Wheres the story?2 Points Mentioned To the Editor: I find it curious how an entire state can take an active notice in the deregulation of wolves from the endangered species manifest, yet little interest is being generated with the potential sale of 13,000 acres in western Mackinac County to a Canadian strip mining company. Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Natural Resources director, has sole discretionary power regarding this matter. Many residents living in the affected area are opposed to this project and have taken up petitions to prevent this endeavor from occurring. As a nonresidential property owner, I have numerous concerns with the MDNR allowing this project. Sinkholes, disruption to the ecosystem, destroying the natural habitat of animals/vegetation, land erosion with resultant flooding, decreased air quality, and lastly, water contamination due to faulty/leaking trail ponds and disruption to the shale rock which acts as a purifier for the aqua reservoirs. It has been well documented that communities allowing strip mining have experienced the aforementioned scenarios. Dean Reid from the Mackinac County Planning Commission indicates that Graymont could potentially generate 25 jobs for the people of Mackinac County; yet simple mathematics dictates that this is not even one job per person living in the effected townships. Frankly, it seems that the only entity that will benefit from this endeavor is the MDNR, which is to receive royalties for the next 100 years from Graymont. The devastation that this mining corporation could, and most likely will, cause will take well over 100 years to repair. Over the past five to eight years, our state has launched a campaign designed to lure tourists from other states to visit Michigan. Governor Granholm stated on many occasions that tourism is an industry that would enhance the state’s economy; hence the “Pure Michigan” advertisements were created. I can honestly say that I have never heard of tourists lining up to take a tour of a surface mine area, since these places are not pristine environments to visit. I urge anyone who has ever enjoyed vacationing in this area to contact Keith Creagh, the Mackinac CountyPlanning Commission, and Frank Foster, the state representative of this district, and let them know that strip mining is not the answer to enhancing the economy of Mackinac County. Dave Gorenflo and his group Coalition Against Strip Mining has made information available regarding this project. Laura Veverka
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:11:06 +0000
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