Stop Mining in Paradise

STEP Formal Opposition to the Proposed Gravel Mine

Letter from STEP Legal Counsel to the Springfield Township Board of Trustees

August 13, 2026

Springfield Charter Township Board of Trustees
12000 Davisburg Road
Davisburg, MI 48350

Re: Springfield Township Environmental Protectors (“S.T.E.P.”) Statement of Opposition to Special Land Use Application and 2026 Proposed Amendments to Mining Ordinance

Dear Township Board of Trustees:

I represent STEP, a community-led 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to protect and preserve the community’s environment. The purpose of this communication is to provide you with STEP’s official statement (attached) in opposition to a special land use application concerning property located at 6651 Ormond Road (BMC) (“paused”).

STEP respectfully demands that the Township Board immediately hold a formal, roll-call vote on the “paused” application and that the application be rejected for the procedural and substantive deficiencies as stated in the attached Letter.

Additionally, denial of the application is warranted because of the 2026 Proposed Amendments to Springfield Charter Township’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 – Environment, Article IV. Mining Control.

Thank you for paying attention to this very serious matter.

Very truly yours,

RYAN RICHARDVILLE, PLLC
Ryan P. Richardville, Esq.

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STEP Statement of Opposition

RE: Special Land Use (SLU) Permit Application Evaluation – 6651 Ormond Road (BMC)

Dear Township Board of Trustees,

This letter is from Springfield Township Environment Protectors (STEP). STEP is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to protect the community’s environment and well-being. STEP advocates for development practices that safeguard local ecosystems, property values, and resident health; and, STEP seeks to prevent the degradation of the local quality-of-life, while also promoting responsible land use that benefits present and future generations.

In support of this mission, STEP has consulted with experienced regulatory, administrative, legal, architectural, engineering, design, and operations professionals about the application for the above-referenced SLU Permit.

These consultants recommend that this “paused” SLU Permit Application be immediately advanced to a formal Board vote; and also, that the Application be REJECTED, based on the following observed deficiencies:

• Failure to comply with required submission procedures, as per Springfield Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 “Environment”, Article IV “Mining Control”.
• Failure to adequately resolve concerns about the proposed business operations, as per Springfield Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 40 “Zoning”, Article VI “Environmental Performance Standards”.
• Failure to show proof of building code and/or zoning variances, to allow Industrial, Manufacturing, and Hazardous Storage use groups, occupancies, structures, and operations to occur in a Residential Zone.
• Failure to adequately resolve concerns from the community and professional consultants about the proposed business operations that could result in a variety of Very Serious Consequences (VSC’s).
• Failure to show proof of approval from EGLE for the proposed business operations and the proposed VSC risk mitigation strategies, particularly related to mitigating known negative environmental impacts.
• Failure to show proof of approval from entities with legal easements and/or right-of-way and/or site access and site use privileges; for example, failure to show proof of approval for the proposed placement, use, modification, and maintenance of any public roads and/or infrastructural utilities.
• Failure to show proof of approval from Rose Township for the portion of the Project Site that is located outside of the taxable and operational jurisdiction of Springfield Township.

STEP encourages the Board to consider this information, as it decides how to proceed in this important matter.

Respectfully submitted by:
Members of Springfield Township Environment Protectors

Community Alert: The Threat Facing Springfield Township

The beautiful, tranquil environment of Springfield Township is under imminent threat. A group of us residents, along with those in nearby Rose Township, are faced with the potential destruction of our serene living conditions. The Levy Company has proposed a 496-acre gravel pit on Ormond Road, promising at least twenty years of noise, dust, and disruption. Our lives – filled with the quiet and peace that our community provides – will be forever altered by gravel haulers, increased traffic, and the pollutants that come with such projects. This is not just a concern for Springfield residents, but also for those in surrounding areas who will inevitably be affected.

The proposed gravel pit poses serious environmental risks that should concern each and every one of us. Our air quality will degrade, with a constant cloud of dust from the pit suffocating our clean air. Perhaps more concerning is the potential contamination of our groundwater: the very source of our daily hydration and well-being may become polluted, putting our health and the health of future generations at peril.

We need your help to stop this development. By signing this petition, you can send a clear message that the environmental and health impacts are too great a cost for our community. Let’s work together to protect our homes, our environment, and our future.