Author: Kara

Last night, I attended the Township meeting with the intention of communicating my concerns in a respectful and thoughtful manner. I was interrupted several times by Supervisor Davis during my public comment. As a result, my concluding sentence went several seconds over my allotted 3 minutes. I was attempting to let the board members know

Springfield Township posted correspondence dated January 9, 2026, from Reuben Maxbauer (Government & Real Estate Relations for Levy) regarding the planned installation of an exploratory well. As discussions continue around the proposed sand and gravel mining operation, the term aquifer is frequently referenced. With test well installation expected soon, this is an important opportunity to

Township statements claiming that the retained experts produced “no deliverables” at recent Township meetings are false and directly contradicted by the public record. Despite clear, on-the-record acknowledgments that the experts completed a preliminary review and submitted written identification of data gaps, Township leadership publicly told residents and the Planning Commission that the experts had produced

Same Data, Different Picture:How the Resource Protection Overlay District Got Lost in Plain Sight One of the most important environmental designations on this site is the Resource Protection Overlay District. It identifies areas where development and disturbance are restricted due to sensitive natural features (such as wetlands, lakes, etc.). In theory, this designation should be

The recent survey sent out by Springfield Township Supervisor, Ric Davis, on evaluating possible environmental consulting firms to review the BMC/Levy SLUP permit application has been framed as a way to ‘give residents a voice in this process’. That narrative is echoed by Davis supporters as a way for residents to provide their ‘opinions &

The Township Supervisor has recently posted on the township website a public survey in the form of a Consultant Evaluation Worksheet related to the selection of an independent environmental and engineering consultant for review of the proposed mining project. According to the survey, the purpose of this worksheet is to gather individual perspectives and identify

Date: January 28, 2026 To: Springfield Township Supervisor Ric Davis; Springfield Township Board of Trustees; Springfield Township Planning Commission; Members of the Fact-Finding Committee; Springfield Township Counsel, Greg Need; Special Counsel, Gerald Fischer; Springfield Township Residents From: Kara Okonewski, Springfield Township Resident, Member of the Fact-Finding Committee,  To the Officials and Residents of Springfield Township, I

The word ‘transparency’ has been used a lot in this process, but it’s important to pause and consider what it truly means. Transparency isn’t just about information being shared; it’s about information being accessible, complete, and independently verifiable. That kind of transparency can be an uncomfortable process because it invites questions, differing interpretations, and multiple

Springfield Township Supervisor, Ric Davis, introduced a ‘Scope of Work’ for the Review of Levy’s application materials and studies at the January 8, 2026 Township Board Meeting. The Township will implement the ‘Supervisor-initiated, legally reviewed framework’ for the Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) application using a ‘structured approach‘. The stated goal is to ensure the

Springfield Township has released its Township Board Meeting agenda for 1/8/26. Under new business, you’ll see: “1. Burroughs Gravel Mine Application Review” [Click here to view the agenda] Before attending the meeting, it would be good to review current information and updates regarding the Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) application Burroughs Material Corp. (BMC/Levy) submitted

As 2025 comes to an icy close and we look ahead to 2026, I’d like to propose a New Year’s Resolution to add to your list. Don’t worry! It requires no subscription, no contract, and no payment. It only needs an open mind and a few moments of attention whenever something new comes into view.

It has been a snowy start to winter, and with the holidays around the corner, the white landscape is certainly setting the mood. I’ve been studying environmental science and teaching the public about the natural world for nearly fourteen years, and winter ecology remains one of my favorite subjects. While snow-covered hills and frozen lakes

Prairie fens are some of Michigan’s rarest and most ecologically valuable wetlands. They often look calm and self contained, grassy ,open, and quietly beautiful. But beneath the surface they rely on a complex long distance relationship with groundwater that can extend for miles. Prairie fens and groundwater relationship status: It’s complicated. What Is a Prairie

It’s official: humans have become the planet’s most powerful force of erosion. “Mining landscapes… are responsible for more sediment production than paved road construction, house construction, and agriculture, which, in combination, produce more sediment than natural processes.” (Mossa & James, 2022) According to geomorphologists, human activity now shifts over 300 billion tons of earth and

Community Update: Springfield Township Public Meetings & Participation Are you feeling ‘meeting fatigued’? You’re not alone. Many people are. The residents of Springfield Township and surrounding area have all worked hard to stay involved in the review process for the proposed Levy mine, and your presence and voices have already made a real difference. Right

We’ve added a new page to help break down the basics of the proposed mining operation for Ormond Road in Springfield Township, MI. This page provides a simple overview of what’s being proposed, including the type of mining planned, the location, and key details that residents should be aware of. It’s a starting point for

The Springfield Township Planning Commission monthly meeting held on September 23, 2025 did not have any information or updates on the Levy/BMC mining proposal. This is expected since the special land use permit is paused for further independent investigation. Part of Oko Environmental’s work is to provide information to the public & decision-makers by addressing