2/20/14 - Green Oak Township officials are still working against a proposed drilling operation that could come to their municipality, even though it does not appear that the controversial process of fracking will take place. It was brought to the township's attention earlier this month that an oil drilling permit had been requested for the area near Pleasant Valley Road and Grand River, but it was not known at the time whether the company making the request was planning on doing fracking in the area. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles says it now appears that fracking will not be part of the operation, but he is still concerned about the potential environmental impact of the drill. He says the Brighton Township Sewer Treatment Plant as well as Woodrow Creek, which flows into the Huron River, lie directly downhill from the proposed drill site, so any spills would spread to important water sources quickly. Additionally, the drill would be within 1,000 feet of the Fonda Island Briggs drinking water wells, which is within the wellhead protection area. Compounding these issues, a representative from the company has stated that the location is already geologically fractured, making it less suitable for a major drilling operation. St. Charles says he does not know why an oil company would even be interested in such an unsuitable and risky site for drilling, and the company has stated that even if it gets the permit to begin drilling it may not even bother doing so. Regardless, St. Charles has issued a letter to the state during the public comment period for the permit, listing the township's concerns with the proposed drilling operation. (TD)
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