Google data center in Van Buren Township would destroy 13 acres of wetlands
Michigan regulators are reviewing a wetland permit for Google's planned 1-gigawatt data center in Van Buren Township, which would destroy 13.55 acres of wetlands and impact streams. Environmental advocates and a Wayne County Conservation District board member are urging regulators to deny the permit due to environmental concerns and historic flooding in the area. The public comment period on the wetland permit is open until June 26.
Michigan regulators are currently reviewing a wetland permit for Google's proposed "Project Cannoli" data center in Van Buren Township, a development that would eliminate 13.55 acres of wetlands and impact local streams. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will decide on the permit, with additional reviews by the EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Environmental quality analyst John Jones from EGLE detailed that the project, located on 282 acres at Haggerty Road and I-94, would also require six culverts in regulated streams and the filling of 573 linear feet of a stream. Developer Panattoni Development Co. plans to offset these impacts by purchasing wetland mitigation bank credits in the Huron River watershed and creating new stream channels on-site.
However, the project faces significant opposition from environmental groups and local officials. Evan Rosin, a Wayne County Conservation District board member, questioned the necessity of destroying wetlands, suggesting Google has the resources to develop on a brownfield site instead. Lauren Eaton, monitoring manager at Friends of the Rouge, emphasized the critical role of wetlands in flood control, urging EGLE to deny the permit given Wayne County's history of significant wetland loss and recent flooding. The public comment period for the wetland permit is open until June 26.