Court Blocks Dumping of Atomic Bomb-Era Waste in Wayne County

In a significant legal victory for local communities, a Michigan court has issued a preliminary injunction that expands a previous temporary restraining order, effectively blocking the dumping of radioactive waste at a facility in Wayne County.

The legal battle began in 2024 over radioactive soil currently located in New York state, dating back to the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. The lawsuit was brought by several local governments, including Van Buren Township, Belleville, Canton Township, Romulus, and Wayne County.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has now confirmed that the waste will be shipped to another state, though the exact destination has not been disclosed. The new court order from Michigan's Third Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox goes beyond the initial restraining order, prohibiting any radioactive waste from any location in the country from being transported to the Wayne Disposal Inc. site.

"We stood strong with our community allies speaking collectively with one voice that we do not want this type of waste in our community," said Van Buren Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara. "By doing so, we sent a statement to our lawmakers that has triggered legislation providing further protection against receiving radioactive waste that is pending in the state legislature."

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been managing the removal of the low-level radioactive soil from Lewiston, New York, a legacy of the Manhattan Project. About 6,000 cubic yards were expected to be transported to Michigan, but this plan has now been halted.