Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – Legislation authored by State Senator Tom Casperson to stop imposition of unreasonable regulations on properties containing only stamp sands has been sent to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature.
Many areas in the western U.P. are covered with stamp sand, or crushed rock, that is a remnant of mining in the region.
Casperson says while the stamp sands may contain some metals, the rock itself does not present a public health risk, which has been publicly affirmed by the DEQ.
Under the measure, remediation can continue in areas that may contain contamination from other sources such as Torch Lake, and reasonable efforts such as planting vegetation on exposed stamp sands to prevent erosion or blowing sand can be taken.
Also, the legislation does not change regulations related to stamp sand effects on surface water.
Casperson says necessary regulations will still be in effect for truly contaminated properties, but U.P.communities should not be penalized for substances that are present in nature and which are not hazardous to public health.