DEARBORN – Residents living in the city’s South End neighborhood are being urged to attend a informational session and public hearing that has been scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 19 in rooms 122 and 126 inside Henry Ford Community College’s M-Tech building.  The gathering will take place at 6 p.m. and the public comment period will follow at 7 p.m. 

The meetings concern proposed changes to the Severstal Dearborn facility located at 4001 Miller Road. Severstal is one of the world’s leading integrated steel and steel-related mining companies.  

A letter dated Feb. 12 sent to residents and others, including representatives from environmental agencies, references a permit to install proposed changes to the allowed emissions from the B and C Blast Furnance Operation and other associated equipment, as well as the addition of a low nitrogen oxide control for the B stoves. 

After resolving any issues raised during the public comment period and hearing, a final decision will be made on the permit application.  

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced the public comment period as required by state and federal regulations. 

Mohammed Ahmed, who has lived in the South End for decades says he is worried the changes could increase pollution in the area. 

“I always fight for the kids. My concern is the kids in that area. We have too many there,” Ahmed said.  Concerns about pollution in the city’s South End aren’t new.  For years, residents have complained about inhaling hazardous fumes from the Ford and Severstal factories. 

Ahmed says in 2006 a suit was filed against Severstal, and part of the settlement included addressing the pollution caused by the factory. He says things have improved since then, but now he’s afraid the newly proposed changes could put the health of residents at risk.