from Rashida Tlaib

TAKE ACTION:  STOP DANGEROUS HAZMAT FROM CROSSING THE BRIDGE
 
Dear Neighbors and Advocates,
 
The Detroit International Bridge Company, also known as the Ambassador Bridge, has requested that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) allow them to transport hazardous material, or "hazmat" across the bridge.  Hazmat includes:
·        harmful chemicals that impact public health, safety and environment
·        explosives, gases, flammable substances, or poisonous materials and more
·        materials that can cause many severe illnesses, such as cancer or radiation poisoning, and in some cases even birth defects or developmental defects in children.
 
Comments on the MDOT Hazmat Report s are due by January 31, 2013. Please note that I have requested that MDOT translate the Hazardous Material Routing Report into Spanish, hold a public hearing on the report, extend their comment period to accommodate our diverse community, and recognize the need to take oral comments via a public hearing.  Hopefully, MDOT will honor these requests.  I will let you know.
 
In the meantime, I am urging residents, local businesses, stakeholders, and any concerned advocates to please submit comments as soon as possible.  Please feel free to use the concerns listed below in drafting your comments.
 
MDOT’s Hazardous Material Routing Synopsis Report:  http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9621_11058-291617--,00.html 
 
 
Facts/Concerns:
·        Given the age and security requirements of the Ambassador Bridge, opening it up for transport of dangerous hazmat, as the Report suggests, endangers the public. The most recent inspection of the Ambassador Bridge released by Congressman Dingell (with strong opposition by the owners) revealed serious repairs needed to the structure.
 
·        Years ago, the Ambassador Bridge Company made a unilateral decision to allow the transport of hazmat without the proper permissions from federal, state, and local governments. The lack of transparency in its operation has caused distrust between the local community and the Ambassador Bridge Company.
 
·        MDOT’s recommendation is flawed because the analysis DOES NOT include the Detroit Windsor Truck Ferry, which is one of the routes used for hazmat and is inspected twice a year in both Michigan and Canada. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED  LIST OF WHY THE REPORT IS INCOMPLETE AND FLAWED (thank you Gregg Ward for the information!).
 
·        The Ambassador Bridge is a privately owned international crossing that currently prohibits access to local law enforcement and state police, thereby making it very difficult to enforce the requirements for escorting.
 
·        The Ambassador Bridge openly opposes any inspections of their bridge becoming public, including sharing the information with the public and governmental entities.
 
·        There are three schools and two public parks near the Ambassador Bridge and plaza, which would put children at risk of being exposed to hazmat material. 
 
·        Given the densely populated Southwest Detroit neighborhood, 40% of which are children, near the opening of the bridge and the freeway entrances and exits, should compel MDOT to heed the concerns of stakeholders before granting permission to the Ambassador Bridge.
 
·        MDOT must consider that Detroit’s Homeland Security Department lacks the capacity to address emergency response involving the expansion of hazmat material transport. 
 
·        The increased exposure to public safety and health is not outweighed by the need to remove the restrictions of hazmat transport across the Ambassador Bridge. 
 
·        It is important to ensure that our state, city and our federal authorities continue to protect and preserve our international waterway, our Detroit River, a federally designated Heritage River, from any potential hazmat spill. 
 
·        It is imperative that the busiest border crossing in North America is protected from any possible closures, interruptions, and damage due to a hazmat spill or accident.  We have a responsibility to protect our country from negative impacts to trade and commerce.   
 
Please send your comments to:
Robert H. Parsons, Public Involvement and Hearings Officer
Michigan Department of Transportation
PO BOX 30050
Lansing, MI 48909
Via e-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Via Fax:  (517) 373-9255
 
Thank you for your advocacy on this very important issue.  Please contact me if you have any questions, my Detroit office phone is (313) 841-2240 or my Lansing office phone is (517) 373-0823.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Rashida Tlaib
State Representative
6th District