DNR ALERT: GRAYMONT PROPOSALS AND DNR RECOMMENDATION

GRAYMONT PROPOSALS AND DNR RECOMMENDATION TO BE DISCUSSED AT JAN. 28 PUBLIC MEETING IN NEWBERRY

Contact: Kerry Wieber, 517-643-1256, or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815 Agency: Natural ResourcesThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that it will host a public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28, to discuss the pending proposals from Graymont, Inc. for a land transaction and mineral exchange in the eastern Upper Peninsula and the current DNR recommendation on those proposals. The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the High School Auditorium at Tahquamenon Area Schools located at 700 Newberry Ave. in Newberry.
At the meeting, DNR staff will provide a roughly 15-minute overview of the proposals submitted by Graymont, as well as detailed information on the recommendation that has been made to DNR Director Keith Creagh. Starting at roughly 6:15 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to provide both written and oral comments to the DNR on the proposals:

• Anyone wishing to speak will be asked to fill out a card at the meeting.
• In order to allow as many people as possible to share their opinions, each speaker will be limited to three minutes.
• Comment cards will be provided for those who wish to submit written comments, which can be turned in at the meeting or submitted via mail.

A summary of all comments will be provided to Director Creagh, who currently is scheduled to make a decision on the proposals at the Feb. 12 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.
The DNR recently received revisions of a land transaction application and a mineral exchange application from Graymont. The company is proposing development of a limestone mining operation in northern Mackinac County near the town of Rexton. The land transaction application amends an October 2014 application. The mineral exchange application amends a June 2014 submission.
Both proposals for the land transaction and for the mineral exchange can be viewed in their entirety atwww.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.
“Public involvement and the feedback that the DNR receives throughout the process are critical to ensuring a thorough review of the proposals,” said Bill O’Neill, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “As with all of the natural and cultural resources that the DNR manages for the public’s benefit, the land and minerals involved in this proposal are owned by the citizens of Michigan. Their input is vital to making a well-informed decision.”
In order to ensure that all interested citizens will have access to the information presented at the meeting, the DNR will make all presentation materials available for viewing at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.
There are multiple ways people can provide comments about the proposals. Aside from the public meeting in Newberry, the public will have an opportunity to make comments at upcoming NRC meetings. The DNR continues to maintain an email address for the public to comment. Interested parties may send comments to DNR-GraymontProposalComments@michigan.gov. Mailed comments can be sent to the Roscommon Customer Service Center, ATTN: Kerry Wieber, 8717 N. Roscommon Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.
Comments will be accepted until a decision is made.
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for the meeting should contact Kerry Wieber at 989-275-5151, ext. 2908 at least five working days before the event. Requests made fewer than five days before this meeting may not be accommodated.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.