Michigan dems propose out-of-state-waste restrictions.

Michigan House Democrats have announced a plan to reduce the flow of trash surging into the state from Canada and elsewhere.

The proposed plan would hit waste companies with the nation's highest dumping charge, revoke certification for a year if out-of-state jurisdictions dispose of banned and dangerous items, strengthen enforcement and ban landfill expansions until 2010.

"We need to strengthen our current laws and keep fighting until we stop the flow of garbage into Michigan from Canada and elsewhere," Rep. Kathleen Law (D-Gibraltar), says.

Michigan is the third largest U.S. importer of trash behind Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Under the plan, companies would pay $7.50 per ton of solid waste entering landfills.

Out-of-state jurisdictions that send banned items, such as car batteries and motor oil, to a Michigan landfill three times in a year would have their certification revoked. Those caught sending dangerous items, such as radioactive medical waste and blood, would be banned from dumping in Michigan for a year.

The plan also would seek to extend the ban on landfill expansion that is set to end Jan. 1, 2006, by four years.

Additionally, the plan would seek to apply tougher and more flexible enforcement by establishing non-criminal civil infractions for solid waste violations, calling for civil fines of up to $5,000 for most transport and disposal violations, with a fine of $10,000 for repeat offenders. Those who knowingly deliver or dispose returnable containers or tires would face a fine of up to $500.

With more than 20 million tons of solid waste entering Michigan landfills in 2003, the $7.50-per-ton fee is expected to generate $130 million to $150 million yearly.