- would not be appropriate or lawful; and,
- would be tantamount to illegal spot zoning; and,
- would be inconsistent with the Township Master Plan for current and future land use; and,
- that this planned heavy industrial use is legally prohibited.
Protecting Lake Superior’s Freshwater Coast by preventing that illegal rezoning plan has been the mission and driving force of our campaign at Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS).
Founded by people from Powell and Marquette Townships, in the past three years CSCLS has:
- investigated and exposed the harmful details of the rocket launch plan,
- provided public information regarding the launch plan locally, regionally, and in national media,
- mobilized public action at local events and organized letter writing campaigns,
- assisted in gathering over 26,000 signatures opposing the launch plan, and,
- appeared at Township/City/County meetings requesting official action against MAMA’s plan.
To achieve conclusive official action, CSCLS engaged the legal services of the Conservation Law Center (CLC) to assist a Big Bay resident, Phil Bakken, in filing a petition to amend the Township Zoning Ordinance to specifically prohibit spaceports/rocket launches at Granot Loma. That petition received supporting signatures of 176 other Powell Township residents and property owners, as well as 50 more people from adjacent townships.
After consulting with the Township attorney, Mr. Bakken and CSCLS and its attorneys agreed that an official Resolution by the Township would be more forceful and effective than a zoning amendment. Accordingly, the petition to amend was withdrawn and in its place the official Resolution was enacted.
Thanks to all of you who have supported this effort, and we hope you will continue to support our work defending the Superior shoreline.
Media Contact:
Senior Attorney Kim Ferraro
kimferra@iu.edu
