Nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project, originally destined for a controversial Van Buren Township landfill, will now be transported to Texas, according to a spokesperson with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The decision marks a significant victory for Michigan residents and lawmakers who spent nearly a year fighting against the planned shipment at Wayne Disposal Inc., a hazardous waste landfill located along I-94.
Transportation of the radioactive material from the Niagara Falls storage site in Lewiston began July 14, with shipments now heading to the Waste Control Specialists facility in Andrews, Texas – approximately 350 miles west of Dallas.
Strategic Timing or Legal Concerns?
The Army Corps’ sudden change of direction comes as a federal judge was poised to rule on a lawsuit blocking the Michigan shipments.
“This is a tactic. This is a stunt,” said State Representative Reggie Miller, who has been instrumental in opposing the landfill plans. “I honestly think they are afraid of what the court ruling will be, and they are trying to minimize the damage here.”
This is what the Army Corps responded:
“After careful evaluation, the Corps of Engineers approved a contractor-proposed plan to ship material to Texas. This decision was made in the best interest of the project to keep Phase I remediation on schedule while ensuring areas covered in Phase I are safely and effectively remediated, setting the stage for Phases II and III to move forward as planned.”
Project Scope and Transportation Details
The complex removal operation involves up to 280,000 cubic yards of radioactive material, according to Brent Lasada, project manager for the Niagara Falls storage site.
“It’s a combination of trucking and rail,” Lasada explained. “The trucking outside, coming out of the site, looks identical to what it would have been going to Michigan. Just now, we’re going to a transload facility to load it via rail and take it to Texas.”
The first phase of the removal project is scheduled for completion in 2027, with estimated costs approaching $600 million.
Community Response
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans expressed relief at the decision.
“I am extremely relieved by the decision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ship the leftover radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project to another state, which means it will not be coming here to Wayne County,” he said in a statement.
Local advocacy group “Michigan Against Atomic Waste” remains cautiously optimistic.
“We wanted to take a victory lap, and then we started asking these questions about why these decisions are being made,” said Chris Donley, a member of the organization.
Ongoing Environmental Concerns
While the nuclear waste rerouting represents a win for local activists, Wayne Disposal’s proposed vertical expansion remains a concern for residents.
The landfill is currently seeking approval from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to increase its capacity and height.
The proposal is undergoing public comment review, with no decision announced yet.
Statement from Republic Services
“Wayne Disposal, Inc. (WDI) has not accepted any TENORM from the Niagara Falls Storage Site since September 2024, in compliance with the order issued by the Circuit Court. The litigation remains pending.
Additional questions about material from the Niagara Falls Storage Site should be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”