Board votes no on resolution opposing military land use MOU

The Crawford County Board of Commissioners voted on Thursday not to approve a resolution opposing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs allowing the military “to conduct exercises on up to 52,000 acres of eligible land” via “limited land use permits.”

In January of 2023, the Crawford County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve a Resolution Opposing The Expansion Of Camp Grayling.

According to the resolution, the county board opposed the proposal because of constituent concerns and possible adverse effects on tourism, roads, the environment, and human health.

“The citizens of Crawford County depend on the public land that is available for those that live here and those that visit. The abundant rich forests and pristine rivers are critical to the economy and the enjoyment of all people. The increased activities and traffic associated with the proposed expansion will have significant and adverse impacts on our roads, our environment, and the natural habitat of the region,” according to the resolution.

“We hear the concerns of our constituents and believe that the proposed expansion of Camp Grayling will ultimately have an adverse impact on the health and general welfare of the citizens and the precious natural resources of Crawford County. The Crawford County Board of Commissioners oppose any proposed expansion of Camp Grayling,” according to the resolution.

In late April, the Department of Natural Resources “declined a proposed 20-year lease of approximately 162,000 acres of state forest land to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The DMVA had sought to lease the land, located around (Camp Grayling), to accommodate low-impact military training activities,” according to the DNR.

The possibility of having another resolution created to this time oppose the Memorandum of Understanding was on the board’s agenda for its regular meeting on Thursday, May 25.

Commissioner Dorothy A. Frederick (District #2) moved to have the board oppose the Memorandum of Understanding between the DNR and the DMVA via board resolution.

“I’ll support for discussion,” said Vice-Chair Phil Lewis (District #7).

Commissioner Frederick said the majority of the community says “not one more acre.” Commissioner Frederick said the military has not cleaned up PFAS contamination in the water, and she described the overall land request process as a “bait and switch,” asking for a “huge amount” in 162,000 acres and getting 52,000 acres.

“We didn’t get to have any kind of public comment on the (Memorandum of Understanding),” Commissioner Frederick said.

Some commissioners felt the board has already offered its opinion on the plan with its Resolution Opposing The Expansion Of Camp Grayling from January.

“I feel like we’ve already done this in a different resolution,” said Commissioner Jamie McClain (District #4).

Commissioner Frederick said the board should approve another resolution to “demonstrate to the constituents that we did something.”

“I think we need to keep the pressure on,” Commissioner Frederick said.

“I’m torn with this,” said Commissioner Lewis.

Commissioner Lewis said people are not going to want to hike and “enjoy nature” in an area where the military is conducting exercises, but the situation is similar to “logging operations” and the military would use the land according to the “same standards as anyone else.”

Commissioner Frederick said there is “no one to oversee” the military activity. Commissioner Lewis said DNR conservation officers can provide oversight.

Commissioner Frederick raised concerns the military could use the land for “testing weapons” and the “consequences” of that testing on the environment and living things is unknown.

“Are they testing weapons?” Commissioner McClain said.

“We don’t know. That’s the point,” Commissioner Frederick said.

“There’s things that we don’t know,” Commissioner McClain said.

Commissioner Lewis said he would like the DNR or the National Guard to “tell us” the specific military uses for the land but they have been “silent.”

Commissioner Carey Jansen (District #5) said the board is “not authorized” and doesn’t have the “need” to be involved in an agreement between the state and the military. 

“I am sick of hearing ‘it’s nothing against the military,’” Commissioner Jansen said.

“This is something we already acted on and signed and don’t have any control over,” Commissioner Jansen said. “I think this has become far more political than it needs to be.”

The discussion ended with a roll call vote. Five commissioners voted no, one voted yes (Frederick), and one was absent (Shelly Pinkelman, District #3). The motion failed 5-1.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, “For any Camp Grayling training events intended to be conducted on State land beyond the Camp Grayling borders, DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will apply to DNR for State land use permits. These applications will designate specific periods of time and locations for access to conduct training exercises. All land use permits will be processed and issued in accordance with DNR’s authority under (the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act).”

“The permits and military training exercises described in this MOU will be limited to a maximum of approximately 52,000 acres of tax-reverted State land,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding. “The land use permit applications will be limited to the amount of acreage needed for the proposed military training exercise.”

“All areas covered by any land use permit described in this MOU will remain open to legal public and Tribal use during the time periods covered by any such permit, including during any military training exercises conducted. The land use permits described in this MOU will not allow military training exercises to take place in any protected or sensitive habitat areas, or within 3,000 feet of any inland lakes or designated trout streams listed in Fisheries Order 210.23. DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will maintain the State land at issue, including any roads or trails, in the condition they existed in prior to the military training exercise. DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will continue public service announcements related to permitted activities through existing military protocols,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding.

“The purpose of the land use permits described in this MOU will be to conduct the following activities: 1. Small formation activity involving less than 500 National Guard members and up to 100 affiliated partner members; 2. Controlled trials of cyber and electronic warfare technologies; 3. Low impact or light maneuver training,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding.

According to the MOU, “The following activities will not be permitted: 1. Live fire or any similar kinetic activity; 2. Use of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam material or any similar or other material known to contain harmful pollutants, including PFAS; 3. Activity within 3,000 feet of any inland lakes or designated trout streams listed in Fisheries Order 210.23; 4. Use of tanks; 5. Erection of fencing or any permanent structure; 6. Violent, loud, or disorderly conduct; 7. Activity that results in significant damage to vegetation; 8. Storage of watercraft or other vehicles beyond designated permitted period; 9. Use of any loudspeaker, PA system, or similar equipment.”

The MOU “will be in effect from the date of execution for five years unless it is terminated as set forth below” and “it may be extended for five-year additional increments upon the mutual agreement of the Departments. This MOU may be modified upon the mutual agreement of DNR and DMVA and upon execution of a written amendment signed by both Departments. DNR or DMVA may terminate this MOU at any time upon prior written notice to the other Department.”