RESPONSE TO LAKE TOWNSHIP PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCES
STEPHENSON, Mich. September 19, 2018 – Back Forty Mine issues the following statement in response to Lake Township's proposed amendments to zoning ordinances.
"The law is clear that local governments are preempted (prevented) from enacting regulations or requiring a local permit affecting mining that contradicts or conflict with Michigan's Nonferrous Metallic Mining Regulations - Part 632. Concerning limited power is given to local units of government, they may “…regulate hours at which mining operations take place and routes used by vehicles in connection with mining operations. However, such ordinances, regulations, or resolutions shall be reasonable in accommodating customary nonferrous metallic mineral mining operations.”
Unfortunately, certain officials in Lake Township have been actively opposing the Back Forty Mine for more than a decade, and by adding illegal, costly, and excessive local regulations by way of amendments, they are attempting to prevent the project from moving forward. For years now, the Township has turned us away when we have tried to work collaboratively with them to address their concerns. The Township has gone so far as to bar officials, via a resolution, from communicating with Aquila. This censorship is both unreasonable and illegal. More importantly, this behavior is preventing Lake Township residents from having a conversation about what support this mine can provide to the community.
We remain optimistic that constructive conversations with the Lake Township Board will bring improvements that are desired by the community, and we encourage residents to have that conversation with Township officials and Aquila."
Related - Eagle Herald: Crowd packs Lake Township Hall
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ABOUT BACK FORTY MINE
Back Forty Mine is Aquila Resources’ 100% owned permitting stage zinc- and gold-rich mine located in Menominee County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Blondeau
Manager, Communications
Phone (434) 906-0594
dblondeau@aquilaresources.com
