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September 21, 2021
By Jessica Mathews / [email protected]
Details are still somewhat limited as to a proposed state project in the Canton of Genoa that would involve a tree seedling farm and gravel mining operation – which has prompted questions and opposition from some. neighbors.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources owns a 74-acre property across from the Oak Pointe entrance on Brighton Road. The department is looking to reconfigure the state-owned properties to convert them to seed orchards, in accordance with a public notice of sale of lease for the development and restoration of the site. The orchards would provide seeds to nurseries, which produce seedlings for planting throughout Michigan. The notice states that a potential lease to be issued involves mining sand and gravel, and that the mining area would be limited to 56 acres on the approximately 74-acre parcel.
Details have been limited, which has raised some concern from residents who live nearby.
Genoa Township Supervisor Bill Rogers said the project would involve a new seedling farm, as MNR already has a forest farm nearby. Rogers said it would be like a regular park, although they are growing the seedlings for planting elsewhere on the road. Rogers says MNR is looking for offers for leases for seedlings, as well as a section to mine sand and gravel. He told WHMI there will always be a certain balance of land no matter what is needed to grow the seedlings, but said it would be supposed to be a park-like setting where people can picnic. , etc. among the seedlings.
Rogers said the hard thing right now is that MNR is still going on, making it hard for the township to say what’s going on as they don’t know what their leases will look like. Since the property was cleared, Rogers said they had spoken to MNR to keep the township informed as they are the ones who receive all calls from residents – adding that communication has improved dramatically.
Rogers said there is a lot of misinformation because no one really knows 100% what’s on offer. He said the MNR had indicated that they were working on organizing a public meeting and tried to find a place for people to find out more, adding that they wanted to get the details as soon as possible. to let people know what they’re trying to accomplish.
Rogers added that MNR will have to talk to the township, but that ultimately it is Crown land and the township is limited in what it can do. Personally, Rogers has said he will oppose any entry or exit outside Brighton Road.
The lease notice is attached.
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