Jurisdiction: Powell Township, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
CLC’s client, Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS), is a grassroots organization formed in 2020 after the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) announced its ill-conceived plans to construct a rocket launch site on the pristine shores of Lake Superior near the City of Marquette, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The launch site would destroy critical habitat for endangered and threatened species, harm wildlife and aquatic life from sonic booms, pose a safety hazard to residents and tourists from explosions and falling rocket debris, and would lead to industrialization of this untouched wilderness area. To prevent this, we filed a Petition on behalf of CSCLS and more than 200 local residents with the local Township where MAMA proposed to build the launch site. The Petition provided extensive legal analysis and opinion demonstrating that the Township’s zoning ordinance prohibits such an industrial, destructive land use and, therefore, any application for zoning approval (which had not been submitted) should be denied. As a result of our Petition and CSCLS members and citizens’ advocacy, the Township Board passed a formal Resolution making clear that it agrees—effectively putting an end to MAMA’s plans.
Supporting Documents
