Groveland Twp.-On Monday night the board of trustees voted 5-0 joining West Bloomfield Township along with other communities in Michigan supporting more local control over where gas and oil companies can locate drilling sites.
The township, along with other groups, would like to see one section of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act repealed. It reads: ‘A county or township shall not regulate or control the drilling, completion, or operation of oil or gas wells or other wells drilled for oil or gas exploration purposes and shall not have jurisdiction with reference to the issuance of permits for the location, drilling, completion, operation, or abandonment of such wells.?
‘Groveland Township is unique in that we have large tracts of state land,? said Bob DePalma, township supervisor.
‘If they want the resources from there, just drill on some of that state land. The drilling company can go out in the middle of some of the wilderness area rather than ruin some resident’s life. The way it is now someone has to have an oil derrick in their backyard making noise for three months or until they can cap the well.People should come first.?
‘I get it they don’t want to disrupt the deer and fauna,? he added. ‘Stick that drill in the middle of the woods somewhere off residents? land. If the natural gas goes under someone’s property that owner would still get the resources, just drill under their property.?
The trustees supported the resolution to repeal Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and added a provision.
‘Make the drilling company fix the roads when they are done,? added DePalma. ‘Why should residents put up with damaged roads from heavy trucks from the petroleum companies? Have some consideration for the residents who live nearby.?
Senator Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Twp., has introduced SB 1026, which would stipulate that in municipalities with populations of over 70,000 a potential well would have to be approved by a township supervisor and go through public hearings.
The township board urged lawmakers to consider expanding the proposed legislation to include all communities.
Julie Manson, Michigan Department of Natural Resources oil and gas division, reported no active leases on state-owned property in the township. However, she did not comment on privately owned leased land.