Michigan Supreme Court Sends Van Horn Ski Lake Case Back to Appellate Court for Review

The Michigan Supreme Court has remanded the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance appeal of the permits issued for the Van Horn Ski Lake by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to Michigan’s Court of Appeal for consideration. 

Since August 2022, the Coastal Alliance has sought a full evidentiary hearing of all of the actions of EGLE with regard to its decisions to grant a sand dune mining permit to Chad and Jenny Van Horn and not enforce the state’s pond regulations related to their ski lake and sand mine in Saugatuck Township, as well as the impact on the environment and natural resources of Michigan under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The Administrative Law Judge’s denial of our request for the hearing was upheld by the Circuit Court, and the Court of Appeals when it denied leave to appeal. In April 2024, the Alliance filed an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s October 30 decision effectively requires the Court of Appeal to hear our appeal as if they had granted leave – or permission – to appeal.

The Court of Appeals has set December 26, 2024, as the Coastal Alliance’s deadline for filing its brief.

Learn more about the Van Horn Ski Lake here.

Stay tuned for updates.