What’s Happening:
Stoneco of Michigan has applied to mine a 400-acre site on both the north and south sides of Pleasant Lake Road. This is a large-scale operation for the township, with impact that will almost certainly be felt by township residents as well as anyone using Pleasant Lake Road or M-52. Note that Sharon Townhip recently allowed the expansion of an existing mining operation on M-52. However, residents are very concerned about the new mining operation’s size and scale proposed for Pleasant Lake Road. Click for proposed 400-acre mine infoClick for M-52 mining area info
How large-scale gravel mining
affects you
Aggregate mining can pose very serious consequences to a community by impacting the air, water (both quality and availability), noise, traffic and property values.
For more information, see “How Does the Gravel Pit Affect Me” at stopthegravelpit.com, a site prepared by concerned residents of Genoa Township.IMPACT ON GROUNDWATER
Gravel mining can open pathways of exposure for groundwater contamination and interrupt ground and surface water flow.
IMPACT ON AIR QUALITY
Poorly regulated gravel extraction can release polluting particulates such as crystalline silica dust (a health hazard which, when fine enough, can travel a mile or more when airborne) and diesel exhaust. More
IMPACT ON TRAFFIC SAFETY
The proposed Pleasant Lake Road mining operation will add 160 round trips per day to the M-52 corridor in the township. The expanded mine expansion on M-52 would add another 100 trucks per day. Traffic for the proposed mine on Pleasant Lake Road would create more than 20x more gravel trucks traveling on M-52 than there are today.
IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES
A 2006 study of residential property values in Richland Township (near Kalamazoo), conducted by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, showed a decline in property values based on proximity to a gravel mine there. Residences within 0.5 miles of that mine were expected to realize a 30% reduction in property value, while residences 3 miles away would realize a 5% reduction. The study authors believed these were conservative estimates. A 2019 study performed by Friends of the Platte River Watershed in Homestead and Inland Townships in Michigan, using similar methods, found property values near a proposed 150-acre mine would be depressed by nearly $14 million.
If the same methodology was applied to Sharon Township, the areas surrounding the Pleasant Lake Rd site would show the decline in property values shown here.
Original The Upjohn Study on property loss in proximity to aggregate mining considered its loss estimates to be “conservative”.
IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
Aggregate mining damages soil and a poorly-reclaimed operation leaves a blight on the landscape.
IMPACT FROM NOISE
Rock crushers, truck loading and truck traffic can create noise, both intermittent and continuous, over periods of time.
Click for video of rock crushing operationWHAT YOU CAN DO LOCALLY
Stay in contact with the Sharon Township Planning Commission or Board of Trustees. Visit the Sharon Township website, send a letter or drop by during their offices hours on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The phone number for the Sharon Township Office is 734-428-7591.
SIGN OUR PETITION: Let our Township Officials Know Your ConcernsCONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
State Representative
Carrie Rheingans517-373-8835CarrieRheingans@house.mi.gov
State Senator Sue Shink 517-373-2426 sensshink@senate.michigan.gov
Sample letter to send to elected officialsPENDING LEGISLATION
House Bills 4526, 4527 and 4528 were introduced to the Michigan House on May 5, 2023. They would dramatically change any township’s ability to permit and oversee mining operations. Read more
About The Sharon Preservation Society
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, commited citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Sharon Preservation Society is a non-profit, entirely volunteer organization, formed to gather and disseminate information on issues that impact the health, safety, well-being or property values of Sharon Township residents. Currently, we are focused on the impact of proposed aggregate (sand and gravel) mining activity in the township. As residents, we can – and should – be informed and advocate on our own behalf by voicing our concerns to our elected officials. You can donate below to support our efforts. Continued thanks to all the concerned residents who help by communicating their encouragement, and donating their money, time and content.
Contact us
Send us your thoughts, questions, opinions or ideas. We will act on them if we can and we’ll add you to our email list for occasional updates related to mining activity in the township.