State bill causes local concerns regarding gravel mining operations

State legislation to undermine local control of gravel mining operations is causing local consternation.

A growing number of residents in western Washtenaw County are concerned about upcoming state legislation that affects how gravel mining operations could continue and grow despite local communities’ dissent.

Michigan Senate Bill 431 has aroused fears that gravel mining companies can begin operations without townships being able to negotiate permits or provide oversight of existing and future mining operations. 

Sharon Township Supervisor Peter Psarouthakis explained in a post on NextDoor Manchester Township in late November, “This summer I received a phone call from a farmer letting me know that a survey company was surveying properties  along Pleasant Lake road. When the farmer asked the company why they were conducting a survey they were told it was for a gravel mining company who was preparing to buy the property.

“Around that same time the township started to receive phone calls from engineering, environmental engineering and property assessment companies asking for information. When asked who they were working for, they would not tell us. The information they asked for was all public information. Then in October we received the property transfer affidavits for the James Schnearle properties and 80 acres owned by Kyle A. Toteff and Bryan Diuble.”

Psarouthakis continued that the sale was not contingent upon the company receiving a permit to operate in the township; the company, Michigan Paving & Materials (Stoneco, who also owns a gravel mining operation in Freedom Township) just laid out several million dollars and bought it outright.

Citizen Barbara Schmid expressed her concern that this mine will have the potential be up to 10 times the size of the current mine on M-52. She also noted that since “we all rely on private wells for our drinking water … (it is a concern that) gravel mining operations, when poorly regulated, open pathways of exposure for groundwater contamination, and interrupt ground and surface water flow. Therefore, it (is) imperative that mining operations, especially large ones, are subject to effective oversight and prompt action when necessary.”

Obviously, local township boards and commissions are already deeply involved in such oversight and action, but it is a concern for many residents that this upcoming legislation could affect how Sharon and Freedom Townships, in particular, are able to provide that protection.

Psarouthakis added that, “When we receive a permit it will have to go through the Planning Commission process, which will include public meetings, public input, and a public hearing. If it passes the Planning Commission then it comes to the Board of Trustees for final approval, denial, or sends it back to the Planning Commission for adjustments. Our township planner, township attorney, and engineering firm have been made aware of all of this so that they can provide guidance to the township as we go through this process. As the road commission has told us, this has the potential to be the largest mining operation in the entire county.”

The potential new gravel mining operation and the legislation under consideration at the state level were both topics of discussion at last week’s Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments meeting, making sure that the leadership of Manchester Township, the Village of Manchester, and Bridgewater Township were all made aware of the gravity of this situation and how it might affect the other local municipalities.

“If (the bills in the legislature) become law we will have to deal with that then,” Psarouthakis said in his post. “Until then, we must operate under existing law which allows for local control. All Planning Commission, Board of Trustees, and Mineral Licensing Board meetings are open to the public.”

To contact our elected state legislators and ask them to vote NO on SB431, email or call Representative Donna Lasinski, 517-373-0828, and Senator Lana Theis, (517) 373-2420. Each has expressed their opposition to these bills but additional contacts will be helpful to reinforce their positions. The Michigan House and Senate will be in session again Tuesday, Dec. 8.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.