Please contact your state senator and ask them to vote no. This bill will significantly weaken existing local zoning ordinances related to the extraction of any natural resource. The bills would render zoning regulations which prevent the extraction of natural resources in any zone invalid unless “very serious consequences” can be proved to result from the proposed extraction.

House Bill 4746 (2011): This bill (substitute H-3) has now passed the Michigan House and has been sent to the Senate. The bill, if adopted, would amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to limit zoning authority over extraction of natural resources (mining) from property unless “very serious consequences” would occur. The bill would undo Kyser v. Kasson Twp. (488 Mich. 860; 788 N.W.2d 9; 2010 Mich. LEXIS 1898, September 14, 2010 [278 Mich. App. 743, 755 N.W.2d 190, 2008 Mich. App. (2008) July 15, 2010], see p2 of Selected Planning and Zoning Decisions: 2011 [http://web5.msue.msu.edu/lu/pamphlet/Blaw/SelectedPlan&ZoneDecisions2010-11.pdf]) The bill is now in the Senate committee on Natural Resources, Environment, and Great Lakes.

The bill amends section 205 of 206 PA 110 (MCL 125.3205) by adding a subsection (3):
“As set forth in Silva v Ada Township, 416 Mich 153, 330 NW2d 663 (1982), an ordinance shall not prevent the extraction, by mining, of valuable natural resources from any property unless very serious consequences would result from the extraction of those natural resources.”

SB0470 (2011): Is the same bill, but introduced in the Senate. This bill was referred to the Senate committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes.

Copy of introduced house bill:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billintroduced/House/pdf/2011-HIB-4746.pdf
Copy of the house bill, as passed by the house:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billengrossed/House/pdf/2011-HEBH-4746.pdf

Copy of introduced senate bill:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2011-SIB-0470.pdf

Summary of the house bill (June 15, 2011):
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billanalysis/House/pdf/2011-HLA-4746-1.pdf
Committee summary of the bill (June 22, 2011):
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2011-SFA-4746-S.pdf