Timeline: The Ormond Road Mine Proposal

This timeline is provided for informational purposes and was created to help residents better understand the history of the property, the Levy/BMC application, and related Springfield Township communications. It is important to Oko Environmental to document each item whenever possible; the far-right column includes links to original sources or additional information. If you notice an error or omission, please contact Oko Environmental directly at kara@okoenv.com.

DATEEVENTSOURCE / LINK
May 6, 2026Township Attorney, Greg Need, announces upcoming retirement on July 15, 2026 at Special Township meeting.[Pending Meeting Minutes]
April 29, 2026Planning Commission Meeting: Introduction of Project Manager Megan A. Masson-Minock of Carlisle Wortman. She is the new Project Manager for the application review and will be updating the community and Planning Commission members monthly at the Planning Commission Meetings.Planning Commission April 2026 Agenda Packet (Levy on agenda and update on pages 84-85)
April 23, 2026Oko Environmental, STEP, and several residents attended public RCOC board meeting. Two staff members confirmed permits for road testing for Class A – all seasons. RCOC Public Meeting on April 23, 2026
April 21, 2026On-site construction begins for high-capacity well. This will be used to test the aquifers during a drawdown test. Drawdown test dates unknown.Exploratory Well Construction Started
April 15, 2026Memo to Planning Commission from Megan Masson-Minock (Carlisle Wortman) with Levy UpdateCarlisle Wortman Update to Planning Commission (April 15, 2026)
April 9, 2026Springfield Township Board approves review estimate by Ramboll Consulting $81,000.00Springfield Township Board Meeting 4/9/26 Agenda Item
April 8, 2026Fact-Finding Committee Meeting at Township to “formally initiate the review of the mining application and special land use request, and to establish structure, roles review procedures, and project management moving forward”.Carlisle Wortman Update to Planning Commission (April 15, 2026)
April 8, 2026Tyme Engineering and DLZ Engineering (hired by Levy) perform road boring of Ormond road [FOIA]Ormond Road Testing Today
March 23, 2026RCOC issued permit to Tyme Engineering for testing Ormond Road: “PERFORM TOTAL (7) PAVEMENT CORES/SOIL BORINGS ALONG ORMOND ROAD BETWEEN DAVISBURG ROAD AND BIG LAKE ROAD TO EVALUATE SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE EXISTING PAVEMENT SECTION MEETS ALL SEASON ROAD STANDARDS” [FOIA]RCOC Permit #67767 to Tyme Engineering
March 12, 2026Springfield Township Board of Trustees terminates Giffels Websiter Planning Contract, approves Carlisle Wortman for Planning services Springfield Township Board Meeting 3/12/26 Agenda Item
March 12, 2026Residents Notice pink stakes and survey tape along Ormond Road – No update from Township.Pink Stakes Rising on Ormond
February 24, 2026RCOC Approved permit to Tyme Engineering (Levy Contractor) to test Ormond Road for reclassification. [FOIA]RCOC Permit to Tyme Engineering
February 12, 2026Mining Expert Mike Wilczynski of Pangea Environmental, LLC Resigns from Review Process.Pangea Email to Township
February 12, 2026Ric Davis (Twp Supervisor) attempted to have Kara Okonewski of Oko Environmental removed by Sheriff Deputies during public comment.Springfield Township Board Meeting Video Clip Here
February 2, 2026Tyme Engineering (hired by Levy to test Ormond Road) applies for permit: “Perform pavement cores and soil borings along Ormond Road between Davisburg Road and White Lake Road to evaluate
subsurface conditions and determine whether the existing pavement section meets All-Season Road standards.”
Tyme Engineering Application to RCOC for Ormond Road Testing
January 27, 2026Kara Okonewski from Oko Environmental resigns from Springfield Township Fact-Finding CommitteeResignation Letter
January 27, 2026Springfield Township Planning Commission Meeting ‘New Business – Review of Expert Work Product’ Supervisor Davis gave packet of emails to Planning Commissioners regarding experts of Pangea Environmental and Agate Harbor Advisors. Trustee Kevin Sclesky says Mike Wilczynski of Pangea Environmental didn’t provide any ‘deliverables‘. Planning Commission recommends to terminate both Mike Wilczynski, Pangea Environmental, and Brian O’Mara, Agate Harbor Advisors contracts. A Letter to Correct the Record
January 21, 2026Oko Environmental sent email to Supervisor Ric Davis regarding concerns about his ‘Scope of Work’ for independent experts.Response to ‘Scope of Work’
January 21, 2026Springfield Township website update: Property Market Value Study from LevyMarket Study for Levy
January 9, 2026Springfield Township Update: Reuben Maxbauer of Levy sent a memo to Springfield Township about the upcoming installation of exploratory well for aquifer testing and firefighter use.Aquifer Tests – Timing is Key
January 8, 2026Supervisor Ric Davis introduces ‘Scope of Work’ for Independent Experts.Response to ‘Scope of Work’
January 2026Supervisor Ric Davis posted public ‘survey’ for evaluation of environmental consulting firms FVeng and Ramboll. Exact Day Unknown.Consultant Evaluation Screenshot Document
Opinion vs. Evaluation Post
December 9, 2025Levy’s consultant Lyons Well Drilling (LWD, Inc.) received permit approval from Oakland County for test well #2.Oakland County On-site Well #2 Permit EHW-2025-00753
December 5, 2025Levy’s consultant Lyons Well Drilling (LWD, Inc.) received permit approval from Oakland County for test well #1. Oakland County On-site Well #1 Permit EHW-2025-00750
November 21, 2025Fact Finding Committee – Expert Interview: Ramboll Consulting FirmRamboll Interview Minutes
November 19, 2025Fact Finding Committee – Expert Interview: Atwell Consulting Consulting FirmAtwell Interview Minutes
November 19, 2025Fact Finding Committee – Expert Interview: Fleis and VenderBrink (FVeng) Consulting FirmFVeng Interview Minutes
November 6, 2025Mike Wilczynski of Pangea Environmental sends interim Report to Ric Davis and Gerry FischerNovember 6, 2025 Pangea Interim Report
November 3, 2025Fact Finding Committee Meeting: Presentations by Pangea Environmental and Agate Harbor Advisors. Trustee Kevin Sclesky announces Supervisor Ric Davis will not be attending FFC meetings from here forward.FFC: Meeting Minutes November 3, 2025
October 16, 2025Fact Finding Committee Meeting: Traffic Meeting with Levy, Fishbeck, Road Commission for Oakland County, Giffels Webster EngineeringFFC: Meeting Minutes October 16, 2025
October 4, 2025Resident Tour of the Levy’s Oxford Mine Report: The Oxford/Ray Road Mine Tour by Levy
October 1, 2025Springfield Township $150,000 Escrow Account funded by Levy for Independent Review of Application MaterialsSpringfield Township & Levy Escrow Agreement
September 30, 2025Fact Finding Committee – Expert Interview: Triterra EnvironmentalTriterra Interview Minutes
September 25, 2025Fact Finding Committee Meeting: Independent Experts Pangea Environmental – Mike Wilczynski & Agate Harbor Advisors – Brian O’MaraFFM: September 25, 2025
September 8, 2025Sierra Club Michigan Chapter sends official letter to township in opposition of proposalSierra Letter to Township: Opposition to Proposed Gravel Mine
August 26, 2025Fact Finding Committee Meeting: Ric Davis (Twp Supervisor) provides ‘Plan of Direction for Review of Levy Application’Memorandum: Plan of Direction for Review of Levy Application
August 25, 2025Michigan Natural Features Inventory send official letter of concern to TownshipMichigan Natural Features Inventory: Official Letter
August 14, 2025Ric Davis (Twp Supervisor) announces official pause of Levy Application at Township Board Meeting.Township Board Meeting Minutes for August 14, 2025
July 15, 2025Rose Township send official letter of concern to TownshipRose Township: Official Letter
July 10, 2025Gerry Fischer gives public presentation about the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, and the legal aspects of reviewing a sand and gravel SLUP application.Presentation for 7-10-2025 by Gerald A. Fisher
July 9, 2025Supervisor Ric Davis meets with RCOC to discuss increasing gravel road maintenance from every 8 years to every 4 years, as well as operating conditions for proposed mine.Springfield Township Appears in 2025 RCOC Strategic Planning Report
July 2025Supervisor Ric Davis pauses the Levy/BMC SLUP application process (specific date unknown).Email from Greg Need to Gerald Fisher
June 24, 2025White Lake Township sends official letter of concern to TownshipWhite Lake Township: Official Letter
June 24, 2025Great Lakes Environmental Law Center sends official letter of Concern to TownshipGreat Lakes Environmental Law Center: Official Letter
June 23, 2025Holly Area Schools Board of Education sends official letter of concern to TownshipHolly Area Schools Board of Education: Official Letter
June 17, 2025Smithgroup Final Site Plan Review Submittal to Springfield TownshipSmithgroup Final Site Plan Review
June 12, 2025Springfield Township engages special counsel Gerry FisherEngagement for Special Counsel Contract – Gerald Fisher
June 9, 2025Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy sends official letter of concern to TownshipBlue Heron Headwaters Conservancy: Official Letter
June 9, 2025Springfield Township General Counsel Greg Need gives official opinion regarding review of application pursuant to mining ordinance… “the applicant has provided sufficient information for consideration of the application pursuant to the Section 12.80 of the Mining Ordinance”Counsel Greg Need Official Opinion Regarding the Review of Applicant Pursuant to Mining Ordinance
May 29, 2025Reuben Maxbauer, Levy, emailed Ric Davis FAQ and Levy Timeline information to post on Springfield Township Website (This information was later removed as Oko Environmental and Pangea Environmental informed Ric Davis of potential bias).Email FOIA – Levy to Township FAQ and Timeline
May 27, 2025Mining and Reclamation Proposal Presentation by Levy to Planning Commission at Public MeetingMining and Reclamation Proposal Presentation
May 19, 2025Supplemental letter from Smithgroup Re: Burroughs Materials Corporation (“Applicant” or “BMC”) Application for a Conditional Use Permit and
Mining Permit (“Application”) for a proposed sand and gravel mining operation (“Project”)
Smithgroup: Burroughs Materials Co. [Levy] Application Supplement (May 19, 2025)
May 19, 2025Giffels Webster Site Plan Review submitted to Springfield Township Planning CommissionGiffels Webster: Site Plan & Special Land Use Review
May 17, 2025Barr Engineering submitted Natural Resource Characterization and Potential Impacts Summary of the site to Reuben Maxbauer of LevyBarr Engineering: Natural Resources Characterization and Potential Impacts Summary of Potential Mine
May 16, 2025BMC submitted ‘Project Description’ to Township (states 238 +/- acres within mining area)Burroughs Material Corp: Project Description
May 1, 2025Email from Julia Upfal (Giffels Webster) to Ric Davis, Sean Miller, and Christine Rogers. Julia says this is a tight timeline for reviews, and says that the ordinance requires a pre-application meeting with planner and engineer BEFORE initial review. “In the future, we should make sure not to skip this.” Email FOIA – Giffels Webster to Township on May 1, 2025
April 29, 2025Reuben Maxbauer Email to Ric Davis “Thank you for sharing your deadline with us”. This confirms Ric Davis set the April 29, 2025 deadline for Levy to submit their application. Email also discusses gravel supply to Township and high capacity well negotiation. Reuben notes that if there is public pushback, they will pull application, and reapply in a year or twos time.Email FOIA – Levy to Township re: Deadline
April 29, 2025Stephen Zausmer of Zausmer law firm submits official application to Springfield Township Planning Commission Chair & Ric Davis, supervisors.Levy/BMC Application Letter by Zausmer
March 6, 2025Ric Davis send Reuben Maxbauer the Springfield Township Mining Ordinance paperwork.Email FOIA – Forward Mining Ordinance to Levy
February 25, 2025Ormond Property: Discharge of Mortgage (Holder JPMorgan Chase)Ormond Property: Discharge of Mortgage (Holder JPMorgan Chase)
January 16, 2025Reuben Maxbauer (Levy) emailed Ric Davis (Twp Supervisor) – “Thank you for initiating”Email FOIA – Levy ‘Thank you for Initiating’
January 14, 2025Email from Ric Davis (Twp Supervisor) to Reuben Maxbauer (Levy) “Thank you for today’s productive conversation” – Re – negotiated reduction in gravel costs, cost effective bulk pricing for Township useEmail FOIA – ‘Thank you for today’s productive conservation’
September 17, 2012Ormond Property: UCC Financing Statement, debtor Falcon Trucking Company (Secured JPMorgan)Ormond Property: UCC Financing Statement, debtor Falcon Trucking Company (Secured JPMorgan)
May 14, 2012Ormond Property: Discharge of Mortgage (Holder Comerica Bank)Ormond Property: Discharge of Mortgage (Holder Comerica Bank)
May 14, 2012Ormond Property: Continuing Collatoral Mortgage (Lender JPMorgan)Ormond Property: Continuing Collatoral Mortgage (Lender JPMorgan)
September 29, 2006Ormond Property: Continuing Collatoral Mortgage (Lender Commerce Bank)Ormond Property: Continuing Collatoral Mortgage (Lender Commerce Bank)
October 18, 2005Expiration of DEQ Wetland Delineation ReportDEQ Wetland Delineation Report
October 18, 2002DEQ Wetland Delineation Report, Identified 19 regulated wetlands, and 1 regulated lake (9.15 acres) DEQ Wetland Delineation Report
March 31, 1999Ormond Property: Warranty Deed to Edw C. Levy Co., Grantor David Henry Field, purchase amount $996,000Ormond Property: Warranty Deed to Edw C. Levy Co., Grantor David Henry Field
May 24, 1989This 1989 Memorandum of Land Contract shows that David Henry Field, Trustee, sold approximately 482 acres of property to Max Sheldon through a land contract signed on May 24, 1989. A land contract means the buyer typically makes payments over time while the seller retains legal title until the contract terms are fulfilled. This document is evidence of a property sale arrangement, but it does not by itself provide the full terms of the contract or prove when title fully transferred.Ormond Property: Memorandum of Land Contract
January 19, 1988This 1988 Farmland Development Rights Agreement enrolled portions of property in Springfield Township and Rose Township, Oakland County, into Michigan’s PA 116 Farmland and Open Space Preservation program. The agreement restricted the listed land to agricultural use and compatible uses, limiting residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational development during its 20-year term from January 1, 1977 through December 31, 1996. While this document does not by itself prove the land is still protected today, it shows the property was formally recognized and preserved as agricultural land.Ormond Property: Farmland Development Rights Agreement
September 15, 1987This 1987 Quit Claim Deed shows that David Field, a single man, transferred whatever ownership interest he held in certain Springfield Township property to David Henry Field, Trustee of the David Henry Field Trust. The deed describes property in Section 19, T4N, R8E, Springfield Township, Oakland County, including the south part of the southwest quarter and the south part of the northwest half of the southeast quarter, and was signed on September 15, 1987. A quit claim deed transfers the grantor’s interest without guaranteeing the title history, so this document is primarily evidence of a transfer of interest rather than proof of clean or complete ownership.Ormond Property: Quit Claim Deed