Lake Township Board considerations relating to Mining :

The mission of this web site is to provide a forum for information, proposals, and ideas on the use and development of a mineral mine in Lake Township of Menominee County Michigan so you can make more informed decisions about a course of action.  Click on word or picture links for more information. "The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men's candles of commitment only fan the fires of faith in others  "          Neal A Maxwell

Lake Township Board considerations	Responses
Does the Lake Township Board have to have a zoning ordinance in place regulating mining activities before the mine even applies for a permit?	The two are not related.  The applicant can apply for State permits before there is a zoning ordinance. Lynne M. Boyd Manager, Mineral and Land Management Section Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division Department of Natural Resources As for zoning I do not know what they have "on the books" or what 'legal standing / status' local ordinances would have .  The DEQ GLMD would process the application irrespective of what other statues or ordinances might apply.  It it the responsibility of the site operator to have ALL of the necessary licenses and permits as well as operating with the purview of ALL applicable regulations, ordinances, covenants . . .  If we issue a permit it does not supersede the need to comply with all of the rules, federal, state and or local (there are a bunch)  Steve Wilson DEQ The Lake Township Board attorney Kim Coggins said the mine had to be permitted and operating to be grand fathered into a zoning ordinance
Decisions to last Generations       Why is the Lake Township Board in such a hurry to pass a zoning ordinance? Wouldn't it be better to have more public input? When the mining company came in and started drilling test holes their was a public outcry about not being notified. Are we doing the same type of thing? Are all the land owners in Lake Township aware of what this ordinance is about or how it will affect them?       We are all interested in obtaining a good Quality of life, but in our haste to make things apparently good for us, how will we affect the quality of our neighbors lives. and therefor the lives of us all. We can assume that what we want is what they want but anyone who has raised children can tell you that ain't necessarily so.      Lets take a little more time to hear from our neighbors: the loggers, the farmers, the cabin owners  and shopkeepers, Those who drive the roads or work in factories, from those who raise or teach our children.      What you do here in Lake Township will probably affect all of Menominee County and more.    Protecting our quality of life is so very important that we should take the time to do it right. So I ask you of the board to do it right,  rather than  right now.	I Was impressed !    After attending the zoning board meeting I came away with a better understanding of their dilemma, and a great appreciation for those who sit on the board: Warren Suchovski, Cheryl Hargrove, Nick Thoney, and Denise Wilson, assisted by Bill Wickham of CUPAD. Their task is very difficult. They have been directed to bring some measure of zoning protection to the citizens of  Lake township in a very quick manner, while doing their best to consider the desires of all it's residents. Their course under the circumstances seems sound. It is to put in place a basic interim zoning ordinance of the least controversial issues, and then to start a more in depth and careful work on those that are important to the community but are more controversial starting with the mining issue. I express my hope that people will be patient as they work the bugs out of their tremendous effort. Remember if you fly into someone's face they may want to clip your wings?
Tuesday, Sept. 30th - Lake Township Zoning Board meeting @ 7:00 PM, Lake Township Hall	The Lake Township zoning board finished their work on the initial interim zoning ordinance and voted to move it on to the county planning commission for its review. The county then has 15 days to respond to this proposed ordinance. If approved it then goes to the Township board for its review. This will probably occur at the boards regularly scheduled meeting on Wed. November 12th. Meanwhile the zoning board begins consideration of the mining portion of the zoning ordinance on Monday November  6th if Joe Maki from the DEQ is available. If he is not available then that meeting would be scheduled for Thursday Oct. 16th.
Tuesday, Sept. 16th - Lake Township Board meeting  @ 7:30 PM, Lake Township Hall	Joe Maki form the DEQ did a great job answering difficult Questions.
Monday, Sept. 15th - Lake Township Zoning Board meeting @ 7:00 PM, Lake Township Hall	Although The Board did not finish , it made great progress on the interim zoning ordinance.
Tuesday, Sept. 2nd - Lake Township Zoning Board meeting @ 7:00 PM, Lake Township Hall	The board voted to accept, and attempt to meet a directive from the township board regarding a zoning ordinance.
Who is assisting the zoning board in this tremendous effort	CUPAD  Bill Wickham 906-786-9234