Gotion Inc. today announced that extensive environment studies done from the fall of 2022 until this week on its Green Charter Township property found absolutely no evidence of an eagle nest or eagle activity.
Barr Engineering Co., a top-tier engineering and environmental consulting firm with an office in Grand Rapids, performed the independent studies on 252 acres of the property’s mature forested area. The evaluations “identified no bald eagle nests or nesting activities.”
Misinformation quickly spread on social media after an area resident trespassed on Gotion’s property, took several photos of a small nest, and posted them on social media claiming the nest was an eagle nest.
“Protecting and preserving our environment continues to be a top concern for Gotion Inc. as we move forward with our battery components facility in Green Charter Township,” said Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing. “And safeguarding our environment also means ensuring the protection of our state’s beautiful and diverse wildlife.
“It’s our understanding that two elected officials have contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the issue,” Thelen said. “Gotion Inc. welcomes and invites USFWS officials on our property at any time so they can also verify there are no eagle nests on our property.”
In an attempt to stop the ongoing misinformation, Thelen said he is willing to give a representative from the opposition group a personal tour of the property to check for eagle nests.
“We realize most people who still oppose our facility don't try to distort the truth in any way, which is greatly appreciated,” Thelen said. “But the simple truth is that a small minority of people within this opposition group continue to deliberately spread misinformation.
“Gotion has contracted with an environmental company to evaluate the site for species present that range from ants to zebras. The report repeatedly shows there are no endangered or protected species on the site,” Thelen said. “The most recent extremist hoax executed by pathological liars has again manipulated my community into outrage using fabrications specifically designed to destroy the community. The good and honest people in our area must speak out against such blatant and continuous disrespect from these extremists. I am sick of them making my community the laughingstock of our great nation.
"The American bald eagle is a symbol of freedom,” Thelen said. “If eagles ever decide to nest on our property, we would defend it and preserve it with the attention that our national symbol deserves. No self-respecting American would use our American symbols of freedom to promote fear and bigotry."