Springfield Township Planning Commission Meeting (9/23/2025)
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 the planning commission with updates and information regarding the proposal.
Unfortunately, the time slot of 3-minutes is very limiting and I was unable to provide a full public record of new information before running out of time. Below you will find a copy of the update I had prepared for the planning commission but was unable to complete.
“Good evening Commissioners,
My name is Kara Okonewski. I am a resident of Springfield Township and the owner of Oko Environmental, LLC. Oko Environmental has been an active part of the Township’s Fact-Finding Meeting process regarding the proposed mining operation on Ormond Road.
At present, Oko Environmental works exclusively on the Ormond Road mining proposal, with a focus on ensuring community education and access to clear, accurate information.
Oko Environmental has chosen to participate in the fact-finding meeting without compensation, independent of township funding and any escrow funds from Levy, to ensure that my contributions to the township and its residents remain rooted in scientific integrity and free from outside influence.
As part of the ‘fact-finding’ work, Supervisor Davis has coordinated a private tour in October of the Oxford Sand and Gravel mine with Oko Environmental, along with several members of STEP and private citizens at the Oxford Mine. The Oxford Mining operation is run by American Aggregates of Michigan, part of the Edward C. Levy Company’s extensive network of subsidiaries.
It is important to note that while Oxford is operated under American Aggregates, the proposed mine in Springfield Township is under Burroughs Materials Corporation, a “doing business as” entity of Falcon Trucking Company, another Levy subsidiary.
The upcoming Oxford tour is designed to provide firsthand understanding of active mining operations. The schedule includes a site introduction and safety orientation, followed by direct observation of dredging, dry mining, wash and crush plants, finished product testing, end uses of materials, and reclamation. The goal is to experience a large-scale mining operation, observing concerns such as noise, vibration, dust, truck traffic, and long-term land use, and many more.
Oko Environmental will take detailed notes and photographs during the tour, and I will prepare a written summary for the residents following the visit to ensure transparency and record-keeping.
The next Fact-Finding Meeting that includes independent experts and scientists will be held later this week to continue the process of bringing evidence-based information into the application discussion.
For anyone who has driven through the chaos of the M-59 road construction project in recent months, you may have noticed asphalt trucks on site this past week.
That blacktop was supplied by Cadillac Asphalt — a DBA of the Levy Company. This is a local example of how Levy operates through its vertically structured network: the company excavates, processes, and trucks the materials, then paves the finished product. It’s a full-circle example of how deeply involved Levy is from start to finish. The project itself was funded with state transportation dollars — taxpayer money.
When residents and township decision-makers understand the different names that Levy operates under and how those operations connect, it clarifies how mining, paving, and construction tie together — and how those choices may affect local land, water, roads, and budgets.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to continuing to provide updates as new information becomes available.”
