1,000 signatures reached
To: Michigan Attorney General and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
DENY BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT(BOYNE USA) permit application to Operate Hydro-Facility for next 40 years
To: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the negligent handling of the Boyne River Dam by Boyne Mountain Resort, as documented by the Friends of the Boyne River (FOBR). We urge FERC to deny the current permit application submitted by Boyne Mountain Resort(Boyne USA) for the following reasons:
- Environmental Degradation:
- The dam’s mismanagement has led to significant sedimentation, smothering spawning habitats and causing a catastrophic collapse of macroinvertebrates, which are crucial for the river’s ecosystem.
- The river flow regulations have not been followed, resulting in harmful spikes in river flow and sediment deposits in lower gradient sections of the river and severely diminished water quality.
- Impact on Wildlife:
- The Boyne River’s fish populations, including salmon, steelhead, and trout, are suffering due to the degraded water quality and smothered spawning habitats.
- In 2024, no steelhead or brown trout were stocked by MDNR in the Boyne River due to sedimentation issues caused by the construction at the dam. MDNR is prepared to cut this stocking again in 2025 if the sedimentation issues are not resolved. Two years of not stocking these fish will significantly impact the angler community on the Boyne River as a whole.
- Lack of Public Access:
- Despite the last license calling for boat access for public use and safety reasons, Boyne Mountain Resort has not complied, arguing it would be too costly. Yet, they now seek to dredge the pond for private recreational purposes and further degrade the area by importing sand to create an unnatural private beach for a proposed resort.
- Public Accountability:
- The approval process for the current permit application lacked acceptable public informal notice, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
- The approval process for the current permit application lacked acceptable public informal notice, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Why is this important?
We believe that the Boyne River, a public trust resource, deserves better stewardship. The negligent handling of the dam has already caused significant harm to the river’s ecosystem and wildlife. Denying the permit application is a necessary step to protect and restore the health of the Boyne River.
We call on FERC to take immediate action and deny Boyne Mountain Resort’s current permit application.
We call on FERC to take immediate action and deny Boyne Mountain Resort’s current permit application.