Dave Camp: “as a strong supporter and cosponsor of the International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act, I am pleased that…”

“as a strong supporter and cosponsor of the International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act, I am pleased that the House of Representatives will soon vote on this important bill. My home State of Michigan continues to be on the receiving end of millions of tons of imports of Canadian trash. According to data from the Congressional Research Service, in 2004 nearly two-thirds of Michigan's total waste imports, about 2.8 million tons, came from the Canadian province of Ontario. In response to this growing problem, H.R. 2491 provides States the authority to enact laws or regulations to limit the transportation and disposal of foreign municipal solid waste. Residents in Michigan have long sought a legally binding and enforceable solution that stops the flow of Canadian trash into the State. For too many years Michigan has been a dumping ground for waste coming in from Canada. When the city of Toronto closed its landfill in 2002, the city sent its trash to Michigan instead of building a new landfill or transporting it to another Canadian location. Toronto's actions compounded the trash flow problem in Michigan and further incensed the State's residents who consider this issue an environmental concern, a transportation problem, and a public health worry. The State of Michigan and other States should have the authority to protect its citizens.…”