Gravel Mining

A Charlevoix circuit court judge has decided that gravel mining in a northern Michigan community cannot go on indefinitely — but it also won't come to an immediate stop, as residents have demanded.

A Charlevoix judge heard arguments from a gravel mine company and residents, who say mining in their Northern Michigan township violates a 30-year-old legal agreement.

The "new asbestos" or Sleeping Bear Dunes? A lack of research on community exposure to silica and fugitive dust leaves many communities in the dark about their health risk.

The Michigan state house was packed May 9 as lawmakers heard from aggregate industry representatives and “local control” supporters. The discussion concerned recently introduced legislation that would hand permitting of aggregate mines, from local governments, over to the state.

Mining companies that produce construction aggregate have been pushing for years for a law that changes who approves permits for their operations.

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.

Bay Shore residents raised environmental, health, and safety concerns about plans to begin mining in their community. But a 30-year-old court order complicates the situation.

Bay Shore residents ‘in purgatory’ as gravel mining set to begin

Road construction and infrastructure projects are demanding more sand and gravel resources, and mine applications are sweeping the state. Local communities have the power to approve or reject the mines, but they don’t always know how.

The Michigan House of Representatives is considering legislation that would take local government control away when it comes to rock, sand, and gravel mine permits.