And we’ll show you two ways to help. Together, we can be a voice for change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy.
New aggregate mining legislation introduced in Lansing poses serious threats to our environment, natural resources, and rural Michigan communities.
This legislation was written by and for the mining industry to gain access to more virgin rock and sand aggregate materials in Michigan. House Bills 6108-6111 would eliminate the control and authority of local governments to permit new mines and accelerate the environmental damage done by aggregate mining.
Aggregate mining destroys farmland and local natural areas by clearing the land of soil, trees, shrubs, and other foliage. The mining process also increases erosion and exposes groundwater to pollution. In a number of mining operations happening right now in Michigan, residents’ wells are going dry due to mines pumping out groundwater.
When aggregate mining operations come online, they wreak havoc on impacted communities, increasing air, sound, and light pollution from constant heavy truck traffic and on-site industrial activity.