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July 20 Norvell Township Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
This was the first meeting attended by new Trustee, Zachary Panak, who was appointed on July 6. Also attending were Andrew Haystead, Supervisor; Sharon Pero, Clerk; Deserre Sauers, Treasurer; and Terri Curtis, Trustee. During the second Public comment period, IHCC was represented by four succinct and well-worded statements. Each statement was crafted to remind the…
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July Meeting Recap
Saturday’s IHCC community meeting was one of our most energizing yet. A strong turnout of engaged neighbors came ready to share ideas, ask sharp questions, and roll up their sleeves — and that enthusiasm is exactly what keeps this effort moving forward. What We Covered We shared updates on several important fronts. The Norvell Township…
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Park Visitors Are Speaking Up, and We Need Your Voice
Something powerful is happening. Park visitors from across Michigan are adding their names to a unified message: the proposed industrial gravel mine adjacent to Watkins Lake State Park is the wrong project in the wrong place. We’re collecting signatures to send directly to the Governor and state park leadership — building a record that proves…
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IHCC at Brooklyn’s 4th of July Parade
Over a dozen marchers of all ages brought the IHCC message to the Brooklyn 4th of July parade. Cheers and applause greeted our crew as we walked by carrying a banner version of our yard sign at the front. Over 200 IHCC information cards were handed out, along with nature-themed temporary tattoos for the kids.…
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IMPACTS
WHAT IS A VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE? The Township must deny the mining permit unless the mining company can show the mine would cause no very serious consequences. Factors that can count toward that standard include harm to neighboring land uses, declining property values, traffic and safety hazards, and damage to public health and welfare. That’s…
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RESOURCE HUB
Click a link below to learn more about the Irish Hills area and the mine project. Helpful Links Myths vs Facts Citizens Protect Irish Hills FAQ Catalog Community Meeting Presentations Friends of Watkins Lake (FoWL) Check back soon for new materials:Fact sheets, maps, and more! About The Mine & The Township involvement The Full Proposal…
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THE MINE
On November 17, 2025, American Aggregates of Michigan, Inc. applied to operate a gravel mine on 625 acres bordering Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, an MDNR-designated Waterfowl Refuge in Norvell Township, Michigan.The applicant claims the project would not result in ‘very serious consequences’ – the legal threshold required to deny a mining permit…
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COMMUNITY
join us at our next meeting! Head to the events calendar and save the date! Since early 2026, IHCC has held monthly meetings to keep the community informed, share research, and answer questions. Explore the archive of past meetings below to download presentations, watch recap videos, and more. past meeting recaps JuL ’26 A strong…
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OUR CAUSE
ABOUT IHCC Irish Hills Concerned Citizens (IHCC) was incorporated as a non-profit in January 2026. IHCC’s mission is to protect Watkins Lake State Park & County Preserve, its birds and wildlife, and the rural character of the surrounding region. Read the latest news and stories on our blog. our mission is simple IHCC is a nonprofit…
