News has come this month on a number of area projects, ranging from the continuing medical marijuana debate to proposals to build wind farms in southern Berrien County and the city of Niles’ plans to remove the Pucker Street dam on the Dowagiac River.
Buchanan residents have expressed their views about a new medical marijuana law at three public forums over the last two weeks, while Niles residents will get the chance to give their opinions at a forum today, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. Galien Township officials are also looking at a proposal brought by a New Buffalo resident.
Today’s forum will be held at the Niles city fire station on East Main Street and feature both a review of the new state law and the chance for people and local business owners to comment.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed the new law last September as part of an effort to bring clarity to the 2008 voter approved medical marijuana law. The new law expands the types of medical marijuana facilities permitted and sets up a regulatory and licensing process similar to what is done for liquor licenses.
Five categories of facilities are allowed for all steps of marijuana production including the selling of seeds, propagation, harvesting and processing, transporting the product, testing the product, delivery and selling the product. The state must still set up the licensing board and the first applications won’t be accepted until the end of this year.
Municipalities can choose whether to allow any of the facilities within their boundaries. If they do choose to allow any of them, they must adopt new ordinances authorizing the facilities and where they can be located. Municipalities allowing facilities can charge an annual fee of up to $5,000 to cover administrative and enforcement costs.
In other news, the city of Niles continues to move forward with plans to remove the Pucker Street dam on the Dowagiac River despite a proposal from an area clean energy developer. The state of Michigan is requiring the city to either remove or repair the dam by next year.
Falling Waters company chairman David Snyder is continuing his efforts to convince city officials to let him restore the dam so that it can produce hydroelectric power.
Snyder recently sent two letters to City Council members outlining his proposal and also met with city officials. He said he is not giving up his plans although he hasn’t gotten any encouragement from the city. He hopes to make a formal presentation to the council later this month.
In his letters to the council, Snyder said the city’s plan to remove the dam will result in the loss of an opportunity to promote renewable energy and harm what is now a popular fishing destination. He did acknowledge that the city will likely have the funding needed to remove the dam through grants and revenue from a rate increase.
Niles City Utilities Manager Jeff Dunlap said the dam removal project is on schedule for work to start later this year and the dam to be removed next year.
The state has given the city a deadline of the fall of 2018 to either remove the dam or have it operational. He said the city has already gotten $1.5 million in grants and will apply for another $300,000 grant in December. The city also continues to levy a surcharge on electric customers to pay for the rest of the $3.5 million project.
Relative to the wind farm project, a group of Galien area residents have formed the Wind Turbine Analysis Committee to research the issue. The committee’s goal is to work with townships to develop “strong wind zoning ordinances that protect the health, safety, and welfare” of residents and to share the “independent” research they’ve collected.
The committee plans to hold a number of open “townhall” meetings in coming weeks and months to keep residents informed, the release stated. Committee member Beth Denton said the committee will continue to work whether or not the current Apex project moves forward as they want area townships to be prepared.
Apex has proposed a $250 million wind turbine farm with 25 to 40 turbines located on 13,000 acres in Baroda, Galien, Three Oaks and Weesaw Townships. Each turbine would cost $3 million and be 600 feet tall. Apex is the largest wind farm developer in the country in terms of industry capacity.
Apex representatives first came to the area nearly a year ago, approaching farmers and other property owners about locating wind turbines on their land. The project came to public attention over the summer and was the subject of a public informational meeting in September.
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