Savoy Energy, the people that own the mineral lease, have been playing
snake in the grass for over three years. NO WHERE TO BE SCENE!
They tried to intervene in the case, for purposes of an appeal,
stating the Government was not representing their monetary interests
in the case.
Honorable David M. Lawson of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District
of Michigan, hammered Savoy.
"During all this time, Savoy was not heard from, although the case
received considerable public attention, and the preliminary injunction
prevented Savoy from proceeding with its drilling project. Then, once
the smoke of battle cleared, Savoy emerged from the woods on September
4th, 2008 to file its motion to intervene, seeking to urge an
appellate court to walk through the battlefield, as the saying goes,
and shoot the wounded. "
A Government appeal is still pending in the 6th Circuit Court of
Appeals, Cincinnati. It is believed the Government has no intent to
pursue this appeal, which was filed to simply keep their options
open. We would certainly drop our cross-appeal, if the Government
does the same. An injunction would remain in place prohibiting any
drilling by Savoy.
Good news indeed!
If you would like to see Judge Lawson’s 11 page ruling, please
contact me and I’ll send it to you.
Deanna (and Rusty),
Other than the occasional check, is there anything that er, which the rank and file can do to help out? Is there a good target for letters?
I spent nearly 2 weeks in Michigan this year that I would NOT have done so had the Au Sable not called so clearly. Yes, Gates Lodge got a good deal of the what I spent, but that includes a guide who got a day’s wages and the restaurant with several waitresses who go paid and tipped. I bought things from several stores, I did several loads of laundry at the laundrymat. I ate at a number of restaurants. Some money got spread around on the way up and on the back back. Some was spent on a trip to Mio. I plan to do it again in 2009, and hopefully 2010, etc…
Finally, Michigan is no longer a place inhabited by “them”. It is a place which I know far better and care for far more than before I stood in the cool water of the Au Sable. I now care more for the people who live there and I wish them well. Someday that might be expressed at the ballot box.
Perhaps the interest, respect, and, inevitably, the fondness which they foster is the greatest thing that the Au Sable brings to Michigan.
Ed and all,
Join the Anglers of the Au Sable. We are supporting members, which you surely don’t need to do, but just having ‘numbers’ sometimes will discourage the bad guys from trying to do bad things because they know they will get nailed. The group is fighting other battles, and they would be delighted to have your support. (They have a really neat pin too S)