Gerald Corkin, chairman, Marquette County Board of Commissioners

By RANDY CROUCH

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Board of Commissioners discussed opposition to three pieces of proposed state legislation during a Tuesday meeting. The legislation would transfer control of sand and gravel mining operations to the state.

The bills would change the process of permitting aggregate mining operations, which under current law is handled by local planning, zoning and other ordinances, and shift permit approval and oversight of such operations to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

According to critics of the legislation, HB 4526-28, the bills would eliminate local municipalities’ control over the mining operations and leave control in the hands of Lansing.

“Any time we take away local control, that’s a problem. Government is always best served locally,” said Marquette County Commissioner Joe DeRocha. “Lansing doesn’t know what Michigamme Township needs, nor do we know what Alpena may need.”

Those in support of the bills say that the legislation would simplify the supply chain and improve the efficiency of road construction projects around Michigan, in part because gravel and sand pits could be located closer to project sites, reducing transportation and other costs.

Among the supporters is the group Build It Michigan Strong, which according to its website is a union and business coalition formed to put permitting reform into the hands of state environmental experts.

“Reform is necessary because demand for sand and gravel is too often stymied by local activists waging sophisticated (public relations) fights against new aggregate mines,” said a statement on Build It Michigan Strong’s website. “Tighter supplies mean higher costs for taxpayers, fewer infrastructure projects built and workers left on the sidelines.”

During the Tuesday board meeting, the board approved a letter addressed to state Rep. Jenn Hill from county board Chair Gerald Corkin opposing the bill package.

“Should this legislation become law, local governments would have no jurisdiction over the issuance of a permit, approval, or other authorization for the location, operation, abandonment or reclamation of an aggregate mine,” said Corkin in the letter to Hill. “The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy would then usurp local officials to work directly with the aggregate industry to approve mining sites and their activities.”

The bills were introduced earlier this month in the state Legislature and have bipartisan support, with six Democrats and seven Republicans cosponsoring the bills.

“This legislation could be the first of many attempts by the Legislature to pre-empt local control,” the letter said. “If the state succeeds in taking authority away, what might be next?”

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net