The “Rexton Project- Greymont” involves the sale of 10,178 acres of Michigan’s state owned land by the Michigan Department of Natural (MI DNR) resources. The MI DNR will be paid $4,537,029.00 by Greymont Inc. (a Canadian mining company) for land and mineral rights. 1,665 acres will be used to create a new strip mine. 7,026 acres will be used for a new underground mine. The remaining land would be used for mining support infrastructure. Greymont Inc. also plans to build a processing facility for mined limestone and dolomite. The land involved in this sale is mostly undeveloped forests in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This land sale would be the largest of its kind in Michigan State history, but there is strong public opposition. The MI DNR director Keith Creagh has signed off on this land transaction despite strong public opposition. We need the support of the petition to stop this sale of public land and the planned mining operations.

The land involved in this sale is mostly undeveloped forests in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the Hiawatha National Forest, Mackinac State Forest and Lake Superior State Forest. The land is prime habitat for wildlife and the proposed mining operations will threaten these animals including the fragile wolf population. Game hunting will be negatively impacted. The proposed mining operations are a high risk for water pollution. The abundant lakes and wetlands in the mining area are maintained by a high elevation water table. These wetland support wildlife and drain into the Great Lakes. Private drinking water wells will be impacted by the mining operations. Once the forest is cleared for strip mining and mining support infrastructure it will take years to regrow these forests and for the wildlife to be reestablished.

The mining operations will negatively impact the quality of life for those living nearby including small family farms. Noise, air and light pollution from mining operations and the resultant dust is a significant concern. The land is used for many recreation activities.  Citizens will lose access to some of our most treasured natural areas to hunt, camp, fish, hike, ride ORV’s and watch wildlife. Greymont Inc. will have the right to move some existing trails as it sees fit.  Many citizens have tribal harvest licenses for this land. Encroachment into the 1836 ceded territory and the 2007 Inland Consent Decree is a concern and is being litigated in federal courts. Greymont Inc. will have no competition in the area due to the unfair advantage this land sale will give them. An economic study needs to be completed on the negative impact to existing small businesses and private land owner property and mineral values.

If this land sale is stopped future generations will be able to enjoy these great forests. If this land sale goes through the forested land would be owned solely by extractive industry (Greymont) to maximize profits, Michiganders, such as myself, will lose access to some of our most treasured natural areas to hunt, camp, fish, hike, ride ORV’s and watch wildlife. Our children and grandchildren deserve to experience Michigan's forests, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas. Help us stop this bad idea from becoming a reality.