Mike Levin: “I am pleased that this supplemental appropriations bill contains language proposed by Senator Stabenow and myself that…”

“I am pleased that this supplemental appropriations bill contains language proposed by Senator Stabenow and myself that will increase security inspections of trucks hauling municipal solid waste into Michigan from Canada. At a time when we are increasing security measures at all levels to protect our citizens, it doesn't make sense to allow 130 to 140 truckloads of waste cross into Michigan every day from Canada without inspection. On January 1, 2003, the city of Toronto began shipping all of its municipal solid waste 1.1 million tons--to Michigan's landfills. As a result, thousands of truckloads of waste cross the Blue Water Bridge and the Ambassador Bridge and travel through the busiest parts of Metro Detroit without inspection. Even though Customs recently issued a memo announcing that it would increase security measures for municipal solid waste trucks, citing security concerns related to September 11, it reversed that decision on February 7, 2003, the same day that the Homeland Security national threat level was raised to level orange. Therefore, these trucks will continue to be treated as a low-risk commodity, which will allows these trucks carrying tons of municipal solid waste to cross the Michigan- Canadian border with minimal scrutiny. Our amendment, that has been included in this bill, will ensure that these trucks are inspected before they cross the Ambassador and Blue Water Bridges.”