Michigan Oil Co. v. Natural Resources Commission

Blair Moody, Jr., J.

The issue before the Court is whether the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) properly denied Michigan Oil’s permit application for oil and gas drilling on a 40-acre site of state-owned land known as Corwith 1-22 in July of 1972. Beyond this apparently simple question are broad policy considerations; therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the factual setting of the instant case before addressing the legal issues set forth.

Background

Corwith 1-22, the 40-acre site involved in the instant controversy, is located in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (hereinafter the…