While working through the State land process with the DNR a revised LTA has been submitted to the State. The revised LTA addresses comments from DNR and the public. For more specific information on this revised LTA, please follow the attached link to the MDNR website which includes the revised LTA and related documentation.
The following summary details some of the key items from the revised LTA.
Public access to the two surface mine areas would be preserved and public uses have been expanded from the original LTA for all areas not under active mining.
The State will retain a perpetual easement on truck/ATV/motorcycle/snowmobile trails. For example; McLeod Truck Trail, Cranberry Lake Road, Dollar Lake Truck Trail.
DNR would have the right of first offer to re-acquire the surface mine lands and underground mineral interests for appraised value after completion of mining and reclamation activities.
We are happy to invite you to have an ice cream with us.
Come meet project representatives and discuss the Rexton Project
Two dates available:
Date : Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Time : 4 – 7 p.m.
Location : Trout Lake Tavern, 21409 S M, Trout Lake, MI 49793
Date : Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Time : 4 – 7 p.m.
Location : Ace Hardware parking lot, 2011 Newberry Ave, Newberry, MI 49868
News release – Graymont moving forward with new limestone operation in Michigan’s upper peninsula.
Following is the original release from Graymont.
GRAYMONT MOVING FORWARD WITH NEW LIMESTONE OPERATION IN MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENINSULA
Newberry, Michigan — Graymont, one of North America’s leading lime and limestone producers, confirmed today that, subject to regulatory approvals, it intends to move forward with a new limestone operation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Subject to required regulatory approvals, Graymont intends to resume quarry operations at the previously mined Hendricks Quarry site in Garfield Township. Limestone from the quarry will be hauled by truck to the Sand Products Dock on Lake Michigan.
This initial phase of the project is expected to create up to 50 direct jobs in local mining and transportation operations, plus up to 100 indirect jobs in the region. The Company expects to start shipping stone in 2015.
Graymont began the ‘Rexton Project’ with an application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) in November, 2013 for the purchase of State land. Following the application, Graymont engaged in extensive consultations with stakeholders interested in the land purchase.
“We are already a member of the Upper Peninsula business community with our Port Inland plant, near Gulliver, and we are looking forward to expanding our Michigan operations, thereby creating new jobs and generating additional economic spinoffs in the region,” stated Graymont CEO Stéphane Godin. “Area residents can rest assured that, having heard their concerns, we are committed to safeguarding the precious natural resources entrusted to our care by minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations, through strict adherence to best practices in crucial areas like responsible forest management, the preservation of ground-water quality and post-mining reclamation” Godin added. “Our vision is to be world class in everything we do.”
Paul Stoll Jr., Graymont Plant Manager at Port Inland and in charge of the Rexton Project, noted that the local population will continue to enjoy access to the Hendricks site for recreational purposes such as snowmobiling, hunting and fishing. He said the Company also is exploring opportunities to provide support for local community projects, in keeping with its commitment to be a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen everywhere it operates. Graymont intends to retain qualified local companies to handle forest-management operations on the quarry property and will endeavor to utilize area businesses for the procurement of other goods and services wherever possible.
Consultation with a broad spectrum of stakeholders is an integral part of Graymont’s approach to project planning and management. Going forward, the Company will continue to keep local residents informed of its plans and invite their input. In addition, a project information office is scheduled to open June 25, 2014, in Rexton.
Graymont is North America’s second largest supplier of lime and lime-based products with facilities across the United States and Canada, and has a significant investment in Grupo Calidra, the largest lime producer in Mexico.
For further information, contact:
Paul Stoll, Jr., Plant Manager, Port Inland
GRAYMONT
T +1 906 283-2900 × 1486
or
John Maitland, HSE Manager, Eastern US and Great Lakes Region
GRAYMONT
T +1 814 353-2106
Update 1
Graymont submitted an application to MDNR proposing an exchange of mineral rights involving areas in Hendricks and Trout Lake Townships. Further details of this mineral exchange are available on “The Project” section of this website.
Update 2
A Hydrology Report was completed by an external consultant reviewing the potential effect of the project on water. Please refer to the “FAQ” page of the website for more information on this report.
Update 3
Coming in June 2014 – A Rexton based project information office is under construction and scheduled to open in June of 2014.
Graymont hired a local Rexton resident as a point of contact to allow immediate face-to-face access to a representative to ask questions and discuss facts about the project.
Presented details of the updated project to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to clarify details of the project and listened to feedback from a number of attendees covering benefits and opportunities for the project that have contributed to our current project design.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land Exchange Review Committee (LERC) met for their regularly scheduled meeting.
When discussing the Rexton project, the LERC will table making a recommendation on this project until more information could be gathered and reviewed.
At the request of the League of Women Voters of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, Graymont presented details of the project at the Bayliss Library in Sault Ste. Marie.
Graymont received very good feedback on the project during this meeting that has allowed for further development of the project design.
During November we held a series of public meetings for several of the local townships where the Rexton Project is located.
During these sessions, we were able to provide key information, hear what people liked, and hear a few of the initial concerns about the project.