The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is not moving forward with a proposed project to establish a gravel pit or tree seed orchard on two parcels of land in Genoa Township.
You can read about the proposal by clicking here.
The DNR had proposed removing excess material and leveling the hilly land on the 50-acre and 77-acre parcels between Brighton Road and Cunningham Lake Road by leasing the rights to mine sand and gravel on the properties. The land now is expected to be sold at auction in the future.
“People in the area have told us that they do not want the DNR to complete this process, and we have listened to their concerns,” said Jeff Stampfly, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Public input has always been an important aspect of proposed forest management activities, whether here or in evaluating other decisions across the state.”
The Forest Resources Division took over management of the two parcels in 2019. The properties had previously been listed as surplus properties by the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, which manages the nearby 4,947-acre Brighton Recreation Area.
“I’m glad the DNR is being transparent with its plans today, and that people took a stand against something they felt just didn’t make sense for our community,” said state Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township. “Your voices have been heard, and the DNR will not move forward with its proposal.”
Bollin also thanked the DNR team that spent time to learn more about local concerns, the land’s history and the potential impact on the community.
