Back Forty Project wetland permit is approved by the DEQ Director despite contrary findings by Michigan’s DEQ Water Resources Division (WRD)
DEQ Director, C. Heidi Grether, in a June 4, 2018, letter of approval to Aquila Resources stated the following:
“We have determined that the project as proposed could not be permitted without additional supporting documentation because the hydrologic modeling provided does not define the anticipated impacts to aquatic resources described in the application.”
THEN WHY DID YOU APPROVE IT?
To view entire letter, go to “Approval Letter from DEQ to Aquila“
The Water Resources Division of Michigan’s DEQ, in its FINDING of FACT and CONCLUSIONS of LAW, clearly demonstrates why the permit should have been denied:
“WRD finds that the project does not demonstrate that an unacceptable disruption to the aquatic resources of the State will not occur and that the activities associated with the project are not consistent with the permitting criteria for an acceptable impact to the resources regulated under Parts 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, and Part 303, Wetlands Protection.”
SO WHY DID THE DIRECTOR REVERSE THE FINDINGS OF THE WRD?
To view entire Finding of Fact and Conclusions of Law, go to “Finding of Fact“
While the wetland permit has been approved, it comes with 30 pages of conditions that MUST be satisfied in order to proceed. Along with that, the three previously-approved permits also include numerous pages of conditions.
To view these 30 pages of wetland conditions, go to “Conditions of Wetland Permit“
DEMAND ANSWERS FROM DIRECTOR GRETHER AS TO WHY SHE APPROVED THIS PERMIT!
Call 517-284-6700
Email: gretherh@michigan.gov
Many thanks to all who support us in this environmental fight to protect the Menominee River.