Prairie Trillium Project

A waste disposal facility in southwest Michigan was nearing capacity and wanted to expand. A State-Threatened plant was known to occur in the area, so they hired a consultant to survey. The survey was done - but at the wrong time of year to locate the plants, so none were found, and the consultant issued a report with a "no effect" opinion.

By spring, the project was well underway when the DNR showed up on site, noted the protected plants popping up all over, and issued a "Cease and Desist" order. The client hired an attorney, so the DNR also brought in an attorney.

Tensions were escalating, legal costs were mounting, and the delayed construction was costing the client tens of thousands of dollars daily. Aamazon got involved and quickly negotiated directly with the DNR to obtain an expedited permit to transplant the plants out of the way. Over 14,000 plants were moved into a safe zone and monitored for several years.

Results: 1) protection of the plants, 2) resumption of the project, and 3) useful research data for the DNR about comparative transplant methods - truly a "win-win" outcome for all involved.