Michigan, top exporter of Pebbles, Gravel Etc.
Updated: Oct 16, 2021
According to data from Flexport, Michigan has been the top exporter of gravel by a large margin over the last many years. 'Very serious consequences' need to be measured against the severity of ‘market need.’ If we are exporting our aggregate, there appears to be a surplus in our local market. To which we say 'very serious consequences' outweigh the severity of 'market need'.
According to this data, over the last many years Michigan has exported $92,719,297. The next closest exporter, Washington, exported $71,652,534.
MCL 125.3205 (4). under this clause the permit applicant must prove:
“there are valuable natural resources located on the relevant property” Saying ‘gravel’ or 'sand' just doesn’t cut it. There are many different types of gravel and they vary considerably in value.
“there is a need for the natural resources by the person or in the market served by the person” The applicant needs to clearly define this ‘market need.’ Not just that there is a need, but by whom and for what. More to the point, that this ‘market need’ is otherwise not being met in the marketplace by other sources.
“that no very serious consequence would result …” Which of course there are. Importantly, the level of seriousness is measured against the severity of ‘market need.’
Also to the heart of the matter is MCL 125.3205 (3): …“Natural resources shall be considered valuable for the purposes of his section if a person, by extracting the natural resources, can receive revenue and reasonably expect to operate at a profit.”
Flexport’s import and export data is sourced from US Census statistical records. Figures represent imports to the United States from other countries and exports from the United States to other countries. Read more about HS Codes here.
