Sargent Sands: Draw A Line in the Sand?

[XLFD]

In October, Mlive reported on Sargent Sands:  A Michigan mining company has filed for another five-year permit renewal to extract sand from dunes next to Ludington State Park amid high-level talks about selling the property to the state.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, the state received the permit application from Sargent Minerals Ludington LLC, or Sargent Sand, which has resumed "active discussions" with Michigan Department of Natural Resources about selling the 372-acre mine, which the DNR has long-desired to fold into the park.

The company, headquartered in Midland, is owned by Fran Sargent, whose father started the 98-year-old Sargent Sand Co. in Saginaw in 1918.

The company has been criticized by environmentalists and dune preservation advocates for selling Lake Michigan sand dunes to the oil and gas industry, which uses the sand for hydraulic oil well fracking in Pennsylvania.

Neighbors say the demand for fracking sand has increased mining noise.

Last week, company representatives confirmed Sargent Sand and the DNR resumed talks roughly a decade after the last DNR attempt to buy the mine.

Officials at the DEQ say they are obligated to renew the permit another five years if the company is complying with Michigan's dune mining law and the license rules. State law requires Sargent renew it's permit on a regular 5-year cycle.

The application covers 372 acres.

"Mining operations will continue as will discussions with the DNR regarding their desire to obtain more of the Sargent land holding for possible future expansion of the Ludington State Park," said Phil Johnson of Lakeshore Environmental, a consultant representing Sargent Sands.

The mine tract extends north into Ludington State Park from M-116. The company has sold or gifted land parcels to the DNR in the past.

Last night, the DEQ held a public hearing on the renewal of the permit, WMOM reports: 

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Sands of our Sargent. Chairs had to be pulling into the community room last night to accommodate those in attendance at the Sargent Sands Public Hearing on their permit renewal. Attendees were provided a packet of frequently asked questions from Sargent Sands. There was a general consensus that Sargent Sands has worked hard to be a good neighbor to locals and the community. Some going as far as saying that there is little evidence that Sargent Sands will not be good stewards of the land in the future. Multiple citizens requested an updated environmental impact study that would be done by a 3rd party.

Others expressed concern regarding the renewability of sand and the environmental impact on natural ecosystems. Noise was brought up multiple times, some by those who say they can hear the mining operation, and others who say they cannot. Still others focused on the impact of the truck traffic on noise pollution as well as concern regarding pedestrian traffic being hurt by a vehicle. Brian Brink, owner of Brink Farms, expressed support for Sargent Sands, explaining that 15-20 families are supported through his trucking business due to the company. He also stressed that they review GPS data to ensure his truckers are not speeding and that an inspection of the sealed trailers are required before leaving the site.

Supervisor for permitting and technical services section for the Department of Environmental Quality office of Oil, Gas and Minerals, Adam Wygant said, "I was pleased that everyone had a space to make their comments. We heard some pro mining type comments as well as comments that requested denial of the permit and exactly why. Every time we've engaged this community, they've been very gracious and it's been very civil. I think that the department got what they wanted to get out and what the citizens asked for."

Due to the amount of citizen responses, it is not expected to have the renewal approved before the end of the year. Additional public comments can be emailed to [e-mail] and will remain open until Friday, December 16th."

Since the company amped up its operations recently because of fracking operations in Pennsylvania inflating the sand market dramatically, a local group consisting of neighbors and other with interests in the use of this land has sprung up called The Ludington Dunes Conservancy. 

If you feel strongly one way or the other about this permit, please contact the DEQ and leave your thoughts in the comments section here at the Ludington Torch. 

[XLFD]

My viewpoint is that the DEQ should approve the permit, Sargent Sands should responsibly sand mine the area as it has been, and the MI DNR should continue to remain interested in the property to eventually purchase it when Sargent makes the decision to sell.  Once the sand is mostly mined, it will be of little value to Sargent, the price they will want for it would be low, and the acreage would probably be of more interest to park visitors than it would be now.

[John Doe Jr]

Nothing beats walking from state park to 1st curve through the dunes. Over every hill is a new view. The Hills are what make the Dunes magical. Keep the hills!!! The flat areas actually aid in destroying other hills as the dunes are ever changing.

[John Doe Jr]

There was a plot map drawn up in the 70's I believe to connect lower Hamlin to Lake Michigan. Not sure if that was scrapped or still exists.

[XLFD]

Not sure about that, but here's a map of the lands that Sargent Sands currently owns and has donated in the past.  After they pull out from their mining, I presume they will leave behind lakes and hills.

[Willy]

My understanding is that once Sargent finishes mining the sand they will then develop lots around the small lake they are creating. I doubt Michigan will be able to match the asking price Sargent will come up with. During the last round of talks the State offered Sargent a price that was determined by an independent appraiser but Sargent wanted much more. I assumed they donated some of their land to the State because they were caught mining over a million dollars worth of sand off Ludington State park land years ago.

[XLFD]

I haven't heard that sort of planned development of the mining area, but it would be eminently profitable to do so and make the value of the land increase dramatically if they should decide to do that.  Could be a future mini-Epworth Heights.

[stump]

I heard the same thing about 2 years ago about the planed development around a small lake that was being made from the sand removal. I say let the developer build it , tax the hell out of them for the high dollar houses. But the way things go, the state will give them tax breaks and we'll end up paying for it. The state doesn't need to spend our tax dollars on sand waist land.