This week a county judge ruled against two neighbors who requested in their lawsuit that the Road Commission (WCRC) pause tree removal and be required to conduct an environmental assessment per the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.

Although the Werkner Road fight is over, much has been won. Neighborhood activism caused the WCRC to change design from its original plan to widen the entire road by 12 feet (6’ per side) and remove all trees within that right-of-way.  The revised plan – which you helped leverage - leaves the width unchanged for about 1/3 of the road (no tree removal) and widens the remaining section by only 8 feet (4’ per side), thereby preserving more habitat. Although 42 trees will still be removed, now only 11 are larger than 20” in diameter. 

The WCRC would not have created a revised plan if countless neighbors, supporters, elected officials, donors, and advocates did not make their voices heard.  THANK YOU!  Citizens should not have to work this hard to be informed in advance, to be heard when it matters, and to expect greater transparency and accountability from the WCRC. Thank you for your efforts!