News

LANSING – State Rep. Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) today welcomed the recent announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 to halt the depositing of PCB laden sediment in the Allied Paper disposal area in Kalamazoo.  "This is a great day for the Kalamazoo community.  The citizens spoke with one voice, through several meetings, marches and rallies, in their opposition to the use of the Allied Paper site and through this united effort, brought an end to the current plan," said Jones.

Rep. Jones has been working with federal, state and local officials and the Michigan Department of Environment Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency to find another safer alternative to the use of the Allied Paper site.  "The health and safety of our citizens were at risk with the existence of these containments in a residential area, not far from elementary schools and a nursing home," explained Jones.  "I am pleased to see the officials from Georgia-Pacific and Millennium Holdings come to an agreement with the EPA for a new disposal site for 2007."

The original plan called for approximately 132,000 cubic yards of the contaminated material to be deposited at Allied Paper site during 2007-2008.   The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to solicit public input concerning the site to be used for 2008.  Jones cautioned that, "We must continue to make our views known.  It is not only our right, but our duty as citizens to participate in our democratic form of government. We have shown how effective our participation can be and we must continue our efforts to restore this area so that it may be a valuable part of the Kalamazoo community forever."