The Michigan House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation began hearings last week on a series of bills which, if passed, will be the first significant modification to Michigan Solid Waste Management Rules in many years. These Rules are far-reaching, cover all aspects of the waste disposal and recycling process in Michigan. There has been a desire to modify these rules to encourage recycling and discourage landfilling waste for serval years but the broad nature of the rules has produced many obstacles.
Northville Township and The Conservancy Initiative have tracked the rulemaking process very closely and attempted to influence legislators as much as possible. Our interest is the section of the rules which deals with siting and approving a new or expanded landfill. Currently, the host county (Washtenaw County) has all the authority for siting a new landfill in Salem Township. The proposed rules include a small change that will allow a resident from an adjacent community (i.e. - Northville) to be added to the waste planning committee for the host county (i.e. - Washtenaw County). This is helpful, but we are hoping for more.
On Tuesday, June 9th, Mr. Robert Nix, Northville Township Supervisor, testified before the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Committee in Lansing and explained that more must be done to protect the property rights of homeowners located near a proposed landfill expansion or new landfill. Mr. Nix is a very familiar face to many on the committee as he has been raising these issues for several years. He shared with the committee that there are more than a dozen landfills in Michigan which present a similar issue to the Salem Township landfill as they are located near the county line. Mr. Nix suggested the following language be added to the House Bill.
Expansion of existing solid waste facilities and new solid waste facilities shall not be located within 2 miles of the border of an adjacent municipality without the consent of the adjacent municipality through a resolution of their elected governing body
This is not a veto authority, but it does protect the property rights of a homeowner living in an adjacent municipality within 2 miles of a landfill expansion, by requiring approval from the adjacent community. Accommodations may be possible in many instances. The committee promised more discussions.
The Conservancy Initiative would like to thank Supervisor Robert Nix and his team that supported him putting his testimony together, Treasurer Fred Shadko and Trustee Chris Roosen. We would also like to thank State Representative Matt Koleszar and State Senator Danya Polehanki for helping make the testimony a success.
Supervisor Nix’s presentation is linked as well as letters of support which were provided from The Conservancy Initiative and The City of Northville. We are also linking a video (discussion of Northville begins at 30-minute mark; Mr. Nix’s testimony begins at 37-minute mark) of today’s testimony.