The Riverview landfill, located at 20863 Grange Rd., made national news in 1992 after being featured in a segment on ABC's 20/20.
The segment, titled "The Town that Loves Garbage," discussed the town's financial success being attributed to the landfill's acceptance of trash of other towns for a "small fee."
Now, the landfill has submitted an application to expand and residents are not happy.
The Wayne County Department of Public Services issued notices to residents living within 300 feet of the landfill stating that an application for a proposed expansion has been submitted.
The application deems the expansion necessary, stating that once the landfill reaches its capacity, Riverview will lose a considerable amount of income, which would increase tax rates for residents or cause a "severe reduction" in services including utilities, public safety, libraries and roads.
Riverview resident Stephanie Pinage said local residents are furious.
"The truck traffic has destroyed our roads and the odor from the landfill is obnoxious," she said. "Members of the community worry about the health of our families."
Darrin Camilleri, state representative for the 23rd district, sent a letter to the Wayne County Facility Inclusion Committee expressing his opposition to the expansion, saying the landfill already causes a "significant burden" for residents who live near the landfill.
"I stand with the number of my constituents in the Downriver area who oppose the landfill's expansion, and I hope you will take these concerns into account as you consider potential approval of the project," he said.
Residents have created a petitionto oppose the expansion, which has 442 supporters as of 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Facility Inclusion Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the application. Written comments on the proposal will be accepted until August 30 at pcullen@waynecounty.com.
