Thank you to everyone who came out to another successful community meeting on Saturday. We had a great discussion about where things stand with the proposed AAOM/Levy mine and how we can prepare for the next stage of the process.
Expert Reports
Andy shared updates on the expert reports IHCC has commissioned, including summaries of their findings. You can read the reports here:
Tell Us How the Mine Would Impact You
While we are gathering expert opinions that capture the broad range of potential impacts from the proposed mine, just as important are the very specific concerns of individual community members who could experience very serious consequences if the mine goes in.
At Saturday’s meeting, we talked about what those impacts can look like in everyday life:
- Children waiting for school buses along roads that would see increased heavy truck traffic
- Community members trying to sell their homes or properties in the shadow of a proposed mine
- Individuals with medical conditions that could be exacerbated by particulates in the air and other potential health hazards introduced by the mine
- Agricultural producers whose animals could be affected by increased noise and dust
- Local farm operators who would need to move equipment between fields and navigate increased truck traffic
- And many other impacts that may be unique to individual people and properties
The more specific the impact, the more resonant it is likely to be. A general statement that the mine will create more traffic is important. But a specific account of how increased truck traffic would impact you in particular helps make that impact real and understandable.
If you believe the mine would have a significant impact on you, your family, your property, your work, or the places you use and care about, please use this form to tell us about it.
These individual experiences will help us understand the full scope of what is at stake and prepare for the township’s review and public comment process.
September Township Meetings
There are two important township meetings coming up:
Norvell Township Planning Commission
Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m.
300 Mill Rd., Brooklyn, MI 49230
Norvell Township Board
Monday, September 21 at 6:00 p.m.
300 Mill Rd., Brooklyn, MI 49230
IHCC is on the agenda, and our lawyers and Vice President Andy Buchsbaum will be presenting to the Township Board about the impacts of the proposed mine. Community members are encouraged to attend and speak during public comment as well. If the mine would affect you in a specific way, these meetings are an opportunity to begin putting those impacts on the record.
Preparing for the Next Application
We are ramping up our efforts in anticipation of Levy resubmitting its mining application.
Once the township determines that the application is complete, it can establish a public comment period with just 15 days’ notice. That means we need to be ready to act quickly and turn out community members who can speak to the specific ways this mine would affect their lives, properties, livelihoods, and community.
We’re looking for volunteers who would like to help when the time comes. There are lots of different ways to contribute, including:
- Media outreach
- Social media outreach
- SMS/text outreach
- Transportation coordination
- Swag coordination
- Volunteer coordination
- Event coordination
- And other ways to help get the word out and bring our community together
You don’t need to take on a big role. If you have a particular skill, connection, or time to contribute, we’d love to hear from via this formand/or you can join the IHCC Volunteers Facebook Group.
Next Community Meeting
Our next scheduled IHCC community meeting is:
Saturday, October 17
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
107 Chicago St., Brooklyn, MI 49230
In the meantime, please join us at the September township meetings if you can, fill out the impact form, share it with your neighbors, and consider volunteering to help us prepare for the next phase.
Thank you for being part of this effort!
-Irish Hills Concerned Citizens