Kaleigh Harrison
Recently, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) turned down a plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand a toxic waste disposal site on Chicago’s Southeast Side. According to a federal court filing, this expansion goes against Illinois state law, which prohibits new landfills or expansions in Cook County. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined in opposing the project, making it even harder for federal efforts to add one million cubic yards of capacity to the site over the next 20 years.
This 45-acre facility has been storing toxic sediment from the Calumet River since 1984. It contains harmful substances like mercury, arsenic, and PCBs. Initially, there were plans to turn this site into parkland once it reached full capacity. Now, it still sits under federal control, continuously affecting the predominantly Black and Latino community around it. This area already struggles with serious environmental issues, including high rates of asthma and cancer linked to local industrial activities, alongside some of the poorest air quality in Chicago.
The Army Corps insists that expanding this facility is vital for keeping commercial shipping routes open between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin. They argue it supports urban growth and economic activities. On the other hand, the Illinois EPA has suggested looking into other options, such as using licensed landfills or repurposing dredged materials for habitat projects and construction. Environmental groups, including the Environmental Law and Policy Center, believe that the Army Corps did not consider other possible sites and overlooked risks posed by climate change, like stronger storms and shifting lake levels.
Recent legal developments, like a Supreme Court decision that limits the power of federal agencies, could strengthen the case against the site’s expansion. As interest in environmental rules and corporate responsibility grows, community organizations are advocating for the transformation of this land into parkland, aligning with broader aims for sustainable urban development and environmental justice.
Check out this related article: How the Environment Committee is Tackling Climate Change and PFAS: Key Strategies for a Sustainable Future
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