The Rouge River is more than a waterway – it's the heart of Farmington's natural heritage, providing our community with recreational spaces, wildlife habitats, and natural beauty. This environmental treasure is now at risk from a proposed 24-hour Sheetz gas station development directly adjacent to its banks, at Middlebelt and Grand River in Farmington Hills.

A 24-hour gas station will bring risk of many environmental hazards:

Flood risk and spill concerns:
Gas stations are high-risk sites for spills during storm events. With the Rouge River watershed prone to flooding, contaminants from such spills could easily enter the river, where floodwaters could lift and carry petroleum products and other contaminants far beyond the immediate spill site.

These toxins would flow not just downstream, but also into residential basements and yards in flood-prone neighborhoods

Unlike regular water damage, petroleum contamination in homes is extremely difficult and costly to remediate

Residents could face long-term health risks from exposure to these chemicals in their living spaces

Insurance often doesn't fully cover damage from contaminated floodwaters, leaving homeowners with significant financial burden

Water Quality and Pollution Risks:

The Rouge River faces significant challenges with water quality, including high chloride levels from road salts and chronic pollution levels at multiple sites.

Gas stations risk increasing pollution due to potential spills and stormwater runoff containing petroleum products and other toxic substances.

This would exacerbate existing water quality issues, threatening both aquatic life and the health of the ecosystem.
 
Existing Ecological Improvements at Risk:

There have been positive trends in species diversity and some habitat restoration success in areas such as the Johnson Creek watershed and the Ford Dam fishway.

A gas station’s potential to introduce further contamination could undermine years of restoration work funded by local, state, and federal efforts.

Impact of artificial light on wildlife:

Artificial night lighting disrupts natural behaviors of nocturnal animals in the Rouge River ecosystem, including:

Disrupting breeding patterns of amphibians that rely on darkness for reproduction

Confusing migratory birds that use natural light for navigation

Affecting insects that are essential to the river's food web 

This isn't just about preventing future damage – it's about protecting years of community investment in river restoration and preservation.

Each flooding event could carry hazardous materials from the gas station site into our parks, yards, and natural areas, threatening both wildlife and human health.

Environmental Protection Agency studies have shown that gas stations can release benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds into soil and groundwater, even with modern containment systems. Our river's floodplain location makes it particularly vulnerable to these contaminants.

Sign this petition to urge the Farmington City Council to choose a different location for the  proposed Sheetz gas station development and to protect:

• The water quality of the Rouge River
• Our community's investment in river restoration
• Local wildlife habitats
• The natural character of our neighborhood
• Our property values and quality of life

Your signature matters. Help us preserve the Rouge River for future generations by stopping this development before construction begins.