Month: March 2026

Hidden Ridge Tour

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Hidden Ridge conservation easement in Springfield Township with Emily Duthinh of Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy. What I saw was years of dedicated stewardship including removing invasive species, restoring native habitat, and carefully protecting this land. The Conservancy and the residents of the Hidden Ridge community have
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Wetlands on Ormond Road Site

Wetlands are some of the most important and often misunderstood parts of our landscape. On the proposed sand and gravel mining site along Ormond Road in Springfield Township, they are also one of the most significant environmental features. According to the submitted site plan and wetland delineation performed in 2002, the property contains dozens of
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Pink Stakes Rising on Ormond

Have you noticed the bright pink stakes appearing along the shoulder of Ormond Road? Recently, residents have observed a series of survey stakes placed at intervals along the roadway. Several of these markers are labeled with markings such as “SB-02.” The map below shows approximate locations where survey stakes have been observed, marked by blue
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Need & Value vs. Very Serious Consequences

Professional geologist and mining expert Mike Wilczynski, CPG, and Jim Brouwer developed this paper for the Homestead Inland Joint Planning Commission, where it was presented on March 6, 2020. It explains an important concept in Michigan mining law known as “Need and Value vs. Very Serious Consequences.” As Springfield Township evaluates the proposed sand and
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