Posted: October 6, 2018

SAND DUNE MINING IS ILLEGAL

“Sand dune mining” means the removal of sand from sand dune areas for commercial or industrial purposes, or both.”

The Padnos marina violates Part 637 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451.

Jeff Padnos, working as NorthShore of Saugatuck, wants to remove more than 200,000 tons of sand – 200,000 tons of sand would fill a football field 90 feet tall.

Recent permit applications show the proposed Padnos marina is “commercial,” though the developers initially asserted that the removal of sand was not for commercial purposes.

Removing sand from Michigan’s Critical Dunes was outlawed in 1999, except for digging foundations for homes.

Just upriver the developers have clear-cut a forested dune and prepared the area to “accept the spoils” from the proposed marina.

You can find Part 637 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 here. Part 637 defines sand dune mining.  These dunes are listed as a “Designated & Critical Sand Dune Area”.