Genoa Township purchases 77-acre plot once earmarked for mining

GENOA TWP. — Several years ago, residents in Genoa Township pushed back against the state's plan to lease a former dump to a sand and gravel mining operation, then a seed orchard.

Residents' ultimately succeeded, convincing officials with the Department of Natural Resources to scrap the plans in 2021. Neighboring residents were also frustrated officials had clear cut trees without first informing the township. One adjacent resident installed a protest sign and rallied neighbors to mobilize. Hundreds flooded an informational meeting at Brighton High School in October 2021.

In a recent turn of events, Genoa is set to purchase the 77-acre site on the south side of Brighton Road east of Chilson Road. Trustees voted Monday, July 1, to purchase the land for more than $354,000.

Genoa Township Supervisor Bill Rogers said the space will be maintained "as a nature preserve."

"People can park there and enjoy a walk through the wilderness," he said.

The township is also monitoring contamination on the site. According to Rogers, a township engineer had doubts about whether it would be possible to provide clean drinking water, should it be sold to developers.

"He convinced us this is a good acquisition, so we're not putting anybody in jeopardy," Rogers said.

Officials aren't currently planning any park improvements. There are existing trails on the property.

The DNR's Forest Resources Division had originally intended to lease mineral mining rights for as many as 10 years, a method of leveling the hilly land to prepare it for a pine cone "seed orchard." They would have grown Jack Pine and Red Pine cones to support reforestation efforts in the state.

Local officials have expressed interest in purchasing the plot for years.

Environmental concerns include the former dump, which closed in 1971, and sodium, chloride and PFAs contamination from the defunct Oak Pointe Wastewater Treatment Plant, which shut down in 2015.

Rogers said contamination has "diminished" over time, but the township will continue to monitor levels.

Michael Wilczynski likes the idea of the land being used for recreation. Wilczynski is an environmental consultant who got involved in the community's pushback against the previous plan.

"As far as recreation, I doubt there is really any risk (from contamination) to people walking on the property," he said. "The biggest risk would be water. That's why that would be hard to develop."

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.