt Koleszar and Senator Danya Polehanki for keeping the Arbor Hills Landfill in the spotlight with EGLE and the Attorney General. The staff of EGLE in the Jackson District Office for the many hours they have spent at the landfill and continuing to listen to our complaints.