Residents in a northern Michigan township are pushing back against a gravel mine operation - this time in court. They say when the company restarted mining in the community, it violated the terms of a 30-year-old consent agreement.
At a special meeting last month, officials with Hayes Township, near Charlevoix, said their hands were tied, and that the mining company, Rieth-Riley, was operating in accordance with the agreement.
But residents disagreed. Now, the original intervenors have filed a petition asking the Charlevoix County Circuit Court to “enforce” the consent judgment. They say the agreement was never meant to allow indefinite mining and includes a 25-year timeline for mining.
Rieth-Riley filed an objection to the residents’ petition. The company’s attorney said at a meeting last month the timeline was “advisory only,” and the company can change the schedule according to market demands.
Residents are now awaiting a hearing, to see what the Charlevoix County Circuit Court judge decides... if – or how long – Rieth-Riley can continue mining in Bay Shore.
A temporary restraining order filed by residents to stop mining was shot down by a judge.
See petition below:
