Local environmentalists see a threat to wetlands and open space. Coming up with a clever, alliterative name, the volunteers band together and draft a millage proposal to purchase Independence Township land for safekeeping.
The group is Gravel Isn’t Green, and the year, 1979.
An entry in ‘A Look Back,? Aug. 27 edition of The Clarkston News prompted a response linking this year’s Independence Goes Green group with the 25-year-old effort.
‘It’s really the same interests,? said township resident and attorney Gerald Fisher. He was active in both millage efforts.
‘We recognized the degree to which developers wanted to take away our natural areas, our open spaces, would have a huge impact on the character of the community.?
From 1979-1983, township officials and residents fought against a plan by the Edward C. Levy Co. of Detroit to gravel mine 500 acres of what is now Independence Oaks County Park.
‘The history associated with this mining plan, and the township’s unflagging response to it, are important to bear in mind as the planning and development of the township now continues,? Fisher said.
According to a Sept. 19, 1979, story in The Clarkston News, Levy attorneys said the project would have included environmental safeguards and restorations.
The Levy Company is a well-run business providing a needed resource ? however, outside experts who examined the proposal at the time, said the mining would have destroyed a large expanse of the wetlands, Fisher said.
‘This whole area would have been industrialized, heavy industry,? he said. ‘There would have been a gravel pit in the wetland. It would have destroyed everything in the area.?
Trucks would probably still be hauling gravel down Clarkston and Sashabaw roads, he said.
‘It would have changed the character of everything ? it mobilized the people,? he said. ‘Many individuals and groups worked tirelessly to protect the township.?
About 72 percent of voters approved the 1979 millage proposal, 0.3 mils over five years, expected to collect about $350,000.
The money was intended to purchase about 80 acres of Levy property.
This year’s effort is not in response to a particular project like in 1979, instead directed against general development.
‘Open space is so significant,? Fisher said. ‘Easy properties are developed first, the more difficult ones are developed last. That’s where we are now. If you fill it all in, you lose the character of the area ? that’s what attracted people to the area in the first place.?