April 25 Follow up to Stoneco’s Letter to Township

APR 25 FOLLOW UP TO STONECO’S LETTER TO TOWNSHIP

PLEASANT LAKE RD SITE

After Stoneco’s attorney recently threatened Sharon Township with legal action, one Sharon Township resident wrote and compared the situation to the story of David and Goliath: one shepherd armed only with a slingshot, a few stones, and a sense of righteousness kills a gigantic, blustering, fearsome giant.

If Stoneco were to bring a legal action against the township, the David and Goliath story would seem appropriate.  But, it’s important to note that the township is still working the process as outlined in its ordinance:

Stoneco’s application for a special use permit for the Pleasant Lake Rd site is still in Phase I of the process.

• The Board of Trustees has not yet addressed the finding by the Planning Commission (PC); the PC found that Stoneco has not proven there is a need to extract sand and gravel from this site.
• The Board expects Stoneco to provide the information that had been lacking in its prior submissions.  The Board will then review the information and determine the next steps.
• The timing for any next steps are unsure.

The story was reported in MLive on April 12.

IMPORTANT – CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

The MLIve also reports that Stoneco’s attorney is also the head counsel for the Michigan Aggregate Association, a lobbying group, and that he “had been a principal draftsman of the state law he is now claiming the township isn’t following while working on behalf of the association [aggregate lobby] and its members.”  

If you think the lobby has already exerted enough pressure in Lansing, then take a few minutes to oppose SB 429-431.  Even if you have already contacted Senator Theis and Representative Lasinski, you can send a letter to the committee charged with review of these bills.  Contact information and a sample letter can be found here.  (click the Sample Letter button)

If enacted, these bills will remove the ability of a township to draft and enforce its own ordinances for the permitting and regulation of aggregate mines.  Sharon Township’s ordinance is providing safeguards against the negative impacts and very serious consequences that can be imposed by aggregate mines.   Furthermore, environmental groups believe this will be a rubber stamp for the aggregate industry.

M-52 SITE

Also, on Monday, May 2, the Mineral Licensing Board will review the impact of an expansion of the M-52 mine on air and water quality.  More on this to come.