Waiting for Congress to act will take too long, representative says
LANSING - State Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today encouraged House legislators to work together to curb the flow of trash from Canada and other states into Michigan.
His appeal came after Democratic amendments to Republican anti-trash bills were defeated today.
"The goal is to stem the flow of trash from Canada and other states into Michigan, and we can all work together to make that happen," Sheltrown said. "The people of this state take great pride in its natural beauty, and they don't want anything - like tons of trash trucked in every day - to jeopardize that. Let's put a stop to it."
Sheltrown backed a series of amendments to a plan that lets Michigan ban Canadian trash only if and when Congress passes federal laws allowing it. The amendments were defeated.
The amendments reflected bills introduced in May. In one amendment, Michigan's dumping charge would increase from 21 cents a ton to $7.50 if Congress hasn't passed federal anti-trash bills by Nov. 1. Michigan's current dumping charge is the lowest in the region. The amendments also would ban new landfills until 2010, toughen punishment of those who violate Michigan landfill laws and make enforcement easier.
In 2004, Canada and other states sent more than 6 million tons of trash to Michigan - 17 percent more than in 2003, the Department of Environmental Quality reported. For more information, please go to www.trash-o-meter-com.