WHAT IS HAPPENING ON OSCEOLA COUNTY?
Read further to understand how big corporations are taking over Evart, Michigan.
Finch Jael Arnold
Ongoing document pertaining to information surrounding Osceola and Mecosta County in affairs with MPSC and other corporations.
Overview
Michigan Potash & Salt Company LLC (“MPSC”) is a private, US based, potash company that’s setting up shop in Evart, Michigan. The location of the Michigan Potash facility is near Schofield Road and 120th Avenue in Evart Township, Osceola County.
Cause
What is happening? What is MPSC proposing?
“Michigan Potash & Salt Company, LLC (“MPSC”) is a private, US based, potash company responsible for controlling over 150 million tons of recoverable K2O product, leading America into a new era of potash production.”
- Theodore Pagano is the CEO.
- 15,000 acres of mineral rights across Osceola and Mecosta counties.
- Pushed because it will reduce our reliance on foreign countries.
- The United States gets 87% of their potash imports from Canada out of their 94% annual usage.
Operation focuses on solution mining with waste injection wells, a less disruptive method to fracking, but still environmentally disastrous.
- Involves drilling down to the potash then pumping heated water and brine (concentrated salt water) into a deep geologic formation known as the A1 Evaporite. These fluids would dissolve salt and potash which would be pumped back to the surface in a continuous cycle.
- Water that isn’t recycled in their closed loop system will go into waste injection wells, “thus threatening a rather large sacrifice zone should any of them leak.”
- This also requires a large network of pipes, increasing risk of leaks.
- Site will have four retention basins with no outlets.
41 active wells alongside 43 active mineral disposal wells.
- EGLE stated there will be no monitoring wells during construction.
Michigan Potash currently has an air permit for the facility, but they are asking to increase the thermal oxidizer heat input from 5.5 million BTU per hour to 20 million BTU per hour.
- Also increasing the PM10 and PM2.5 emission limits from 88 tons per year to 93 tons per year.
- PM10: A type of air pollution that consists of inhalable particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or less. Can include dust, smoke, soot, metals, acids and salts.
- PM2.5: A similar pollution, but less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Sources can include vehicle admissions and industrial activity.
Operation has a lifespan of 150 plus years running 24/7.
- Unprecedented amount of water consumption and destruction.
Permitted to destroy over 1,200 gallons per minute of local groundwater, with permissions to withdraw 725 million gallons annually.
- This is three times the amount Nestle already takes. Michigan charges them 200 dollars a year for their permits to extract our freshwater and sell it.
- Requires 3 millions gallons of fresh groundwater per day which will be contaminated by toxic brines. Could create 1.1 billion gallons of unusable freshwater per year.
- Registration 9325-20242-56 and Registration 9326-202412-18 have a combined maximum annual withdrawal of 728,459,827 gallons of water (WWAT Registrations - EGLE).
Due to the facility's location, MPSC could have an effect on 50 plus interconnected wetlands in the surrounding area. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)
- There have already been requests to permanently destroy or impair 21 wetlands.
- Stream and wetland connections to Bull Kill creek and Muskegon River watersheds.
- Largest freshwater marsh in Osceola county is located only 200 yards away.
- Home to vast wildlife including Trumpeter swans and Ebert otters.
Fig. 1, Proposed Location for Michigan Potash
Fig. 2 Site plan and Wetland impacts, WETLAND SECTIONS 10-29-2024_v1.pdf
MPSC (https://mipotash.com/about-us/#:~:text=Our%20Mission,natural%20and%20critical%20crop%20nutrient)
Proposed Project Summary for MICHIGAN POTASH OPERATING, LLC – EVART TOWNSHIP, OSCEOLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Produced by EGLE. (https://www.egle.state.mi.us/aps/downloads/permits/PubNotice/APP-2024-0182/APP-2024-0182PPS.pdf)
Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (https://savemiwater.org/potash-videos) and Fall 2024 Newsletter
Effect
What will this do to the local community and environment?
A sacrifice zone of 15,000 acres.
- “Sacrifice zones are often defined as populated areas with high levels of pollution and environmental hazards, thanks to nearby toxic or polluting industrial facilities. These areas are called ‘sacrifice zones’ because the health and safety of people in these communities is being effectively sacrificed for the economic gains and prosperity of others.”
- Characterized often by race, with other big contributors being population size, income and the access and distribution of information.
- As of 2022 the population in Evart, Michigan, was 1740 people. The median age was 36 and median income was only $37,000. Ranking it at the 8th poorest county in Michigan.
Continual degradation of the environment and destruction of biodiversity.
- “Ford, who’s on the board for the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation said the site is unsuitable for mining. It slopes on all sides. And it’s in the middle of four creeks that wander through a large freshwater marsh before flowing into the Muskegon River. ‘They literally could not have picked a worse location for this.’” (Grist)
- EGLE has stated that nonpoint pollution isn’t being considered.
- This consists typically of contaminated rainfall or snow melt from construction sites and crop fields that carry pollutants into waterways.
- Owner “cannot guarantee there wouldn’t be a catastrophic failure.”
- EGLE emphasized traffic, noise, light, local zoning issues and other projects adjacent will not be taken under consideration for the permit.
- To clarify, I asked the board about monitoring shipments and erosion from traffic in the area, they said “truck shipments will not and cannot be regulated.” MPSC said they’ll be building their own access roads.
Contaminate aquifers and run local drinking wells dry.
- Brine and other deposits could taint groundwater in regions where residents depend on private drinking wells.
- Locals have already said they’ve noticed water levels decreasing due to other facilities nearby. “One attendee (February 5th, 2025, EGLEs meeting in Evart), who lives on Pogy Lake, which feeds the Pogy Creek — part of the proposed water withdrawal area — shared concerns about the reduced levels in the lake, saying they have seen the lake go down significantly over the last two years and nearby property owners have had their wells go dry.” (Pioneer)
Oversupply and layoffs while we’re at ‘war’.
- Ted Pagano is trying to sell the idea that this mine will be beneficial to farmers, and that we need to secure a domestic supply for economic stability. This idea was also pushed around 2013 near the beginning of the Ukraine and Russian war (we get around 9.6% of our imports from Russia), but potash was still in an oversupply, making it non profitable domestically. This idea has reemerged with war warnings between the United States and Canada. However, Canadian potash will continue to be cheaper because it possesses the world's largest potash reserves, producing potash at a significantly lower cost than the US. Not to mention the railways they already have in place for the distribution of product (whereas this plant is located on rural backroads).
- Mosaic Co. invested in Michigan potash because of the potential $65 billion industry. They closed doors in 2013 due to underperformance.
- Potash has been in a global oversupply. Which begs the question from locals and environmentalists if the destruction of this area is worth the money.
- “The fall in potash prices has improved affordability of some grains and oilseeds, fertilizer consultant Delphine Leconte-Demarsy from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said. ‘In the U.S., potash remains more expensive than it was before the price hike, but this is compensated by comparatively higher crop prices,’ Leconte-Demarsy said.” (Reuters)
- “‘We are likely nearing the operational cost of production, which may force some companies to curb production,’ Rabobank analyst Paul Joules said.” (Reuters)
- Inflates fertilizer consumption by extending economic interest. More economical for the company than the buyer or the enviroment.
- “When operational, the mine will ‘play a critical role’ in securing a domestic supply of potash, a fertilizer ingredient that’s primarily imported to the United States from Canada, according to the Department of Energy.” (MLive)
EGLE has said they’re not taking into account other companies already pulling water, Gretchen Whitmer is not your ally.
- Gretchen stated in her campaign that she would be cracking down on Nestle's usage; she has yet to comment on the situation, or the gotion battery plant in Big Rapids that's siphoning 715,000 gallons, and now there has yet to be a comment on this potash mine. (GLPD)
- Nestle operates three wells across Osceola and Mecosta county bottling water and selling it back, only paying $200 a year for a permit.
Critical health issues due to short and long-term exposure of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions.
- Air quality division (AQD) does not operate air monitoring stations in Osceola county, but they said they’d use a station near Houghton Lake, which is over an hour away.
- Long term effects of PM2.5 emissions have been linked to premature death. “Short-term exposures (up to 24-hours duration) have been associated with premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung causes, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days.”
- Short Term effects of PM10 emissions can be associated with respiratory issues including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure is less clear, but in several studies it was found long-term exposure and respiratory mortality were linked.
An aerial view of Bullkill Marsh, which surrounds the proposed mine. Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (https://savemiwater.org/potash-videos) and Fall 2024 Newsletter
Climate Reality Project (https://www.climaterealityproject.org/sacrifice-zones#:~:text=Sacrifice%20zones%20are%20often%20defined,for%20protection%E2%80%9D%20under%20the%20law)
National Library of Medicine (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114843/#:~:text=Sacrifice%20zones%20are%20often%20%E2%80%9Cfenceline,polluted%20industries%20or%20military%20bases)
California Air Resources Board (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/inhalable-particulate-matter-and-health#:~:text=Short%2Dterm%20exposures%20to%20PM10,air%20pollution%20causes%20lung%20cancer)
Mining, Michigan Potash (https://www.mining.com/michigan-potash-mine-still-play/)
Potash Oversupply (https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/potash-supply-nears-pre-war-levels-pushing-producers-cut-output-2024-10-23/)
Community Concerns (https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/news/article/egle-addresses-community-concerns-michigan-potash-20158236.php)
Michigan's Watchdog (https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/news/gotion-will-siphon-more-water-than-nestle#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFor%20a%20mere%20$200%20a,Whitmer%20blasted%20then%2DGov)
Leadership
Who owns this project?
MPSC
Founder and CEO is Ted Pagano (2011 - present), a Denver, Colorado based man. His other experience is as follows (pulled from LinkedIn),
- Co-founder and Manager of Dakota Salts, LLC (Aug 2008 - Dec 2011).
- Team Lead at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (2006 - 2007).
- Senior Petroleum Engineer at Kerr-Mcgee Oil & Gas OnShore LP (2003 - 2006).
- Petroleum Engineer at Chevron (2001 - 2003).
Chief Development Officer is Cory Christofferson.
- Pivoted from the oil and gas industry.
Chief Operating Officer is Aric J. Glasser.
- Diverse career in oil and gas spanning from engineering, multi-discipline team management, and leadership.
Find the full list here, https://mipotash.com/team-2/.
Contact Information
MPSC Contact Information.
General Information: info@mipotash.com
Media Relations: media@mipotash.com
Investor Relations: info@mipotash.com
Phone number: 231-577-9616
Funding
Who is funding this project? And what funding have they already received?
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.26 billion ($1.12 billion in principal and $141 million in capitalized interest) to Michigan Potash Company, LLC (Michigan Potash).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided an $80 million grant to MPSC.
The state of Michigan in 2022 approved a $50 million subsidy and tax-exempt bonding.
LPA Announces Conditional Commitment
MP Announcement (https://mipotash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/MI-Potash-Announcement-PR-FINAL-DOE-edits.pdf)
EGLE
EGLE is the department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Various groups advise the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on policy and programmatic issues. These groups provide a forum for stakeholders to provide feedback and advice to EGLE, and are often mandated formally through legislation and executive order. Boards and workgroups are also assembled by the department for advice from stakeholders, especially as related to the Department's rule-making authority.
Photos produced by EGLE via MiEnviro under WIP (Wetland Identification Application) Notes and Photos of the land that will be affected.
- file:///C:/Users/obj61/Downloads/WIP%20Photos%20and%20Notes%20-%2067-Muskegon%20Rd%20&%20Schofield%20Rd-Evart%20Township.pdf (User will have to copy and paste into browser).
- https://mienviro.michigan.gov/nsite/map/results/detail/-5759666172185399486/documents
A testament to Ted Paganos due diligence found in a 2016 WIP Report, “The MDEQ also reviewed other pertinent information such as aerial imagery, soils survey data, topographic mapping data, and surface hydrology data. Several wetland areas were overlooked and omitted by the consultant. The MDEQ flagged additional wetland area (approximately 0.47 acres) associated with Wetland K/L, mapping the major extension of the wetland toward the northwest. The MDEQ located additional wetland area (approximately 0.08 acre) associated with Wetland J, extending the mapped wetland toward the southwest. The MDEQ also extended several other mapped, regulated wetland boundaries to encompass a total of less than 0.3 acre onsite.”
- file:///C:/Users/obj61/Downloads/WIPReport-Osceola_L3_67-Muskegon%20Rd%20&%20Schofield%20Rd-Evart%20Township%20(1).pdf
Leadership
Boards and advisory groups (24), https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/groups#:~:text=Boards%20and%20advisory%20groups,Environment%2C%20Great%20Lakes%2C%20and%20Energy
Public Hearing and News
EGLE application to impact wetlands associated with Evart Potash and Salt Facility – 2/13/25
Virtual public hearing held on 2/13/25. Ted Pagano, Michigan Potash, 1225 17th Street, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202, has applied to EGLE for a permit under authority of Part 303, Wetlands Protection of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA). The applicant proposes to construct the Evart Potash and Salt Facility and associated infrastructure in Hersey and Evart Townships, Osceola County.
- In order for the permit to be granted, EGLE must find that proposed activities described in the public notice meet certain criteria set by part 303 on Wetland protections (of act 451). (Part 303)
- A permit for an activity listed in section 30304 shall not be approved unless the department determines that the issuance of a permit is in the public interest, that the permit is necessary to realize the benefits derived from the activity and that the activity is otherwise lawful.
- A permit shall not be issued unless it is shown that an unacceptable disruption will not result in aquatic resources.
- A permit shall not be issued unless the applicant also shows either of the following; the proposed activity is primarily dependent upon being located in the Wetland or a feasible and prudent alternative does not exist.
- Peggy Case, President of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, “the latest appearance of 44 well casings in an area apparently only permitted at the most 20 production and three waste injection wells is an example of the chaos apparent in this endeavor.”
- “We are told the intendant wetlands are supposedly on Michigan Potashs’ property, and we are told there will be no pollution effect on adjoining properties or wetland areas. It’s hard to imagine how the experts at EGLE could even consider granting any such permits based on such assurances while ignoring the interconnectedness of the waters of the area, the streams, the marches, rivers, ponds and aquifers.”
- Quotes relevance of permit 303, necessity of residing on wetlands.
- Opposition from homeowners on Lake Miramichi, stating that “you have not told us what the effects on our well or lake might be” carries on to say they (the Lake Miramichi Property Owners Association) have not been notified of the installation. (Julie Marlitz)
- “We believe that there is not going to be enough of a beneficial economic or social impact that could ever cover what our environment means to the state of Michigan.”
- Kati Mora, president and CEO for Middle Michigan Development Corporation (Covers Claire, Isabella, and Osceola counties) states the project will benefit the local economy and later regurgitates the phrase used by many others “In today’s political environment I also believe relying on foreign countries to acquire potash provides its own set of challenges and setbacks.”
- “The proposed location for well pad number two is best described as an island surrounded by a sea of wetlands. It includes three separate drainages and a 25 acre man made lake. This proposed site is highly unsuitable for such a facility especially when more prudent and feasible alternatives do exist.” (Aaron DeGraaf, homeowner)
- “Further, the proposed access road for well pad number two, which would come off the corner of 115th and One Mile, raises concerns. This access road will require significant excavation. Cutting and widening of the current two tracks will increase storm water runoff directly into the wetland located on the southwest corner of my property.”
- Jessica Miller, “Where the proposed new and modified wells will be located, is full of old gas wells with no reliable data available as to their condition.”
- “How will they safely accommodate the huge increase in semi truck traffic, upwards of six trucks per hour along rural roads.”
- They won’t, EGLE has already stated it will not and cannot regulate this.
- Brandon Leslie, Vice President of Barton Malow, “make American farmers less dependent on foreign sources.”
- Ken Ford, “After ten years we finally have a detailed map and it shows that this proposed mine is jammed, or shoehorned, into 50 wetlands all interconnected and all drain into Bullkill Marsh and troutstream.”
- Michigan potash has been deemed a red file project, so therefore a full environmental impact study should be performed not just environmental assessments.
- Red File: “Projects which impact critical environmental areas or involve major discharges are exceptions and must receive concurrent review by federal partners. These projects are called “Red Files” and include projects which propose the enclosure of more than 300 feet of a stream in one or more segments and the relocation or channelization of more than 1,000 feet of a stream in one or more segments (EGLE, 2023b)” (ERAA)
- The environmental assessments currently in use have been called out to be non reliant.
- “It’s going to create money for someone but not all of us.”
Summary
United action needs to be taken against the destruction of these rural counties.
Fresh drinking water, biodiversity, and more is all at risk.
Ted Pagano doesn’t want to help farmers, he wants to make money.
- He’s already had a failed potash mine in North Dakota, and now the Colorado based man is looking to clear out this territory for profit.
MPC Executive Vice President of Finance Kevin Latimer said there is enough work to be done at the facility to last 150 years. “These are not low-paying jobs — this project has the potential to employ your children, and your children's children.”
- This is not the future I would want for my kids, I would hope they get to experience the richness of this land instead of the destruction.
How Can I Help?
Sign the Petition
https://www.change.org/p/save-osceola-county
- This petition is not the beginning of a public outcry to Michigan's economic development counsel and people of authority such as Gretchen Whitmer, it’s a reminder of how many lives this project affects locally and nationally.
Contact your Representatives
Find your legislators here,
Tell EGLE NO
Submit an environmental justice concern form to the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate (OEJPA).
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a1c4619292fe4f4aa948b9a364c5e90c
Or scroll down via the link below and click on “Environmental Justice concern”.
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/contact
- Create your own response to the questions or feel free to use the following template.
- Describe your environmental justice concern, including as much detail as possible.: In good and safe environmental conscience and safety, EGLE should not allow The Michigan Potash & Salt Company any permits that would further allow the construction of the proposed facility. The site, led by CEO Ted Pagano, will do irreparable debilitating damage to natural infrastructures Osceola and Mecosta County have fostered for over 100 years. To issue anymore permits would be a bad show of faith to farmers and residents in the 15,000 acre sacrifice zone, at the hands of someone who lives in Colorado wanting to be a “good neighbor.”
- For a more in depth response, see EDRAs template for the requested air permit.
- Incident location: 49631
- Contact the OEJPAs office directly with our message.
- Regina Strong at StrongR1@Michigan.gov.
- Kate Hutchens at HutchensK1@Michigan.gov.
Coalitions and Alliances
Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan
- Defending agriculture, free living, and the Earth's last wild spaces. The Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan is a 501(c)4 organization focused on: fighting toxic development, lobbying on behalf of grassroots communities for economic and environmental justice, and modeling community-based economic development in underprivileged communities.
Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
- Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) is a grassroots, non-profit, all-volunteer organization. As water protectors, we are dedicated to the conservation of water into the seventh generation and beyond. Our Mission is to protect Michigan's surface and ground waters from pollution, plunder, and privatization through education, advocacy, and action.
Water Equals Life
- Water Equals Life (WEL) is a coalition of local, statewide and national organizations that believe in the vital importance of water for sustaining life and fostering healthy communities. The founding organizations of the WEL Coalition include We the People Detroit, Freshwater Future, and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).