Group, company at odds over plant's wetland damage

Environmental group, Consumers disagree over Bay Co. wetland damage at proposed plant site

• On 1:37 pm EDT, Tuesday October 20, 2009

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -- Environmental groups say up to 170 acres of coastal wetlands in Bay County could be damaged by a coal-fired power plant that Consumers Energy Co. wants to build.

The company says the affected area would be much smaller.

Consumers is seeking a wetland permit to construct a $2.3 billion, 830-megawatt plant at the Karn-Weadock complex on Saginaw Bay.

Terry Miller is spokesman for a group called the Lone Tree Council and says the site includes 170 acres of wetlands. Wetlands absorb floodwaters, filter out toxins and provide wildlife habitat.

Consumers spokeswoman Mary Gust tells The Bay City Times less than 7 wetland acres would be affected.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says it needs more information before deciding on the permit.