The Mine Proposal
On November 17, 2025, American Aggregates of Michigan, Inc., applied to Norvell Township to operate a gravel mine on 625 acres acres that border Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, a recreational resource for all Michiganders and an MDNR-designated Waterfowl Refuge.
According to the application, the gravel mine is being proposed as:
- establishing a mine and processing plant on 625 acres next to the Park
- mining a large portion of that area with bulldozers and other heavy equipment
- operating 5 days a week, and Saturday mornings, for up to 20 years
- An average of 18 trucks per hour, up to 104-130 trucks per day [operations go 13 hours, from 7 am to 8 pm in the summer]
- a haul route that runs through rural roads to Wamplers Lake Road and then past Hayes State Park
Because of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, the township may not deny mining unless very serious consequences would result. However, it is the burden of the applicant to show this and the applicant (American Aggregates of Michigan, Inc.) does not believe that “very serious consequences” would result from an environmental incursion of this magnitude.
Visit our “Learn More” page to gain further understanding of the value of our local natural resources and to better understand the law pertaining to mining in the township. We will continue to update this page with additional pertinent resources, especially concerning the impacts of gravel mining.
Communication from Norvell Township
Norvell Township Supervisor, Bill Sutherland, details his efforts in gathering data to assess the gravel mine application. This includes the response from the DNR. The Technical Memorandum from the engineering firm, GEI, includes requests for additional clarification from the mining proposal.
4/6/2026: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Norvell Township Requests Additional Information Regarding Proposed Mining Application
Norvell Township has formally requested additional information from American Aggregates of Michigan (AAOM) in connection with the company’s pending conditional use and mining permit application.
The request is intended to ensure that the Planning Commission has a complete and accurate administrative record before evaluating the proposed mining operation under the Township’s zoning ordinance and applicable Michigan law. The request incorporates questions and issues presented by members of the public during the application review process, along with other matters identified by the Township.
The request for supplemental information is a routine part of the review process for complex land use applications and does not reflect any determination regarding the merits of the proposal. No decision has been made on the application.
The Township will continue its review once the requested materials are received and made part of the record. Information regarding future meetings and opportunities for public participation will be posted on the Township’s website and published in the manner required by law.
For more information, please contact Norvell Township.
Date: April 6, 2026
Contact: Bill Sutherland – Supervisor
Email: Bsutherland@NorvellTWP-MI.gov
Flaws highlighted
Andy Buchsbaum, IHCC Vice-president, explains the flaws in the assessment of the gravel mine proposal to the attendees of the Feb. 7 meeting. He delineates those concerns to the Norvell Township Trustees in the informative Memorandum below.
This letter from Geologist Michael Wilczynski, Pangea Environmental, LLC, argues that the mine review is incomplete, citing environmental risks, missing groundwater data, community impacts, and likely property value declines without proven local economic benefits.