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NEWS
RELEASE For
immediate release December 22, 2008 Contact:
Rusty Gates,
Anglers of the Au Sable, 989-348-8462 Marvin Roberson, Sierra
Club US
World Class Trout
Stream Protected In a major victory for
anglers, hikers and canoeists, the US Forest Service has dropped its appeal of
a Federal Court decision to protect the Mason Tract and nearby Au Sable River
from oil and gas drilling. The Au Sable River is one of the world’s
premier blue ribbon trout streams. The agency action follows
a decision issued by Michigan Eastern District Federal Court Judge David M.
Lawson in July. The decision came in response to concerns raised by the Sierra
Club, Anglers of the Au Sable and Tim Mason about the Forest Service plan to
allow Savoy Energy Company to clearcut and drill on National Forest land
adjacent to the Mason Tract and within earshot of the river. “Clearly some
considered oil and gas drilling more important than the solitude required by
hunters, anglers and hikers in this spectacular area,” said Marvin
Roberson, Sierra Club Forest Ecologist. “Given the importance of this place
to the people of the state of The Forest Service failed
to adequately consider the environmental impacts and alternatives to address
concerns including noise and habitat destruction in its plan. As a result the
court enjoined the Forest Service from engaging in any activities. Savoy Energy
Company was denied a last minute attempt to intervene in the case on appeal in
front of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision by the Forest Service
to drop its appeal leaves the lower court decision and injunction in place and
protects the Au Sable River from destructive drilling. "This portion of the
Au Sable is the most pristine trout stream in the lower peninsula" said
Rusty Gates, President of the Anglers of the Au Sable. "People come here
from all over the world to enjoy the beauty and solitude afforded by this
river. We're glad to see that it remains protected" The Mason Tract was
established in 1955 when Tim Mason’s grandfather, George Mason,
bequeathed a 1,500 acre parcel with eleven miles of frontage on the South
Branch of the Au Sable River to the State of According to Tim Mason,
who represented the living Mason heirs in this suit, "this recent
development will allow my Grandfathers vision to carry on and provide people an
opportunity to enjoy the quiet solitude he found so therapeutic and
relaxing". "This unique gift
that he left to the people of Michigan and this country has provided
recreational hikers, skiers, canoeists and dedicated fishermen and sportsmen an
opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in ways that are rare and hard to find these
days. On behalf of our Grandfather and the rest of the Mason family we are
grateful for the efforts of the Sierra Club, The Anglers of the Au Sable and
all of the volunteers that made this happen." No drilling is allowed on
the Mason Tract itself however oil and gas could potentially be retrieved
through Forest Service lands abutting the Mason Tract. Savoy Energy Company
proposed to set up a drilling platform in an old growth portion of the South
Branch Area of the The conservationists were
represented by attorney Marianne Dugan of ### ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne M. Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Support the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter - contact Wendi
Tilden at wendi.tilden@sierraclub.org The bold steps that are needed to solve the climate
crisis are exactly the same steps that ought to be taken in order to solve the
economic crisis and the energy security crisis - Al Gore |