Statement of Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Markup of H.R. 2491, the “International Solid Waste
Importation and Management Act of 2005,”
H.R. 1065, the “United States Boxing Commission Act,”
And H.R. ____, the “Drug Free Sports Act”

June 29, 2005

Mr. Chairman, thank you for scheduling this markup today. I will focus my remarks on a bill that is very important to the people of Michigan.

H.R. 2491, the “International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act of 2005," was reported by voice vote by the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials on June 8, 2005. It contains important provisions to implement and enforce the bilateral U.S.-Canadian Agreement concerning the transboundary movement of hazardous waste between our countries.

The legislation provides criteria to insure that in implementing the “notice and consent” provisions of the bilateral U.S.-Canadian Agreement the views of the affected State and local governments are properly taken into account. Necessary statutory enforcement authority is also added.

In 1992, the U.S. and Canada agreed that the “notice and consent” provisions of this bilateral agreement should also apply to municipal solid waste. But neither Administration since then has made any effort to implement the bilateral agreement. And enforcement legislation promised “soon” by the present Administration almost two years ago has yet to arrive.

According to the most recent information for Fiscal Year 2004, the largest source of waste imports into Michigan continues to be from Canada, with total reported imports to landfills of more than eleven million cubic yards. That is a 23 percent increase from FY2003. Even more disturbing is that since 1996, when Michigan began collecting data, the amount of Canadian waste being disposed of in Michigan has risen by 335 percent. Essentially, the City of Toronto is using Michigan and Detroit as its dumping ground.

The more than 400 trucks of waste that cross the bridge every day from Canada into Michigan are more than just a nuisance. These trucks and their cargo pose an environmental risk, are a detriment to our roads, a possible security risk, and, as we heard at the July 2003 hearing, a potential health hazard.

 The bill would ensure that the U.S.-Canadian Agreement is properly implemented and enforced. It would also give Michigan and other states more authority to regulate foreign waste until the Environmental Protection Agency’s final regulations to implement and enforce the Agreement become effective. I am pleased we were able to agree on language clarifying that any laws or regulations enacted or issued during this time period may stay in effect beyond the date that the Federal regulations become effective.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, along with Subcommittee Chairman Gillmor and Ranking Member Solis for your work on moving this bill forward.

In addition, the Committee will consider two bills designed to bring integrity back to sports – one addressing steroids, and the other addressing boxing. I commend the efforts of my colleagues. I have reservations, however, that merely creating Federal regimes will not solve all the problems. This Committee must continue oversight to ensure that the goals of these bills are, in fact, realized.

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(Contact: Jodi Seth, 202-225-3641)