LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Kevin Daley on Wednesday voted against legislation that would strip away local control and create a statewide sand and gravel mining permit process through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
“We should not be stripping our communities of local control and handing overall decision-making authority to a state department,” said Daley, R-Lum. “After what we have seen from state departments in the last year, we need less bureaucratic control, not more.”
Senate Bills 429-431 would strip the ability of local governments across the state from having a say in mining operations within their jurisdiction. The bills would have created a statewide one-size-fits-all process, incorrectly treating all communities and all mining operations alike, despite no two communities or mining operations being the same.
Daley added that as a former township supervisor, he understands the frustrations Metamora officials and the community are having.
“I will continue fighting for my community,” Daley said. “These people live, work, and raise their families here. They certainly ought to have a say what kind of operation goes on in their back yards.”
The bills will now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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