49° and Partly Cloudy
Thanks to the Sun Times News and Drew Saunders for covering the important bills regarding aggregate mining introduced this past week in Lansing. I'd like to add some additional information about the bills - see a summary provided by the Michigan Township Association below.
Remember that the mining association has NOT proven the state is running out of gravel for roads. The state has not done the more difficult work of determining how much gravel is available in existing mines, how to incorporate recycled aggregate into road construction projects, or how to protect residents who invested in homes, farms, or businesses in areas that were NOT zoned for gravel mines. Until it does so, these bills are a solution looking for a problem - and this "solution" only benefits the coffers of the aggregate industry.
From the Michigan Township Association
Harmful legislation would silence local voices on sand and gravel mining – Michigan Township Association (michigantownships.org)
These bills will:
- Prohibits municipalities and affected residents or businesses from requesting any permit modifications, silencing the community from issues impacting their daily lives and livelihood, but allows EGLE to grant modifications requested by the mine operator only.
- Allows 70-foot-high aggregate stockpiles just 50 feet from property lines—an obvious impact on neighboring property owners.
- Holds neighboring properties hostage for years by allowing mines to bank sites for up to a decade.
- Artificially limits required financial assurances at levels that do not provide for proper protections for amounts needed for land reclamation.
- Codifies operation hours for activities such as truck loading, blasting and crushing to begin by at least at 6 a.m. six days per week—and allows for hours beyond that time for state or county contracts.
- Limits local government and resident input only through public comment periods and removes any right of referendum by impacted residents.
- Prescribes noise levels required for worker safety hearing protection only and weighted over eight hours—with no considerations for the impact of noise to nearby homes, businesses, schools and property.
- Vacates previous judicial and administration opinions related to all mining permit applications—including those previously submitted to a local unit of government.
