2007-2008

Michigan
Environmental Briefing Book
Where we stand
on the issues
“We abuse the land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a
community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” — ALDO LEOPOLD
I
n Michigan, people stand up for the
environment. Michiganders understand the
environment is more than places to recreate. It
is the air you breathe, the water you drink, the land
you grow food on, and the neighborhood where
you live.
Our natural resources can also be a major part
of our future success and a vibrant economy. But
only if we respect our resources and use them
in a sustainable manner. Michigan has new
opportunities to foster growth through renewable
energy and energy efficiency programs. Green
Chemistry, or the use of natural substances to
replace a wide variety of toxic chemicals, is a
growing global market. Michigan should encourage
these green industries.
The 2007-08 Michigan Environmental Briefing
Book is a great tool for the public, lawmakers,
and reporters. We list the most urgent public
health and natural resource problems facing
Michigan. We share the causes and suggest real
solutions. We also provide contact information
for the issue experts leading the charge on
environmental protection across the state. Our
proposed policy changes can help achieve poison-
free communities, make wise investments, and
protect Michigan’s heritage.
1
 2007-2008
Environmental Priorities
for Michigan’s Legislature
Defend Great Lakes Water (Page 6)
Michigan residents know why our Great Lakes
water should be protected. We were raised
swimming in lakes, fishing in rivers, and exploring
neighborhood streams. Our families picnic at the
beach, canoe inland lakes, and slide down sand
dunes. The Great Lakes define who we are.
The Great Lakes are also the key to our economic
well-being. Water is critical to our tourism
industry, agriculture, and manufacturing. The core
responsibility for every public office holder in
Michigan is to ensure clean water is available now
and in the future. This includes protecting water
from export and diversion, and managing in-basin
uses to prevent harm to our water resources.
Priority Action: Strengthen Michigan’s water
use laws by ratifying the proposed Great Lakes
Saint Lawrence River Water Compact and
enacting strong implementation.
Build a Clean Energy Future (Page 8)
Michigan residents spend $20 billion a year on
fuels that come from other states and overseas
— money that could be used to help our state’s
economy. We rely heavily on dirty coal technology
that has given us poisoned lakes and fish, shorter
life spans, and some of the highest asthma rates in
the country. It’s time to try something new.
We can act now to create a better energy future for
Michigan. Energy efficiency could save
$4 billion a year in energy costs— just as a start.
2 3
Investing in renewable energy will keep money in
Michigan’s economy. It will create thousands of
jobs manufacturing wind turbines and other clean
technologies. And it will give us a reliable source of
energy that never runs out.
Priority Action: Create a public benefits fund of
$150 million per year for energy efficiency and a
20% Renewable Energy Standard by 2020.
Protect Families’ Health (Page 10)
Animal factories are polluting our water, farmland,
and families. An animal factory with 3,000 cows
produces the same amount of urine and feces
as a city the size of Saginaw (or 65,000 people).
Human sewage is carefully collected and treated.
Yet there are no such regulations for livestock
sewage. It contains high levels of dangerous
bacteria, viruses, and toxic odors that are making
people sick. This untreated sewage also flows into
our Great Lakes, which causes beach closings from
the public health risks.
Today, there are more than 200 animal factories
in Michigan. These factories produce as much
pollution as industrial operations, but they are
not required to meet the same environmental
standards. It’s time for that to change.
Priority Action: Pass legislation that brings
animal factories under the same environmental
laws as all other industries.
Safeguard Public Lands (Page 12)
Michigan has the largest state forest system east
of the Mississippi River. In total, the state owns
more than 4.5 million acres of public land for
our enjoyment, about 12% of the total land in
Michigan. Families use these lands for a wide
variety of recreational uses — hunting, mountain
biking, fishing, skiing, hiking, snowmobiling —
the list goes on and on. Our public land is one of
the things that makes Michigan such a great place
to live and visit.
But pressure is mounting to sell these lands,
put up fences, and keep people out. Local
governments are struggling to keep up with the
costs of supporting this land. Michigan legislators
need to step up and protect these properties by
making sure local governments receive the funds
they deserve for doing their part. Once these
properties are developed and fenced, the public
won’t be welcome any more.
Priority Action: Fully fund payments to local
governments where state lands are held.
Preserve Michigan’s Wild Heritage
(Page 14)
Deer hunting is a vital part of Michigan’s outdoor
heritage and recreation economy. Yet growing
wildlife disease may devastate deer populations.
Improper management of captive deer herds is
linked to the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
among wild herds, and Michigan’s regulation of
captive deer herds has been lax.
Switching control of captive deer herds to
the Department of Natural Resources will
reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
to wild deer. It will also protect our outdoor
recreation economy.
Priority Action: Empower the Department of
Natural Resources to regulate Michigan’s captive
deer herds.
Support Smart Growth and
Sound Investments (Page 16)
Without strong cities, Michigan cannot compete
in the global marketplace. We need vibrant cities
to attract and retain young, educated workers. If
we build safe, affordable neighborhoods in our
cities, we can reduce development pressure on our
farms and lakeshores.
We need to start investing in thoughtful planning
for our towns and cities. Michigan needs to
reshape its urban regions around a world-class
transit system. Doing so will make our cities more
attractive to young workers when compared with
other great cities around the country.
Priority Action: Boost state support and enact
new laws to create more local funding tools to
create and operate metropolitan transit systems.
Appendix A: Learn about other critical
issues (Page 18)
Appendix B: Find an environmental group
near you (Page 19)

Michigan’s Environmental Agenda
Defend Great Lakes Water
Every year, fresh water becomes scarcer and
more precious
We all know that water is an essential resource.
About one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water
is found in our Great Lakes. Yet, these waters are Keep sewage out of Michigan’s waterways
not limitless, and they are vulnerable.
A growing population, unwise water uses, and
proposed large-scale exports all threaten our
Great Lakes. Growing
water demand must be A growing population, unwise
monitored to protect
water uses, and proposed large-scale This
trout streams, drinking
water supplies, and our exports all threaten our Great Lakes. 10-20%, releasing
economy. Conserving
water will prevent harm to our lakes, streams,
and drinking water sources. It can save businesses of the few states without a statewide sanitary code
money by reducing operating costs, and it can
create new jobs in water technology industries.
Michigan needs to be on guard against those who
would drain the Lakes and degrade our natural
resources. We need to make it clear that water
belongs to all, not to special interests.
Restore the Great Lakes to greatness
A $20 billion Environmental Protection Agency
blueprint to protect and restore the Great Lakes
was launched in 2006. It calls for upgrading
sewage plants, restoring wetlands, cleaning up
contaminated harbors and bays, and stopping
invasive species. To be successful, actions must be
taken by the Great Lakes states and by Congress.
4 5
Michigan must be a leader. We need to adopt a
restoration plan and earmark matching funds for
new federal money.
Half of our residents dispose of their sewage
through on-site septic systems. When properly
maintained, these systems provide a basic level of
protection for our water. However, many people
don’t know how to
maintain their systems.
leads to a septic
system failure rate of
E. coli bacteria and
other pollutants into our water. Michigan is one
for these systems, and we do not require septic
system inspections. We need to act now to protect
clean water.
Protect Michigan’s water as a public resource
Each state was granted the role of trustee over its
water resources. This has ensured that the public
can enjoy water for boating, swimming, fishing, and
other uses. The recent growth in the packaging and
selling of water for profit shows that some would
like to privatize water. Michigan needs a new law
preventing privatization of our Great Lakes Basin
waters and maintaining public oversight of all
water uses.
What you can do to defend our SURROUNDED BY WATER, MICHIGAN
Great Lakes water NEEDS TO SHOW LEADERSHIP
Priority Action IN CONSERVATION
• Ratify the proposed Great Lakes-Saint For decades, Michigan citizens did not see a need
Lawrence River Basin Water Compact and
to conserve water. They were surrounded by almost
strengthen Michigan’s water use laws.
20% of the world’s fresh water. However, all that has
Further Actions changed in the last 25 years due to growing demands
• Enact Great Lakes restoration legislation for our water.
and earmark matching funds for new federal
Great Lakes restoration money. In 1998, a company obtained a permit from Ontario
to ship up to 50 tankers per year of Lake Superior
• Pass a code that sets statewide standards and
ensures septic systems are properly maintained water to Asian markets. This project dramatized
and water resources are protected the growing political and commercial importance
• Reaffirm in legislation that the public as a whole of water. Michigan was among the states that
owns water resources as a defense against attempts successfully opposed this project and began working
to privatize our water. on a defense against water exports. This resulted in
Who you can contact to learn more about
the proposed Great Lakes Compact of 2005, which
defending our Great Lakes water will come before the state legislature in 2007.
Brian Beauchamp, Michigan League of Conservation It will be impossible to protect our water from being
Voters Education Fund
drained or shipped away if we are not demonstrating
734-222-9650 brian@michiganlcv.org the importance of water to our environment and its
James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council people.
517-487-9539 jamesmec@voyager.net
“Our Great Lakes state has to set the example for its
Jamie Cross, Alliance for the Great Lakes
neighbors by promoting efficient water use,” says
616-850-0745 jcross@greatlakes.org
Terry Swier, president of Michigan Citizens for Water
Molly Flanagan, National Wildlife Federation
Conservation. “It will not only help our economy, but
734-769-3351 flanaganm@nwf.org
also shows others that we are serious stewards of our
Erin McDonough, Michigan United water resources.”
Conservation Clubs
517-346-6475 emcdonough@mucc.org
Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Action
517-203-0754 croper@cleanwater.org
Mike Shriberg, Environment Michigan
734-662-6597
mshriberg@environmentmichigan.org
Terry Swier, Michigan Citizens for
Water Conservation
231-972-8856 tswier@centurytel.net
Grenetta Thomassey, Tip of the Mitt
Watershed Council
231-347-1181 grenetta@watershedcouncil.org
 Michigan’s Environmental Agenda
Build a Clean Energy Future
Michigan residents spend approximately $20
billion a year for fuels that are imported from other
states and overseas—money that could be used
to help our state’s economy. We rely heavily on
dirty coal and nuclear technology that has given
us poisoned lakes and fish, shorter life spans, and
some of the highest asthma rates in the country.
It’s time to try something new.
We can act now to create a better energy future for
Michigan. Energy efficiency programs could save
$4 billion a year in energy costs— just as a start.
Investing in renewable energy will keep money in
Michigan’s economy. It will create thousands of
jobs manufacturing wind turbines and other clean
technologies. It will
reduce the risk of global Michigan residents spend $20 billion
warming and its impacts
a year importing fuels that come
on the Great Lakes, and
from other states and overseas—
it will give us a reliable
source of energy that money that could be used to help our
never runs out.
state’s economy.
Save money by
restarting energy efficiency
programs statewide
Investing in energy efficiency is the fastest, safest,
and cheapest way to reduce our dependence on
dirty, imported energy. These programs can actually
save us money. They cost less than half of what it
takes to build a new power plant. Eighteen other
states have started similar programs with great
success. In some cases, they not only meet all new
electricity needs, but even reduce total demand.
Foster job growth through a new, renewable
energy industry
States that set minimum renewable requirements
have seen a surge in jobs providing clean energy.
States that rely on voluntary programs have failed
6 7
to attract the same investments. Michigan has
outstanding untapped potential for thousands of
jobs in wind energy. Michigan should require at
least 20% of its electricity from clean, renewable
sources by 2020.
Support clean and healthy biofuels
The use of crops or other organic “biomass” as
sources of vehicle fuels holds great promise if done
responsibly. It could help farmers and help break
our “oil addiction.” But, to realize that promise, we
need to move past current technologies, such as
corn-based ethanol, to cleaner and more efficient
options, such as cellulosic ethanol (that use stalks
and grasses) and clean biodiesel.
To make us national
leaders, our legislature
should commit at
least $5 billion from
the 21st Century
Jobs Fund and other
sources over the next
10 years to clean
energy ventures, including renewables, new biofuel
technology and energy efficiency projects.
Get rid of outdated building codes and
update appliance efficiency
Our building codes are woefully inefficient. We lag
behind other states and waste energy with these
outdated codes. If we update our residential and
commercial building codes, Michigan can reduce
energy use and keep more money here.
Michigan needs to update energy standards for 10
everyday products, like home furnaces. It would
save consumers more than $2 billion over the next
25 years. Modern standards would help remove the
most inefficient appliances from store shelves.
What you can do to build a clean
energy future
Priority Action
• Create a public benefits fund of at least
$150 million per year to support energy
efficiency projects. GREEN ENERGY POLICY
MEANS MORE JOBS
Further Actions
• Require at least 20% of Michigan’s electricity A worldwide renewable energy boom is
come from clean, renewable sources by 2020.
happening, and Michigan should jump on board.
• Make energy efficiency, clean biofuels, and Studies by the American Council for an Energy
renewable energy a key part of growing our
Efficient Economy, the Union of Concerned Scientists,
economy by committing at least $5 billion to
clean energy ventures over the next 10 years.
and The Renewable Energy Policy Project have found
that a smart, green energy policy in Michigan would
• Update commercial and residential building
create thousands of new jobs.
codes and energy efficiency standards for
appliances used every day in homes and
Some jobs already on their way to Michigan:
businesses.
Who you can contact to learn more about
• United Solar Ovonic is investing $129 million to
building a clean energy future locate a new production facility in Greenville. The
facility will create 200 new jobs to manufacture solar
Brian Beauchamp, Michigan League of Conservation
energy equipment.
Voters Education Fund
734-222-9650 brian@michiganlcv.org • Noble Environmental Power is building a
David Gard, Michigan Environmental Council 32-turbine wind energy park near the village of
517-487-9539 dgard@mecprotects.org Ubly in the Thumb. The project brings land lease
Patricia Gillis, Voices for Earth Justice payments to farmers. And it will provide 200
586-779-8015 voices4earth@juno.com temporary construction jobs and 10 permanent
Charles Griffith, Ecology Center jobs to operate and maintain the wind generators.
734-761-3186 x 116 charlesg@ecocenter.org
• Hemlock Semiconductor is the world's leading
Zoe Lipman, National Wildlife Federation
producer of polycrystalline silicon. They are
734-769-3351 lipman@nwf.org
spending $400-$500 million to expand their
Father Charles Morris, Michigan Interfaith Hemlock headquarters near Saginaw and they
Power and Light
are growing because of the high demand for this
734-552-0104 miipandl@yahoo.com
material to produce solar cells.
Kim Pargoff, Environment Michigan
517-485-1003 kpargoff@environmentmichigan.org This is a hopeful start, but much more is possible.
Other states are leapfrogging Michigan because
David Pettit, PIRGIM
of their clean energy policies. Our legislature has
734-662-6597 dpettit@pirgim.org
the power to boost Michigan’s economy today and
compete in this emerging market. They should
require that 20% of our electricity come from clean,
homegrown, renewable sources by 2020.
 Michigan’s Environmental Agenda Coal-fired power plants are the main source of
mercury emissions today. Michigan has started to
HOW ANIMAL FACTORY POLLUTION

Protect Families’ Health get rid of mercury pollution by requiring a 90%

reduction from those plants by 2015. Now, we must
implement this rule and reduce other major mercury
sources. They include cement plants and products
THREATENS THE FUTURE OF
FAMILY FARMS

John and Peggy Zachel of Morenci have been

Our health and our environment are
innately linked
Human and animal wastes, pesticides, toxic metals,
and many other pollutants are being released into
our air, water, and consumer products. Scientists
are uncovering the links between chemicals and
childhood diseases and, in many cases, the findings
are alarming.
The most effective and least costly solution is
prevention. Nationally, the effects of pollutants
on children’s health cost more than $54 billion a
year. Green chemists have
successfully found natural Now is the time to renew our
substitutes for many toxic
chemicals. These “green”
commitment to poison-free
Polluted animal factory sludge is spread on fields,
where it runs into nearby streams or soaks into
the ground. It poisons drinking water and releases
noxious fumes. It makes people sick throughout
Michigan. It flows into our Great Lakes and causes
beach closings from the public health risks.
Today, there are more than 200 animal factories
in Michigan. These factories produce as much
pollution—including toxic odors, bacteria and
viruses—as industrial operations. But, they are
not required to meet the same environmental
standards. It’s time for
that to change.
Ban toxic lindane
such as barometers and switches that release mercury
when dumped in landfills or burned. Michigan must
also ban the remaining mercury-containing products
that are still used in the state.
What you can do to protect your
family’s health
Priority Actions
• Pass legislation that brings animal factories under
the same environmental laws as all other industries.
• Support tough enforcement of environmental
standards for animal factory pollution.
Further Actions
• Support the development of Green Chemistry
farming their land for more than 50 years. Today,
they wake up each day to a nightmare. Three years
ago, an animal factory moved in across the road. They
now have 4,000 hogs practically in their front yard.
It is an incredible assault on the senses. The constant
noise of pigs, trucks, and other machinery. The clouds
of dust and flies always in the air and, above all, the
stench. It permeates everything: clothes, furniture,
even food. And it never goes away.
Kathy Melmoth is a registered nurse in Pittsford,
Michigan. For the past few years (since animal
factories moved in), she’s watched her neighbors and

communities and protecting our
chemicals both limit
health risks and reduce
families’ health.
costs for businesses dealing
with hazardous chemicals.
Other sensible steps are also available. Our state
was among the first to crack down on the health
risks of DDT, mercury, and toxic waste sites that
threatened drinking water supplies and people.
Now is the time to renew our commitment to
poison-free communities and protecting our
families’ health.
Clean up animal factory pollution
Animal factories, also known as concentrated
animal feeding operations (CAFOs), are polluting
our water, farmland, and families. An animal
factory with 3,000 cows produces the same amount
of urine and feces as a city the size of Saginaw
(or 65,000 people). Human sewage is carefully
collected and treated. Yet there are no such
regulations for livestock sewage. It contains high
levels of dangerous bacteria and disease-causing
pathogens (like giardia and cryptosporidium).
from use on kids
Lindane is a neurotoxic
pesticide that should
not be allowed as a
pharmaceutical treatment for head lice in children.
Pharmaceutical use of lindane has been phased
out in 52 countries and California. Many health
professional organizations and the Michigan
Department of Community Health support a ban.
Protect children from mercury
In Michigan, one out of every 10 women of
childbearing age has unsafe levels of mercury
in her blood. Each year, about 60,000 babies
nationally suffer developmental harm because their
moms ate mercury contaminated fish. Mercury is
a toxin that harms a child’s developing brain. It is
poisonous even in small amounts. Kids exposed to
mercury can develop learning
disabilities and
problems with
their nervous
system.
in Michigan.
• Phase out the use of priority neurotoxic chemicals
including mercury and lindane.
• Reduce mercury emissions from cement plants,
other industrial sources, and phase out mercury in
health care products, toys, and other uses where
safe alternatives are available.
Who you can contact to learn more about
protecting your family’s health
Tracey Easthope, Ecology Center
734-761-3186 tracey@ecocenter.org
Tess Karwoski, Michigan Environmental Council
517-487-9539 tessmec@voyager.net
Kate Madigan, Michigan Environmental Council
517-487-9539 katemec@voyager.net
David Pettit, PIRGIM
734-662-6597 dpettit@pirgrim.org
Mike Shriberg, Environment Michigan
734-662-9797
mshriberg@environmentmichigan.org
Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
517- 484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org
friends suffer. Every day, they are forced to breathe
volatile chemicals like methane, ammonia, and
hydrogen sulfide. The result is burning eyes, nausea,
breathing difficulties, diarrhea, and sinus infections.
The animal factories’ liquid mixture of feces, urine
and chemicals is spread untreated on nearby fields,
soaking into ground water and running into streams.
The pollution from the waste pits under the hog
barns has ruined the Zachel’s property value and
threatened their health. The Michigan Departments
of Agriculture and Environmental Quality have been
unable to stop this pollution. Regulations are weak
because current law treats animal factories like
farms instead of industrial operations. The Michigan
Right to Farm Act preempts local governments from
regulating animal factories. There is not enough
funding for state enforcement of water quality laws. It
is time for Michigan legislators to step up and do the
right thing to protect our water and family farms.

8 9

Michigan’s Environmental Agenda
Safeguard Public Lands
Michigan has the largest state forest system east
of the Mississippi River. In total, the state owns
more than 4.5 million acres of public land for our
enjoyment, about 12% of the land in Michigan.
We have close to 100 state parks and recreation
areas, and a system of trails that is the envy of
many states.
Families use these lands for a wide variety
of recreational uses—
hunting, mountain
Our public land is one of the things pending for years.
biking, fishing, skiing,
hiking, snowmobiling—
that make Michigan such a great
the list goes on and on. place to live and
Our public land is one
of the things that make Michigan such a great
place to live and visit. However, these lands are
at risk from increasing development, mining,
logging and drilling.
Fund local governments to preserve
public lands
Local governments are struggling to keep up with
the costs of supporting our public land. Pressure
is mounting to sell these lands, put up fences, and
keep people out. Michigan legislators need to step
up and protect these properties by making sure
local governments receive the funds they deserve
for doing their part. Once these properties are
developed and fenced, the public won’t be
welcome anymore.
10
Revive Michigan’s natural areas program
A 1972 law allows the conservation of up to 15%
of all state-owned land as wilderness and natural
areas. But outside of the Porcupine Mountains
State Park, less than 6,000 acres of the more than
4.5 million acres of state land have been conserved,
and no new natural areas have been established in
the last 18 years. For example, a proposal to protect
lands surrounding Ludington State Park from
development has been
Our legislature should
visit. urge the Department
of Natural Resources
to increase their use of the Wilderness and
Natural Areas Act to protect more areas, including
all lands with currently pending wilderness
designation decisions.
Repair damage from off-road vehicles
Our state offers funding to maintain off-road
vehicle (ORV) trails on public lands. The money
can be used to maintain existing trails, develop
new trails, and repair areas disturbed by ORV
use. But the grants are not available to those who
want to repair ORV damage on private land, even
if that land is open to the public. The state creates
trails that lead to, or are very near, private property.
ORV damage is often caused by riders trespassing
from state lands. Michigan needs to prioritize use
of this fund to pay for ORV damage on private and
public lands.
What you can do to safeguard public lands
Priority Action
• Fully fund payments to local governments where
state lands are held.
Further Actions
• Revive Michigan’s natural areas program,
assuring long-term conservation of critical
state-owned lands.
• Reform the ORV trails program by
(1) allowing use of the Off-Road Trail Vehicle
Improvement Fund to restore private lands
damaged by ORV use and
(2) increasing Fund revenues.
Who you can contact to learn more about
safeguarding public lands
Leo Dorr, Great Lakes Bioregional Land Conservancy
810-664-5647 ldorr@usol.com
Jeremy Emmi, Michigan Nature Association
517-655-5655 jemmi@michigannature.org
Donna Folland, Oakland Land Conservancy
248-601-2816
dfolland@oaklandlandconservancy.org
Brad Garmon, Michigan Environmental Council
517-487-9539 bradmec@voyager.net
Erin McDonough, Michigan United
Conservation Clubs
517-371-1041 emcdonough@mucc.org
Mike Shriberg, Environment Michigan
734-662-9797
mshriberg@environmentmichigan.org
Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
517-484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org
FUNDS NEEDED TO REPAIR PUBLIC
ORV DAMAGE IN PRIVATE
NATURE SANCTUARIES
In a remote area of the Upper Peninsula, not
far from Whitefish Point, the Michigan Nature
Association owns and protects over 300 acres of land
near Lake Superior. Unfortunately, their trails are often
confused with the State Forest Off-Road Vehicle (ORV)
trail system.
Many ORV trail users on state land find themselves
riding in unfamiliar areas. This causes them to often
end up on protected land owned by the Michigan
Nature Association. Some efforts have been made
to stop ORV trespasses, but the sheer volume of
riders on state trails still results in erosion damage to
adjacent nature sanctuaries.
Michigan has grant funding for private organizations
or individuals who want to restore ORV damage
on “public land,” but the funding cannot be used
to restore ORV damage on private land, even if it is
open to the public. As a result, the Michigan Nature
Association has not been able to restore the ORV
damage from riders coming off of state trails. Many
private landowners are the victims of trespassing
ORVs, but state lawmakers have the power to help
restore these lands.
11
 Michigan’s Environmental Agenda
Preserve Michigan’s Wild Heritage
Michigan’s tourism economy depends on
healthy wild habitats
Tourism brings $10-12 billion into our state each
year, about half of which comes from hunters and
anglers. People come to Michigan from all over the
country because of our amazing wild heritage. Our
natural places provide clean water, diverse wildlife,Michigan, however, has already lost half of its
and chances to learn about the natural world.
Anglers fly-fish on the Our natural places provide clean
Au Sable River and sport
fish on the Great Lakes. water, wildlife habitat, and chances through both strong
Bird watchers wander to learn about the natural world.
the state from Humbug
Marsh near Detroit to Whitefish Point. Every fall,
duck and deer hunters flock to northern forests
and wetlands. Families camp along woods and
lakes, and skiers explore our wild snowscapes. Our
natural resources boost the state’s economy and
provide refuge from the stresses of everyday life.
Michigan must keep diverse, quality habitats if
it wants to preserve its wild heritage. Wetlands
are crucial to water quality, but also to breeding
fish, waterfowl and bird populations. Sustainable
forest management assures healthy woodlands and
diverse wildlife habitat.
Reduce the spread of wildlife disease
Deer hunting is a vital part of Michigan’s outdoor
heritage and recreation economy. Yet spreading
wildlife disease may ruin deer populations. Poor
management of captive deer herds is linked to
the spread of chronic wasting disease among
wild herds, and regulation of captive deer herds
has been lax.
Switching control of the captive deer herds to the
Department of Natural Resources will reduce the
spread of chronic wasting disease to wild deer. It
will also protect our outdoor recreation economy.
12
Protect Michigan’s vital wetlands
Wetlands act as valuable pollution filters and flood
controls. They are also prime fish and wildlife
habitat for many species. Their ecological benefits
are worth billions of dollars.
original wetlands. We need to conserve our
remaining wetlands
and restore degraded
ones. This can be done
law enforcement and
financial incentives.
A proven step is to get farmers to enroll their
marginal lands in wetland conservation programs.
Lawmakers need to get rid of loopholes and
strengthen our wetlands protection law.
Remove “timber quotas” and fund state
forest management
Public officials spent more than a hundred years
restoring our forests after the destructive timber
harvest of the late 1800s. That investment is paying
off: today, on top of the forestry jobs, there are a
growing number of jobs linked to tourism and
outdoor recreation. But, the threats to our forests
still exist. Recently, there has been increased
pressure on state forests to produce more timber
at the expense of other forest values.
We praise the recent efforts to get state forests
certified as “sustainable.” Yet to stay certified,
lawmakers need to get rid of “timber quotas.”
Moreover, adequate funds need to be set aside
for conservation and management, and forest
planning should allow for multiple public benefits,
like recreation, natural diversity, and wildlife
management.
What you can do to preserve Michigan’s
wild heritage
Priority Action
• Empower the Department of Natural Resources to
regulate Michigan’s captive deer herds.
Further Actions
• Get rid of loopholes and strengthen Michigan’s
wetlands protection law.
• Promote sustainable forest management on
state lands by removing “timber quotas” that skew
policy away from what is best for long-term, native
forest restoration.
Who you can contact to learn more about
preserving Michigan’s wild heritage
Molly Flanagan, National Wildlife Federation
734-769-3351 flanaganm@nwf.org
Jennifer McKay, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
231-347-1181 jenniferm@watershedcouncil.org
Donna Stine, Michigan United Conservation Clubs
517-371-1041 destine@mucc.org
Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
(517) 484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org
BEACH GROOMING THREATENS
COASTAL WETLANDS
Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula is
characterized by unique coastal wetlands. These
marshes are vital to the overall health of our Great
Lakes. Unfortunately, the region’s tourist-driven
economy has led hotel and motel owners to destroy
these wetlands by trying to turn them into beaches.
On east Grand Traverse Bay, we find the Cherry Tree
Inn altering and removing coastal wetlands. When
Great Lakes water levels dropped (a prime time for
coastal wetlands to flourish), the Cherry Tree Inn
bulldozed 400 feet of coastal wetlands, attempting
to create a beach. Their attempt to duplicate nature
failed miserably.
Local citizens, watershed groups, and tribal
governments were outraged. They called for
investigations by the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. The investigation concluded the
Cherry Tree Inn’s activities were outside the
scope of permitted activity. Although violation
notices were sent, and state and federal lawmakers
got involved, the coastal marsh continues to
be destroyed.
In 2003, the Legislature weakened the Michigan
Wetlands Protection Act. This change allowed for the
destruction of coastal wetlands without a permit. So,
the Cherry Tree Inn claimed they were following the
law when they ruined the wetlands. Lawmakers need
to get rid of loopholes that allow harmful activities
and prevent future weakening of the law.
13
 Michigan’s Environmental Agenda PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROTECTS
What you can do to support smart growth and OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY
Support Growth and Sound Investments sound investments

Unplanned, out-of-control sprawl is
damaging our economy and communities
Michigan is a state in transition. Our cities are
losing people, housing, and jobs. This is more than
an economic problem—it’s also an investment
problem. We have paid a high price to shift our
Michigan’s economic incentive programs should
population farther and farther out from our cities.
projects, like new roads, big-box retail, and business
parks. They are driving people away from our cities
and squandering valuable farmland. These wasteful
land practices are not a product of the “free
market;” they are driven by government action.
Priority Action
• Support the development of world-class public
transit systems and invest to invigorate Michigan’s
metropolitan areas.
Further Actions
• Fund the state’s Comprehensive Transportation
Fund (for public transit) at its constitutionally
allowed 10% of all gas tax revenues.
A single transit vehicle can take dozens of cars off
the road. Increased use of public transportation
is the most effective way to our country’s energy
independence. Europeans use public transit for about
10% of daily travel. If the United States did the same,
it would reduce imported oil by more than 40%.
Public transit systems can also bring new
development and economic benefits. In the

We have paved over our prized farms and forests. focus their help in communities with Smart November 2004 election, voters across the country
• Support and approve funds to continue the
We have overbuilt our infrastructure, and we Growth Planning. This planning is designed to approved 33 transit ballot measures. These measures
development of regional transit initiatives,
have abandoned the people left behind in our promote vital urban centers and efficient land
including the Ann Arbor-Detroit Commuter Rail will raise $49.2 billion for transit, almost half for
cities and towns. use. We need to enact
Project (with federal matching dollars), light rail regional transit systems.
“Commerce Centers”
This outward exodus
We cannot afford to throw legislation to reward
on the Woodward Corridor in Detroit, and
streetcar projects in Grand Rapids. Denver voters, for example, approved a 0.4¢ sales tax
of people, resources away taxpayer dollars funding communities that
increase, which will raise $4.2 billion to build 119 miles
and opportunity has to adopt Smart Growth • Review state funding programs that affect local
inefficient road and highway- land use plans and create incentives to reward of light rail and commuter rail, 18 miles of bus rapid
be reversed if we want ordinances and tools.
Michigan to become a only transportation systems that communities that employ smart growth techniques. transit, and expand its bus system. Phoenix voters
leader in job creation and expand urban sprawl and benefit We need to • Streamline state laws affecting local land use approved a 0.5¢ sales tax extension, which will raise
resource conservation. coordinate local planning and zoning to improve decision-making.
a few, but cost us all. land use planning
$2.8 billion to build 27.7 miles of light rail, add 12

To increase our economic
competitiveness, we need to become more efficient.
We cannot afford to throw away taxpayer dollars
to subsidize inefficient transportation systems
and urban sprawl that benefits a few and costs us
all. We must not let others exploit our land as a
dumping ground for their wastes.
Michigan needs convenient, economical
mass transit
Our country’s most vibrant metropolitan centers
are served by convenient, economical mass transit
systems that include bus, light rail, and regional
commuter rail. These transit systems reduce traffic
congestion. They allow for easier long-distance
commutes, and they attract new employers who
value the high quality of life associated with
modern transit.
Our tax dollars are subsidizing sprawl and
hurting family farmers
Too many of our economic incentive programs
funnel tax dollars into costly and wasteful sprawl
Our patchwork of local
planning and zoning laws adds to the state’s
land use problems. Cities, villages, townships,
and counties each plan and zone under laws that
differ in significant ways. The legislature should
consolidate planning and zoning laws to make
them consistent. In addition, it needs to revise the
Land Division Act so it no longer promotes sprawl
and reduces open space.
It’s time to stop out of state trash
Almost 30% of all trash in Michigan comes from
out of state. Part of the problem is that Michigan
only has a 21¢ per ton dumping charge on garbage
(added to the fee the landfill charges). This is
one of the lowest in the region. In addition, we
have no limits on new landfills. We need to bring
Michigan rates up to market levels by raising our
dumping charges $7.50 per ton, and we need to put
a moratorium on new landfill capacity. This will
reduce trash trucks from Canada and other states
from clogging our roads and provide funds for
local recycling programs.
• Impose a moratorium on landfill expansion and
place a surcharge on landfilled waste to protect
public health and discourage out-of-state waste
dumping in Michigan.
Who you can contact to learn more
about supporting smart growth and
sound investments
Mike Garfield, Ecology Center
734-761-3186 x 104 michaelg@ecocenter.org
Brad Garmon, Michigan Environmental Council
517-487-9539 bradmec@voyager.net
Erin McDonough, Michigan United
Conservation Clubs
517-346-6475 emcdonough@mucc.org
Megan Owens, Transportation Riders United
313-963-8872 mowens@detroittransit.org
Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Action
517-203-0754 croper@cleanwater.org
new bus routes, and 14 new rapid transit routes to
its bus system.
As a result, Denver and Phoenix are poised to realize
economic benefit through multi-million dollar
development projects along their transit lines much
like Tampa and Portland already have. For example,
in less than two years after the TECO line opened in
Tampa, $800 million in construction occurred within
two blocks of the line. And in Portland, more than
$1 billion in private capital has been invested along
its transit line since 1997.
“Studies show that employees weigh an area’s quality
of life when deciding where to look for work. And a
high-quality public transit system is one of the first
factors they consider when evaluating quality of
life,” said Jim Erkel, a Minnesota transportation policy
expert. “Without a highly-skilled, educated workforce,
our region can’t compete.”

14 15
 Appendix A Appendix B

Learn About Other Critical Issues Find an Environmental Group Near You
“Environmentally friendly cars will soon cease to be an option…they will become a necessity.” “I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which will protect
—FUJIO CHO, PRESIDENT OF TOYOTA MOTORS, the beauty of our natural environment, which will preserve the great old American houses and
NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, 2004 squares and parks of our national past and which will build handsome and balanced cities for
our future.” — JOHN F. KENNEDY
Provide Environmental Education “fair treatment for people of all races, cultures,
Michigan’s natural resources drive much of and incomes, regarding the development of
its economy. Yet our state does a poor job of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”
promoting sustainable practices. We need to Concern that minority populations and/or low- 4 Towns Citizens Action Team Arab Community Center for Clean Water Action
Julie LeBlanc Economic and Social Services David Holtz
provide environmental education to students, income populations bear a disproportionate
7071 Locklin St. (ACCESS) 1200 Michigan Ave.
teachers, businesses, consumers, and government. amount of adverse health and environmental West Bloomfield, MI 48324 Kathryn Savoie East Lansing, MI 48823
Programs should teach about water quality, energy effects led President Clinton to issue Executive (248) 363-6128 6450 Maple St. (517) 203-0754
conservation, ecosystem balance, and outdoor Order 12898 in 1994, focusing federal agency juliejack3@aol.com Dearborn, MI 48126 (517) 203-0760 fax
recreation. By providing hands-on experience in attention on these issues. www.4townsunionlake.org (313) 216-2225 dholtz@cleanwater.org
a real world context, Michigan can foster better ksavoie@accesscommunity.org www.cleanwateraction.org
Michigan is experiencing these problems first Alliance for the Great Lakes www.accesscommunity.org
environmental stewardship.
hand. The child asthma rates in Southeast Jamie Morton Concerned Citizens of
Make Clean Cars Michigan are among the highest in the country, a 700 Fulton St., Suite A Brownstown Land Conservancy Acme Township
Grand Haven, MI 49417 Richard Smith Denny Rohn
Michigan residents drive 100 billion miles a major cause of missed school days. Lead poisoning
(616) 850-0745 24781 Pamela St. 9267 Shaw Rd.
year. The resulting tailpipe emissions add to air of children still remains a major problem. Many (616) 850-0765 fax Brownstown, MI 48134 Williamsburg, MI 49698
pollution and pubic health problems. We need studies show decreases in educational performances Michigan@greatlakes.org (734) 782-5834 (231) 938-2748
to help our automakers shift production to new, of our children due to increased exposure to air jcross@greatlakes.org (734) 675-2692 mdwr@aol.com
cleaner vehicles. Clean cars will give us cleaner air toxics and water toxics. www.lakemichigan.org rsmith97@wdl.net
and help our businesses compete in tomorrow’s Detroit Audubon Society
global economy. Michigan should follow the federal example American Lung Association of Citizens for Alternatives to Gisela King
and make sure that no region or segment of our Michigan Chemical Contamination 9601 Fish Lake Rd.
Regulate Risky Mining Activities populations bears an unfair burden from pollution. Ray Maloni, Director of John Witucki Holly, MI 48442
Business Operations 904 E. Florence (248) 634-7668
Mining in sulfide-based ores is a risky business. We can address these issues by first recognizing
25900 Greenfield Rd., Suite 401 Bay City, MI 48707 glendle@att.net
Sulfide mining combines metallic deposits with which parts of Michigan are impacted the most. Oak Park, MI 48237 (989) 892-6174
sulfur to form metallic sulfides. If these sulfide Then, we can implement pollution prevention (248) 784-2022 jwitucki@allvantage.com Detroiters Working for
ores or their waste rocks are exposed to water and focused environmental health improvement rmaloni@alam.org www.caccmi.org Environmental Justice
or air, they form sulfuric acid. If not properly programs to reduce the public health impacts on www.alam.org Donele Wilkins
contained and managed, the resulting acid drainage our kids. Citizens for Water and Clean Sky P.O. Box 14944
pollutes ground and surface waters, which can ruin Anglers of the AuSable Freda St. John Detroit, MI 48214
Calvin Gates, Jr 5200 D Rd. (313) 833-3935
wildlife habitat, threaten human health, and hurt
403 Black Bear Dr. Bark River, MI 49807 (313) 833-3955 fax
our outdoor recreation economy. This is why the Grayling, MI 49738 (906) 789-5107 dwdwej@aol.com
administration, supported as needed by the state (989) 348-8462 (906) 789-5130 fax www.dwej.org
legislature, needs to enforce the laws to minimize gator@gateslodge.com rstjohn@up.net
these risks. www.ausableanglers.org

Environmental Justice
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
defines Environmental Justice (EJ) as the
Continued

16 17
 Appendix B — Find an Environmental Group Near You Appendix B— Find an Environmental Group Near You

Dwight Lydell Chapter of
the Izaak Walton League
of America
John Trimberger, Conservation
Chairman
6260 Blythefield NE
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-8475
jtrimber@earthlink.net
www.michiganhikes.org
East Michigan Environmental
Action Council
Diana Seales
21220 W. 14 Mile Rd.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 258-5188
(248) 258-5189 fax
director@emeac.org
www.emeac.org
Ecology Center
Mike Garfield
117 N. Division
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-2400
(734) 663-2414 fax
michaelg@ecocenter.org
www.ecocenter.org
Environment Michigan
Mike Shriberg
103 E. Liberty, Suite 202
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-6597
(734) 662-8393 fax
mshriberg@environment
michigan.org
www.environmentmichigan.org
Environmentally Concerned
Citizens of South Central
Michigan
Richard A. Chudey
13854 Emens Dr.
Hudson, MI 49247
(517) 383-2519
bevrca@frontiernet.net
http://nocafos.org/
Friends of the Cedar River
Watershed
Larry Rochon
872 Bron-Del
Petoskey, MI 49770
(231) 347-1579 phone and fax
rochon@freeway.net
Friends of the Crystal River
Barbara Weber
P.O. Box 123
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
(231) 386-9285
(231) 386-9485 fax
bgweber@attglobal.net
www.friendsofthecrystalriver.org
Friends of the Detroit River
Jane Mackey
3020 Oakwood Blvd.
Melvindale, MI 48122
(313) 388-8892
river@detroitriver.org
www.detroitriver.org
Friends of the Jordan River
Watershed
John Richter
P.O. Box 412
East Jordan, MI 49727
(231) 536-9947
(231) 536-9947 fax
foj@friendsofthejordan.org
www.friendsofthejordan.org
Friends of the Rouge
Carolyne McCaughey University of
Michigan—Dearborn
4901 Evergreen, 220 ASC
Dearborn, MI 48128
(313) 792-9900
(313) 792-9628 fax
ed@therouge.org
www.therouge.org
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa
and Chippewa Indians
Andrew Knott
2605 N. West Bayshore Dr.
Peshawbestown, MI 49682
(231) 271-7368
(231) 271-7715 fax
aknott@gtbindians.com
Great Lakes Bioregional Land
Conservancy
Leo W. Dorr
1062 Morris Rd.
Lapeer, MI 48846-9439
(810) 664-5647
(810) 664-5682 fax
ldorr@usol.com
http://glblc.lapeer.org/
Hamtramck Environmental
Action Team
Rob Cedar
3338 Doremus St.
Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 871-9002
RobC313@aol.com
Huron River Watershed Council Livingston Land Conservancy Michigan Citizens Against
Laura Rubin Sara Thomas Toxic Substances
1100 N. Main St., Suite 210 P.O. Box 236 William Tobler
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Brighton, MI 48116-0236 13555 Bunton Rd.
(734) 769-5123 (810) 229-3290 Willis, MI 48191-9757
(734) 998-0163 Fax info@livingstonlandconservancy.org (734) 587-3631
lrubin@hrwc.org www.livingstonlandconservancy.org williamtobler@critterswoods.org
www.hrwc.org www.mcats.org
Local Motion
Kalamazoo Environmental Robin Heller Michigan Citizens for
Council 16824 Kercheval Ave., Suite B100 Water Conservation
Don Brown Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 Terry Swier
1624 Grand Ave. (313) 881-2263 14134 Percy Dr.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006 rheller@local-motion.org Mecosta, MI 49332
(269) 344-0536 www.local-motion.org (231) 972-8856
mbrown@kalnet.net (231) 972-8892
Lone Tree Council tswier@centurytel.net
League of Michigan Bicyclists Terry Miller www.savemiwater.org/
Rich Moeller, Ex. Director 4649 David Ct.
410 South Cedar St., Suite G Bay City, MI 48706 Michigan Coalition on the
Lansing, MI 48912 (989) 686-6386 Environment and Jewish Life
(517) 334-9100 terbar@charter.net (MICOEJL)
(517) 334-9111 fax Sara Bernstein
office@lmb.org Michigan Audubon Society 6735 Telegraph Rd., Suite 205
www.lmb.org Mike Boyce, President Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Michigan Audubon Society (248) 642-5393
League of Women Voters of 6011 W. St. Joseph Hwy., Suite 403 (248) 642-6469 fax
Michigan Lansing, MI 48917 mi-coejl@jfmd.org
Pat Donath (517) 886-9144
200 Museum Dr., Suite 104 mike@michiganaudubon.org Michigan Interfaith
Lansing, MI 48933 www.michiganaudubon.org Power and Light
(517) 484-5383 Fr. Charles Morris
office@lwvmi.org Michigan Chapter of the North P.O. Box 4606
www.lwvmi.org American Lake Management East Lansing, MI 48826
Society (734) 552-0104
Liaison for Inter-Neighborhood Ann St. Amand, Secretary miipandl@yahoo.com
Cooperation 620 Broad St., Suite 100 www.miipl.org
Eleanor Luecke St. Joseph, MI 49085
1893 Birchwood Dr. (269) 983-3654 Michigan Land Trustees, Inc.
Okemos, MI 48864 (866) 728-5579 fax Ken Dahlberg
(517) 349-4306 astamand@phycotech.com 2427 Kensington Dr.
luecke1893@aol.com Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 343-4748
www.michiganlandtrust.org

18 19
 Appendix B— Find an Environmental Group Near You
Michigan Land Use Institute
Hans Voss
P.O. Box 500
Beulah, MI 49617
(231) 882-4723
(231) 882-7350 fax
hans@mlui.org
www.mlui.org
Michigan League of
Conservation Voters
Education Fund
Lisa Wozniak
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 300
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 222-9650
lisa@michiganlcv.org
www.michiganlcvedfund.org
Michigan Mountain Biking
Association
Todd Scott
5119 Highland Rd., PMB 268
Waterford, MI 48327
(248) 288-3753
execdir@mmba.org
www.mmba.org
Michigan Natural Areas Council
Christopher Graham
925 Aberdeen Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 975-7800
(734) 975-2424 fax
grahamz@umich.edu
www.cyberspace.org/~mnac
Michigan Nature Association
Jeremy Emmi
326 E. Grand River Ave.
Williamston, MI 48895
(517) 655-5655
(517) 655-5506 fax
jemmi@michigannature.org
www.michigannature.org
20
The Nature Conservancy
Michigan Chapter
Great Lakes Program
8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 2301
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 759-8017
(312) 759-8409 fax
greatlakes@tnc.org
Michigan Nurses Association
Tom Bissonnette
2310 Jolly Oak Rd.
Okemos, MI 48864
(517) 349-5640
(517) 349-5818 fax
tom.bissonnette@minurses.org
www.minurses.org
Michigan Organic Food and
Farm Alliance
Taylor Reid
P.O. Box 36880
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
(810) 659-8414
reidtayl@msu.edu
www.moffa.org
Michigan Recycling Coalition
Nancy Hawkins
3225 W. St. Joseph
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 327-9207
(517) 321-0495 fax
nancyh@eurich.com
www.michiganrecycles.org
Michigan Resource Stewards
Dave Borgeson
c/o Tom Jenkins
Traverse City, MI 49686
davidpborgeson@aol.com
Michigan Trails and
Greenways Alliance
Nancy Krupiarz
410 S. Cedar St., Suite A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 485-6022
(517) 485-9181 fax
nancy@michigantrails.org
www.michigantrails.org
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs (MUCC)
Erin McDonough
P.O. Box 30235
Lansing, MI 48909-7735
517/371-1505 fax
517/371-1041
2101 Wood Street
Lansing, MI 48912-3785
Mid-Michigan Environmental
Action Council
Gene Townsend
Jessica Yorko
P.O. Box 17164
Lansing, MI 48901
(517) 485-9001
yorko446@cs.com
www.midmeac.org
Milan Area Concerned Citizens
Jim Hokenson
P.O. Box 22
Milan, MI 48160
(734) 439-8414
railyard@dundee.net
www.stopgmrailyard.com
Mott Community College
Environmental Club
Suzanne Lossing
1401 E. Court St.
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 762-0520
vslossing@mcc.edu
Appendix B— Find an Environmental Group Near You
National Environmental Trust/MI
Vicki Levengood, Michigan
Representative
1606 Melrose
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 333-5786
vleven@ameritech.net
www.environet.org
National Wildlife Federation/
Great Lakes Natural
Resource Council
Andy Buchsbaum
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 769-3351
buchsbaum@nwf.org
www.nwf.org
Northern Michigan
Environmental
Action Council
Ken Smith
3055 Cass Rd., Suite 102-B
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 946-6931
(231) 947-5734 fax
nmeac@traverse.com
www.nmeac.org
Oakland Land Conservancy
Donna Folland
P.O. Box 80902
Rochester, MI 48308
(248) 601-2816
folland@wwnet.com
www.oaklandlandconservancy.org
Public Interest Research Group in Sierra Club, Michigan Chapter
Michigan (PIRGIM) Anne Woiwode
David Pettit 109 E. Grand River
103 E. Liberty, Suite 202 Lansing, MI 48906
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (517) 484-2372
(734) 662-6597 (517) 484-3108 fax
www.pirgim.org anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org
www.sierraclub.org/chapters/mi
Republicans for Environmental
Protection, Michigan Chapter Sisters, Servants of the
Rob Sission Immaculate Heart of Mary
606 Cherry St. Sister Janet Ryan
Sturgis, MI 49091 610 West Elm Avenue
(269) 651-9397 Monroe, MI 48162
robsisson@yahoo.com (734) 240-9700
www.repamerica.org/mi/mi_ (734) 240-9784 fax
index.html jryan@ihmsisters.org
www.ihmsisters.org
Romulus Environmentalists Care
About People (RECAP) Southeast Michigan Land
R.P. Lilly Conservancy
17220 Hannan Jack Smiley
New Boston, MI 48164 8383 Vreeland Rd.
(734) 753-4320 Superior Twp., MI 48198
(734) 753-4320 fax (734) 484-6565
smileysmlc@aol.com
Scenic Michigan www.landconservancy.com
Abby Dart
445 E. Mitchell Southwest Detroit
Petoskey, MI 49770 Environmental Vision
(231) 347-1171 Lisa Goldstein
(231) 347-1185 fax P.O. Box 9400
info@scenicmichigan.org Detroit, MI 48209
www.scenicmichigan.org (313) 842-1961
lisa_swdev@flash.net
www.comnet.org/sdev
21
 Acknowledgments

Appendix B— Find an Environmental Group Near You

With Great Respect and
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Grenetta Thommassy
Urban Options
Aileen Gow
Washtenaw Land Trust
Susan Lackey
Many Thanks
426 Bay St. 405 Grove St. 1100 N. Main St., #203
Petoskey, MI 49770 East Lansing, MI 48823 Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(231) 347-1181 (517) 337-0422 (734) 302-5263
(231) 347-5928 fax (517) 337-0437 fax (734) 302-1804 fax
grenetta@watershedcouncil.org aileen@urbanoptions.org info@washtenawlandtrust.org The 2007-08 Michigan Environmental Briefing Book was made possible by the generous support of the
www.watershedcouncil.org www.urbanoptions.org www.washtenawlandtrust.org Joyce Foundation. Special thanks go to Dave Dempsey and the many other professionals who shared their
expertise to make this book a reality.
Transportation Riders United Voices for Earth Justice West Michigan Environmental
Megan Owens Patricia Gillis Action Council
500 Griswold, Suite 1650 26672 Elm St. Lisa Locke Brian Beauchamp, Michigan League of Cheryl Mendoza, Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat and
Detroit, MI 48226 Roseville, MI 48066 1007 Lake Dr. SE Conservation Voters Education Fund Network Fund
(313) 963-8872 (586) 779-8015 Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(313) 963-8876 fax voices4earth@juno.com (616) 451-3051 Becky Beauregard Gayle Miller, Sierra Club
trumember@detroittransit.org www.voices4earth.org (616) 451-3054 fax
www.detroittransit.org info@wmeac.org Pam Bierzynski, Michigan League of Megan Owens, Transportation Riders United
www.wmeac.org Conservation Voters Education Fund
Lana Pollack, Michigan Environmental Council
Upper Peninsula Environmental
Coalition James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council
Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Action
Jon Saari
Andy Draheim, Michigan Environmental Council
P.O. Box 673 Abbey Rubley, Environment Michigan
Houghton, MI 49931
Tracey Easthope, Ecology Center
(906) 534-7899 Kathryn Savoie, Arab American Community
jsaari@nmu.edu Jeremy Emmi, Michigan Nature Association Center for Social Services
www.upenvironment.org
Molly Flanagan, National Wildlife Federation Todd Scott, Michigan Mountain Biking Association

Photo credits David Gard, Michigan Environmental Council Diana Seales, East Michigan Environmental
Action Council
Page 3 Page 18 Mike Garfield, Ecology Center
Lake Superior, Carol Y. Swinehart Grand Marais, Jeffery Foltice Mike Shriberg, Environment Michigan
Farm scene, Randall McCune Brad Garmon, Michigan Environmental Council
Page 21
Detroit, Michigan Travel Bureau Donna Stine, Michigan United Conservation Clubs
Port Austin, Michigan (left), Michigan Travel Bureau David Holtz, Clean Water Action
Page 7 Lake Michigan (right), Robert De Jonge Wendi Tilden, Sierra Club
Wind turbine generators, Mackinaw Power Genevieve Howe, Ecology Center
Page 24
Page 11 Lake Superior, Kelly Millenbah Grennetta Thommassy, Tip of the Mitt
Vicky Levengood, National Environmental Trust Watershed Council
Flowers, Louise K. Broman
Back Cover
Moth, David Jude Zoe Lipman, National Wildlife Federation
Grand Marais, B. Fisher Brad van Guilder, Ecology Center
Page 13 Lake Michigan, David Riecks
Angler, Harrison, Michigan, Michigan Travel Bureau Lake Michigan lighthouse, Tom Eckels Evan Major Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club
Ducks, National Park Service
Erin McDonough, Michigan United Lisa Wozniak, Michigan League of Conservation
Page 16 Conservation Clubs Voters Education Fund
Family, Frankfort, Michigan, Michigan Travel Bureau
Canoeing, Grand Traverse, Michigan Travel Bureau

22 23
 Learn More About Us
This Briefing Book was produced by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
and the Michigan Environmental Council.

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund is a non-partisan organization that
works to promote a healthy and vital Michigan by preserving and protecting our air, land and water
through public education and civic engagement.

The Michigan Environmental Council provides a

collective voice for the environment at the local, state and
federal levels. Working with our member groups and their
collective membership of nearly 200,000 residents, MEC is
addressing the primary assaults on Michigan’s environment;
promoting alternatives to urban blight and
suburban sprawl; advocating for a sustainable
environment and economy; protecting
Michigan’s water legacy; promoting
cleaner energy; and working to diminish
environmental impacts on children’s health.

24
Your voice,
your vote,
your power
We are at a critical period in Michigan’s environmental history.
The decisions made today in our communities and in the State
Capitol not only impact us, but future generations of Michiganders.
Today, we ask all of you to take a stand with us. Use your voices and
your votes to insist on poison-free communities, wise investments,
and protection of our heritage. Together, we can build a better future
and stronger Michigan.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —MARGARET MEAD

The 2007-08 Michigan Environmental Briefing Book is a project of the

Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Michigan Environmental Council.

This publication was made possible by the generous support of the Joyce Foundation