Help Stop a Gravel Pit from Opening in the Irish Hills

Numerous studies show that this type of mining dramatically depresses property values for miles around. Values drop from 5% as far away as 3-miles and as much as 35% within 1/2–mile! 

Read one of the Studies 

 It only follows that decreased property values lead to a decrease in tax revenues for the township, Lenawee & Jackson Counties. To address these shortfalls, governments either need to cut back — or increase everyone’s tax rates. So even if your property value doesn’t fall, you are still negatively affected by the overall value damage! 

Until recently, few understood the dangers created by crystalline silica dust. It has proven links to diseases that lead to death including silicosis, lung cancer, COPD, renal failure, and kidney disease as well as causing auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

What’s in the ground? Hundreds, if not thousands, of residents rely on groundwater drawn near the proposed mining site. Mining operations, washing, dust control and digging has the high probability of disturbing an already fragile groundwater source.

The danger gravel truck traffic would most certainly create is perhaps the most frightening, as it is also one of the deadliest. The danger is created by 82-ton gravel trucks slowly pulling out onto US-12 near what locals already refer to as "dead man's curve". What is the actual stopping distance of an 82-ton gravel train with brakes in less than peak condition that is speeding at 55 mph on hilly, wet and curvy roads?

The clamor of a gravel mine includes the revving of diesel engines from gravel trucks, bull dozers, crushers, sorters, and other equipment, the clanging racket of machines at work, and the daylong annoyance of OSHA required backup beeping – BEEP BEEP BEEP! This combined with the creation of noxious smells will lead to the loss of property enjoyment.