E-M:/ attorney general releases conservation issues agenda

["Dave Dempsey" <davedem@hotmail.com>]

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Enviro-Mich message from "Dave Dempsey" <davedem@hotmail.com>
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On Monday, Attorney General Jennifer Granholm released her conservation 
issues agenda.  Below is the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2002

DEARBORN - Sounding on the themes of Woods, Water, and Wildlife, Democratic 
gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm today unveiled 
her environmental agenda. The 11-page agenda outlines Granholm's commitment 
to balancing environmental protection with necessary economic growth to 
sustain Michigan's quality of life.

"Michigan's proud legacy of environmental stewardship and conservation has 
been put at risk by the current administration," Granholm said. "A Granholm 
Administration will pursue polluters and vigorously enforce environmental 
laws. We will create comprehensive water protection laws, and we will 
implement innovative land use strategies that preserve woodlands and 
farmlands for future generations to enjoy."

The major highlights of Granholm's environmental plan include:

Expansion of farmland and open space preservation programs.


Implementation of a "Clean Water Forever" initiative to protect the Great 
Lakes from exports to other areas, protect critical wetlands, enlist the 
public in water monitoring, and reduce the release of toxins in our water 
supplies.


Management of Michigan's fish and wildlife resources with stewardship and 
sustainability, and protecting them from disease outbreaks.


A ban on all new medical and municipal waste incinerators to improve air 
quality.


A phase out of the worst toxic pollutants.


Limitations on the number of landfills so that there are only enough to meet 
Michigan's needs, therefore reducing the amount of trash imported into our 
state.


Giving the people the "right to know" the air and water quality where they 
live.


Recombining the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of 
Environmental Quality.

"My plan to expand farmland and open space preservation will help reverse 
the present trend of 10 acres of Michigan farmland being gobbled up every 
hour by land speculators and new development that completely disrespects the 
beauty of our countryside," Granholm said. "We must make sure that dollars 
and development are not the only measures of success in our state, and that 
preservation and conservation also are considered signs of progress."

Granholm also said her administration would view the Great Lakes as a 
natural wonder - not a potential moneymaking asset.

"The Great Lakes must remain our top priority for protection," Granholm 
said. "Western states that would prey on our water, companies that would 
bottle it and sell it, and big oil companies that would exploit what lies 
beneath must get the message loud and clear - our Great Lakes are not for 
sale at any price."

Sustaining fish and wildlife habitats and populations around the state also 
would be a major focus of a Granholm Administration.

"Hunting and fishing are major components of our tourism economy," Granholm 
said. "When fishermen can't eat what they catch in Michigan and hunters stay 
away from our state because of disease in deer herds, it can have a ruinous 
effect on small businesses around the state. My administration will boost 
efforts to protect and sustain fish and wildlife populations to ensure 
Michigan remains an outdoorsman's paradise."

The complete Granholm environmental plan, "Protecting the Environment, 
Growing Our Economy," is available on the Granholm campaign web site at 
www.granholmforgov.com.



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