Contact: Sarah Tresedder, sarah.tresedder@sierraclub.org, 906-869-4167
Sierra Club Stands in Opposition to Camp Grayling Expansion
Michigan’s state forests must be protected from military base contamination and pollution
Lansing, MI - In June, Camp Grayling, the United State’s largest US National Guard training facility, announced plans to lease 162,000 more acres of state land from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The Sierra Club has publicly come out in opposition to these plans for the threats it poses to our land, waterways, and public health.
“Military bases have an alarming history of contaminating our land and water. This expansion would nearly double the size of Camp Grayling and put numerous communities, ecosystems, and species at risk.” said Tim Minotas, Sierra Club Legislative & Political Coordinator, “Our watersheds must be protected - we cannot afford to pollute any more of our wetlands, rivers, or lakes”
In addition to the concerns over water and land contamination and public health risks, the Sierra Club points out the lack of transparency and accountability in the plan.
“There is so much we don’t know about this expansion. We need more information from the National Guard on what materials and equipment they will be using in the area. Who will be responsible for any cleanup needs and how will the National Guard and the DNR ensure that our state forests are maintained and protected?” said Fred Miller, Sierra Club activist and co-chair of Turn Oakland County Green.
"Cold-water fish and lots of other species around here are already under strain from climate change and degraded ecosystems," said Charlie Weaver, a local Sierra Club leader from Bear Lake Township and avid fly-fisherman and bird watcher. "Adding military electronic warfare maneuvers and corporate defense equipment testing can only make matters worse, maybe much worse."
The huge expansion of the military use of Michigan forests will cause an inevitable increase in environmental strain no matter the limitations imposed. Given the risks, the Sierra Club calls on the Department of Natural Resources to deny the expansion proposal. Read the full letter of opposition here.
The public has the opportunity to submit comments and voice their opinions on the proposed expansion. Submit comments through the interactive, online map hosted on the DNR’s Camp Grayling lease update proposal webpage or by email to DNR-Camp-Grayling@Michigan.gov.
###