Protecting Our Investments in Our Community

The quiet beauty of wetlands

Please join me in signing a petition to block the building of a truck stop at the intersection of I-96 and Adams Street in Ottawa County. My rational follows, although there are plenty of other reasons to have this permit denied—as you will see from the petition site. If you are a resident of Michigan or have ever visited Michigan, please take a moment to help. The deadline is Friday, February 19th.

My note to the MDEQ:

Residents of Ottawa and Allegan County are investing significant time, money, and energy in Project Clarity, an initiative to restore the Macatawa watershed. Efforts include the protection of wetlands and natural areas that help filter phosphorous, fertilizers, and other contaminates from flowing freely into the Macatawa River and, ultimately, into Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. Destroying wetlands adjacent to the Macatawa River and replacing them with a large slab of asphalt with heavy oil and gas runoff flies in the face of all the community is trying to accomplish in improving the quality of our water. 

In addition, I actively support West Michigan’s vision for greenway trails connecting our communities. Such paths are an investment that increases our region’s appeal as an ideal place to live and raise a family. The paths help make our towns the perfect recreation destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. As such, I find it troubling that the MDEQ would consider allowing a truck stop to be built at the same intersection where the community spent over one million dollars creating the Adams Street Pedestrian Bridge. The rational behind the bridge was to make an already dangerous intersection safe for pedestrians and cyclists riding a non-motorized path that will one day connect Holland and Grand Rapids. To place a truck stop adjacent to the Pedestrian Bridge is dangerous and inconsistent with community investments in the area, which not only include the trail and bridge, but also Hawthorne Pond and the Adams Street Landing Park. 

Please deny this application. There is a truck stop at the very next I-96 intersection to the south. 

If you agree, please share this blog with friends and/or “like” this message on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mary.mckschmidt. The deadline is February 19th. Thank you! 

Petition Site: 
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/392/520/024/preserve-west-michigans-largest-watershed-now/ 

Or send a note to Audrie Kirk, MDEQ Environmental Quality Analyst, at [email protected].