Fieger joins protest over waste storage
February 17, 2001

Opponents of a planned hazardous waste well in Romulus have enlisted attorney Geoffrey Fieger.

The Southfield lawyer addressed a demonstration Friday at Romulus City Hall, the third such protest opposing the well in the past month.

"You've heard of the Boston Tea Party," said Fieger. "This is the Rumble in Romulus."

Flanked by a group of area lawmakers, Fieger blasted the state's plan to grant permits to Birmingham-based Environmental Disposal Systems, which would build the well just east of Metro Airport. He said the decision is an example of the state's failure to protect the environment and its residents.

He said he's studying the possibility of filing a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of residents against the state for ignoring due process in granting the permits.

The company's president, Douglas Wicklund, did not return phone calls Friday, but has said the proposed well poses no threat to residents.

A state committee, the Site Review Board, voted last year to deny permits to the company, saying that the well site was in a heavy traffic area.

But later, the head of the state Department of Environmental Quality, Russ Harding, overrode the committee.

Before 1991, decisions of the Site Review Board were final. But the law was changed during the administration of Gov. John Engler to make committee decisions merely advisory.

Protesters said Friday that campaign contributions to Engler by those with a financial stake in the project influenced the state's decision. Wicklund has said he may have donated money to Engler, but was unsure of the amount.

The past two protests were held in front of Wicklund's home and Engler's mansion.