Citizens for Oil-Free Backyards has filed suit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, seeking to derail plans for an exploratory oil well in Scio Township.
The suit alleges the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality doesn't abide by its own permitting rules, and that the public was only involved in the process in a superficial manner.
The MDEQ says its permitting process has a great record of prevailing in such cases.
West Bay Exploration Company wants to drill the well. It says the suit will delay the process, but looks forward to moving ahead with drilling.