Over 250 frustrated Dearborn residents attend a public hearing on Wednesday. DEARBORN — More than 250 people attended a public hearing Wednesday, Mar. 19 at Henry Ford Community College’s Michigan Technical Education Center regarding proposed changes to Severstal’s factory in Dearborn.

The steel company’s facility is located in the city’s South End. Residents of the area spoke at the hearing, expressing frustration over the possibility that the changes could increase pollutants. 

According to a report, the changes would revise a 2006 emissions permit and approve releasing more than 725 times more lead into the air from one portion of Severstal’s plant.

“To increase it is insanity, why don’t they buy out the people who want to live, alright? I don’t want to be a statistic. I want to have a garden. I want to go out there and lay on the grass without shaking the bushes there to get the white powder to fall…We are no different than southwest Detroit who got bought out by the oil refinery. I itch, my eyes water,” said Patricia Guziak, a South End resident. 

Before the hearing, an informational session was held featuring several representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. 

DEQ held the hearing as required by state and federal regulations to allow everyone the opportunity to comment on the draft permit conditions and proposed project. 

Environmental lawyers also met with residents privately to outline plans aimed at contesting the permit. 

A 100-page copy of the permit to install the changes was distributed at the hearing.

One environmental lawyer said conditions in the permit backtrack some of Severstal’s prior commitments to limiting pollution, and are fundamentally contrary to the Clean Air Act.

Jorge Martinez has been living in the South End for 16 years and hopes the permit isn’t approved.

“The smell, the dust, white powder and noise, everything bothers us,” Martinez said. 

He says some residents have experienced respiratory problems over the years because of the hazardous fumes. 

There are other companies located in the South End that have contributed to the pollution, including Ford Motor Company’s factory, but Severstal has been called one of the biggest polluters in metro Detroit. 

Some in favor of approving the permit said it wasn’t fair those companies weren’t mentioned.

“There is not going to be any increase in pollutants from Severstal. There may be an increase in pollutants from several other folks, because there are at least 20 other sources of pollutants in and around southwest Detroit, and Dearborn, but there is not going to be an increase in pollution from Severstal,” said William Noakes, the director of government relations for Severstal.

“We’ve been in a rigorous test mode throughout the last few years, and now we know exactly what amount of pollutants come out and what doesn’t, but overall the level of pollution from Severstal is going to be significantly reduced from what it was in 2004, 2005, 2006, so we are actually talking about a decrease in pollution.” 

Since 2008, the DEQ Air Quality Division has issued 37 violation notices to Severstal as a result of citizen complaint investigations, inspections, visible emissions monitoring and stack testing. The AQD Detroit District Office referred the company for escalated enforcement action in July 2010. 

On Monday, representatives from Severstal also met with concerned residents at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn to discuss the changes. 

Merwan Beydoun, who is a member of Severstal’s UAW group, says not passing the permit would threaten several potential jobs. 

Other supporters of the permit who spoke at the meeting said Severstal has given back to the community by donating to local organizations, and building a playground for children. 

One primary concern many residents shared was over the pollution putting the health of children at risk.  Michigan State Rep. Rashida Tlaib also spoke at the hearing, and has been advocating on behalf of residents impacted by pollution in metro Detroit for years. 

“You can’t even enjoy being outside because of all the noise and fumes. Why do they put these things next to where people live? The problem is none of the big shots live over there,” Martinez said.

Approval for the permit is still pending, and it could be passed within the next few months. Comments made at the hearing will be taken into consideration during the decision making process. Public comments are being accepted until Mar. 31. To make a comment, call Katie Koster with DEQ’s Air Quality Division, Detroit Field Office at 313.456 .4678.