GRAYLING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – It’s been more than a month since we’ve heard any updates on the Camp Grayling expansion from Interim Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Shannon Lott. Back in the beginning of March, she had finally commented about the issue, about nine months after the DNR had originally announced the Michigan National Guard’s proposal to expand Camp Grayling for additional training. In the meantime, Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) has introduced a resolution to stop it.

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When asked if she supported the expansion, Lott had told Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), “We’re looking at other ways to help them do the training exercises they need to do” and went on to say that the National Guard “doesn’t need the 162,000 acres of land” they requested. She implied that a deal is still being worked out and commented further by saying, “We’ve been very clear about cyber testing, making sure that’s really the only thing they need. And there’s really only a few days a year when they need to do that. So we’re going to dwindle it down to some of those really specific times they need to do that.”

Michigan News Source reached out the the DNR for an update on the Camp Grayling expansion and Ed Golder, Public Information for the Michigan DNR, said, “We don’t have any additional information at this time. We did recently consult with tribal governments regarding the matter. We continue to evaluate the proposal. There is no definite timeline for a decision, but we hope to provide more information to the public soon.”

Camp Grayling is the largest National Guard training facility in the country and the Michigan National Guard had asked to lease an additional 162,000 acres of public land (more than 253 square miles) from the DNR to expand the area for low impact training, electronic warfare training and cyber training.

Camp Grayling had asked for a short-term 20-year lease agreement to be reviewed annually. They said the proposal would benefit the community in two ways: “Federal resources will increase for conservation, invasive species management, sensitive habitats, river health and fire prevention” and “enhanced pride and patriotism having one of the largest and most capable four-season training centers in the nation that places equal emphasis on protecting the precious lands which we all enjoy.”

Although Lott has expressed an interest in reducing the footprint of the expansion, many of the individuals and groups opposing the deal don’t want any expansion at all. Bear Lake Township Trustee Jim Knight says, “We believe it can be done on the properties they have now. We just don’t see any reason why it needs to expand.”

The issue became controversial for many reasons, one of which being the suspicion that Camp Grayling would use the expansion to ramp up private industry tests, research and development of products that the base is currently already allowing.

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Since the proposal was announced, many citizens, local governments and environmental groups have come out opposing the expansion including the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division who cautioned the agency mostly because of past PFAs contamination.

Expansion of the opposition has continued and includes the conservation groups Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited and Anglers of the Au Sable. Amy Trotter, MUCC Executive Director said in January at a quarterly meeting of the MUCC that state-owned lands should “remain protected, open and used for the purposes intended, like hunting, fishing, trapping and recreating.”

In addition to the many governments opposing the plan, Huron Daily Tribute also reported recently that Sanilac County commissioners voted 6-1 against the expansion and that as of April 4th, there are 57 local governments that expose the expansion, covering 10 counties. In addition, about 287 elected officials have voted and opposed the issue.

Earlier in February, Rep. Borton, along with a group of legislators, had sent Gov. Whitmer a letter, urging her to “carefully consider genuine concerns” regarding the expansion on the state-owned land. Because of the opposition to the expansion and his own concerns about the project, Rep. Borton introduced House Resolution 71 on Wednesday urging the Michigan DNR to block the Camp Grayling expansion.

Borton said in a statement about the April 12th resolution, “I’m extremely proud to represent a district containing many of our state’s finest natural resources. These natural resources, which are vital to the well-being of folks in Northern Michigan, don’t grow on trees. If Gov. Whitmer listened to locals about this planned expansion, she would know firsthand the genuine problems the project may cause, and the hardships it would bring them. My constituents are concerned, and their governor isn’t listening to them, nor does she seem to recognize the potential ramifications on the expansion. We must not risk the longevity of the environmental health of Michigan.”

He continued, “I have the utmost respect for the military, and completely understand the need for continued exercise – this is simply not the right location for such a massive expansion. This plan has the potential to threaten the health and safety of the people of Northern Michigan. I have heard my constituents loud and clear, who sent me to Lansing to protect our air, water, wildlife, and all resources of our great state from contamination, and devastation. Instead of ignoring this significant matter, the governor must listen to the voices of Northern Michiganders – not just those in her own backyard.”

The resolution is a statement and not a binding law and it has been referred to the House Committee on Military, Veterans and Homeland Security.