I'd add the following....
a. re-emergence of nutrient/algae/water quality problems in
b. The continued march of asian carp up the Illinois River and
Lake Michigan.
c. Senate passage of the CAFO deregulation package by Michigan's
d. Discovery of 15 new exotic species in the Great Lakes
e. One more year of no firm plans for extensive regional light
Southeastern Michigan.
My nominations for top Michigan environmental stories for 2007:
1, Michigan Supreme Court overturns 30 years of law and in the
Nestle v. MCWC case guts citizen standing to sue under the
Michigan Environmental Protection Act. By 7-2 margin, public
supports restoring MEPA in constitution setting the stage for
potential constitutional amendment in 2008.
2. Michigan DEQ buries its own consultants' report critical of
controversial Kennecott UP nickel mine proposal and then after an
internal review goes ahead and approves the mine permit setting
the stage for wholesale mining in the UP. The action undermines
public confidence in the department at a critical time when DEQ is
under assault from Republican budget cutters.
3. Highest dioxin contamination ever recorded is discovered in the
Saginaw River On Dec. 7, the Detroit Free Press reported that EPA
officials charged in a confidential August internal report that
Dow concealed the dangers of dioxin contamination in local
waterways and insisted on negotiating cleanup details with
Granholm's office instead of the state Department of Environmental
Quality's staff.
4. Despite wider recognition of climate change and declining
interest nationally in carbon-polluting coal plants, up to seven
new dirty coal plants are proposed for Michigan without objection
from Michigan's legislature. The new plants, if built, would
negate any actions taken by the Legislature and the governor to
reduce global warming impacts in Michigan, which is the 10th
largest producer of carbon emissions in the nation.
Eartha Melzer wrote:
Hi group,
I'm working on a story that will review the top Michigan
environmental stories of the year, whether or not they received
coverage.
Can anyone help out by sharing what you think the top items were?
Declining lake levels? Wider recognition of climate change? Plans
for a UP nickel mine? Continuing surge in farmers markets?
I appreciate any ideas,
Eartha Melzer
(231) 933-3249
(231) 342-7796 cell
==========================================
Environmental Enforcement, Permit/Technical Review, Public Policy,
Evidence Review and Litigation Investigation on Air, Water and
Waste/Community Environmental and Resource Protection
PO Box 39, East Lansing, MI 48826-0039
==========================================
and Conservation Issues and Michigan-based Citizen Action.