enviromich

EM:/ healthy birds and cheap adventures

2011-05-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

Bird health report finds Great Lakes successes | http://bit.ly/mpb6JK

Nominate best Great Lakes outdoor adventure for under $500 | http://bit.ly/lrdy3f

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Reminder: Upper Manistee Service outing, May 21st

2011-05-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

GREAT SERVICE OUTING!: May 21st Plant Cedars along the Manistee River -- Everyone's Invited! (this is now a one-day outing rather than the full weekend)

Join with Sierra Club Outings leaders and other volunteers in this terrific service outing on the Upper Manistee River west of Frederic in the Deward area. Please RSVP to Lorne Beatty, Michigan Chapter Outings Chair (lorne.beatty@michigan.sierraclub.org ) so he can plan for the free lunch and beverages for participants! Call Lorne at 810-632-7766 or email him to reserve your spot!

We'll meet at 9 a.m. at Cameron Bridge on Saturday May 21st for a day of cedar tree planting. The Sierra Club partners with The Cedars of the Au Sable, a non-profit organization, to help restore the ecosystem along this great river. This outing is open to members and non-members alike. Each participant is responsible for their own tools. Direct your questions to Lorne Beatty 810-632-7766 or lorne.beatty@michigan.sierraclub.org and plan to have a great and productive day helping restore the Upper Manistee River!

Anne

Anne Woiwode, State Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906

517-484-2372 www.michigan.sierraclub.org

Support Sierra Club's work in Michigan here: http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport

"If you don't know how to fix it, please, stop breaking it... " Severn Suzuki at the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Protect fisheries from coal plants

2011-05-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

LANCE WEYENETH in today's Freep: "As a guy who loves to fish and whose business depends on the quality of Michigan's rivers, it made my blood boil to hear that Michigan is the 10th worst state in the nation for toxic mercury pollution." Lance Weyeneth's op-ed here.

David Holtz
Executive Director
Progress Michigan
david@progressmichigan.org
313-300-4454 (cell)
Facebook: ProgressMichigan
Twitter: progressmich

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ sewage count

2011-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sewage overflow in Michigan approach 15 billion gallons | http://bit.ly/kM6TIs

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Lake Erie dead walleye and small hatch

2011-05-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

All

Many fishermen have shared that they are seeing a dozen or more dead adult walleye in the lake when they are out. Dave Spangler, President of Lake Erie Waterkeeper and Lake Erie Charterboat captain shared at the waterkeeper meeting last night that they are seeing 'dazed' walleye a foot or more in the water that are not interested in bait and appear to be dying. These are some of the symptoms witnessed in 2006 with VHS which killed thousand of sheephead and yellow perch. ODNR has sent walleye samples out for the testing to determine the cause of the deaths and reports should be in soon. On our beach on Maumee Bay we have seen a few dead sheephead and bass as well as walleye.

You may recall that in late winter this year there were large numbers of Canadian geese dead that we have not seen before. No cause was determined.

In addition the walleye larval counts at the mouth of the Maumee River and in the Lake Erie shoals by the UT Lake Erie Center and ODNR are very very low indicating a very very small 2011 walleye hatch.

This is all troubling for the fish and the lake.

Cold water and heavy rainfalls are contributors to whatever is happening with water quality and the fish. Data from the Detroit wastewater plant, the largest in North America, shows that over 13 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage has entered Lake Erie this year.

Lake Erie is truly challenged. Reductions in sewage discharges and phosphorus runoff are desperately needed.

Lake Erie provides drinking water for 11 million people, there are many troubled warning signs. It is hoped that the gathering of groups on June 8th for the Lake Erie Imrpovement Forum will produce a cooperative collaborative efficient plan to help Lake Erie

Sandy

Lake Erie has the Great Lakes Warmest, Shallowest, Fishiest Waters
Lake Erie is threatened by excess nutrients creating lots of algae
Sandy Bihn, Director
Lake Erie WATERKEEPER Inc.
westernlakeerie.org
3900 N. Summit
Toledo, Ohio 43611
419-691-3788 Cell 419-367-1691 Fax 419-261-2288
sandylakeerie@aol.com

EM:/ "Burning Rivers" Lecture at Cranbrook Institute of Science Tonight!

2011-05-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

“Burning Rivers” Lecture at Cranbrook Institute of Science

Michigan Green Leader Dr. John Hartig will discuss his book Burning Rivers: Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught on Fire during a lecture at Cranbrook Institute of Science on Friday, May 13 at 7pm in the Auditorium. A book signing and garden tour are included in the lecture, which is free with admission to the Institute of Science. The garden tour begins at 6:30 pm in the central courtyard of the Institute, the tour will highlight native plants in the Erb Family Science Garden and the newly designed garden guidebook produced by the Cranbrook Upper Schools Winter Semester 2011 Botany Class with support from the Americana Foundation. Copies of the Burning Rivers book will be available following Dr. Hartig’s presentation for $35 each. All proceeds go to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society. To register for the event, please email water@cranbrook.edu, or call 248 645.3008.

For more details, please visit the Cranbrook Institute of Science website.

Thanks,

Lisa Appel

Watershed Education Coordinator

Cranbrook Institute of Science

lappel@cranbrook.edu

www.greatlakeswatershed.org

P: 248-645-3223

C: 248-303-1852

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ EPA elites and Wisconsin rollbacks

2011-05-13T04:33:00.000-07:00

Chicago influence, toothless legislation, Wisconsin rollbacks and EPA elitism | http://bit.ly/lrHFB6

Also, a nice shot of a Lake Erie sunset: http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/05/13/photo-friday-lake-erie-sunset/

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Wolverine coal plant

2011-05-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

MDEQ NEWS RELEASE

May 12, 2011 11-0512

For More Information Brad Wurfel, 517-373-7917, wurfelb@michigan.gov

Mary Ann Dolehanty, 517-335-4607, dolehantym@michigan.gov

Public comment sought on Rogers City power plant

Officials will take public comment on two new provisions of Wolverine proposal

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will host a May 19 public hearing in Rogers City to receive formal public comment on two specific aspects of an air permit application to install a coal-fired power plant.

Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc. proposes to install and operate a 600-megawatt, coal-fired steam electric power plant. The power plant would be located on the Carmeuse quarry property, Rogers Township, Presque Isle County, Michigan.

The public comment hearing begins at 7 p.m. in the Rogers City High School Gymnasium, 1033 West Huron Avenue, Rogers City.

The sole purpose of the hearing will be to take formal testimony on the record pertaining to the Best Available Control Technology demonstration and emission limits proposed for greenhouse gases and the air quality analysis demonstrating the proposed power plant will not violate the new 1 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards for NO₂ and SO₂.

Prior to the hearing, an informational session in panel format will be held 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., also in the Rogers City High School Gymnasium. Staff will be available to answer questions at that meeting.

Interested participants are advised that hearing administrators will not dialogue during the public comment hearing, and only comments on the specific aspects noted above will be included in the record. All other aspects of the permit have been through the public process.

Background:

The Permit to Install application for this project was denied May 21, 2010, due to a failure to demonstrate need for the proposed facility. Wolverine Power challenged the decision. The Missaukee County Circuit Court ruled Jan. 28 of this year that an alleged lack of need for the proposed facility alone, separate from air quality concerns, was not a legal basis to deny the permit application.

The DEQ has re-evaluated the Permit to Install application for the proposed power plant, absent the consideration of need, and accounting for recent regulations that have been finalized since the denial action. These regulations are the new 1-hour NAAQS for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and the requirement to provide a BACT demonstration for greenhouse gases. The May 19 public hearing is a formal opportunity for the public to comment on these permit application aspects.

Copies of the Department's analysis and proposed draft permit conditions are available at the following locations, or may be requested by mail by calling 517-335-4607. Please reference PTI Application Number 317-07.

DEQ Web site: www.michigan.gov/air

GAYLORD: MDEQ, Air Quality Division, 2100 West M-32, 989-705-3406

LANSING: MDEQ, Air Quality Division, Constitution Hall, 3^rd Floor, North Tower, 525 West Allegan Street, 517-335-4607

ROGERS CITY: Mayor's Office and City Manager's Office, 193 East Michigan Avenue, 989-734-2191

PRESQUE ISLE: County Clerk's office, 151 East Huron Street, 989-734-3288

Written comments should be sent to Mary Ann Dolehanty, Permit Section Supervisor, MDEQ, Air Quality Division, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-7760. Comments also may be submitted via the Web page, www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml (click on "Submit Comment" under the Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. Permit to Install No. 317-07 listing).

All statements received by May 19, 2011, will be considered by the decision maker prior to final permit action.

Individuals needing accommodations for effective participation at the hearing should contact Ms. Cari DeBruler at 517-335-4607 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance.

###

========================================
Alex J. Sagady & Associates http://www.sagady.com/
Twittering at: http://www.twitter.com/enviroenforcer

Environmental Enforcement, Permit/Technical Review, Public Policy, Expert Witness Review and Litigation Investigation on Air, Water and Waste/Community Environmental and Resource Protection

Prospectus at: http://www.sagady.com/sagady.pdf

657 Spartan Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-6971; ajs@sagady.com
========================================

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Let's Start With Big Oil

2011-05-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

We learned this week oil giant Exxon Mobil, whose profits already jumped 70% this year, pays a lower tax rate than the average American. Later today, CEOs of five top U.S. oil companies whose profits are at record highs will testify before Congress -- will they say how they feel about taking billions in taxpayer handouts while seniors are asked to give up Medicare benefits they've already paid for? Republicans say they want to cut the federal deficit. Let's start with Big Oil.

Michigan U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers, Fred Upton and Tim Walberg have each taken big payouts from oil and gas companies. Since he took office, Rogers has taken over $240,000 from oil and gas companies. Upton has hauled in $262,850 throughout his career – more than $100,000 in the last election cycle alone. And Tim Walberg, who supports drilling in the Great Lakes, has taken more than $80,000 from oil and gas companies.

Please s ign our petition in support of ending tax breaks for Big Oil companies. We'll deliver your message to Rogers, Upton, Walberg and other Michigan Members of Congress.

David Holtz
Executive Director
Progress Michigan
david@progressmichigan.org
313-300-4454 (cell)
Facebook: ProgressMichigan
Twitter: progressmich

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ beach crime and trivia

2011-05-12T05:37:00.000-07:00

Health detectives use profiling to solve beach crime: http://bit.ly/mDggRO

Quick: What is the country's second national park? http://bit.ly/mKgYp8

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Reporters in Great Lakes region

2011-05-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

If you at least sometimes report on the environment of the region, we're looking for a little help to help us help you.
http://bit.ly/kkIUNC

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Predators and food

2011-05-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Can Great Lakes predators measure up? http://bit.ly/jqKOMs

Michigan wants help expanding food industry: http://bit.ly/kQVVoI

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes/Transition to Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable

2011-05-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hi all - This is a great opportunity to learn about regional nuclear issues, and hear experts in their field. To ensure a seat and also get a good estimate for food, we urge you to sign up soon. See registration information in the email below.

Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes and Transition to
Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable

Saturday, May 14, 9AM - 5 PM Henry Ford Community College
Society of Mechanical Engineers (SME) Bldg.
5101 Evergreen Rd. Dearborn, MI First entrance south of Ford Rd.

To mapquest directions, the address of the SME Building is: 1 Sme Drive, Dearborn, MI 48121

A campus map (with SME Bldg. at the top left): http://www.hfcc.edu/contact/mainCampusConstruction.pdf
General directions to the campus are available here (scroll down page): http://www.hfcc.edu/contact/locations.asp

Scheduled speakers:
Keynote speaker: Dr. Gordon Edwards - President of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility to speak on "The Radioactive Contamination of the Earth and its Waters - Accidental or Deliberate?" He will also speak on reactor waste policy in Canada.
Brennain Lloyd - Community organizer with Northwatch, who has worked for more than two decades on nuclear waste issues in Canada, including those at the Bruce nuclear complex on Lake Huron, will speak on the risks of a proposed deep underground radioactive dump by Lake Huron.
Michael Keegan - Chair of Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes and Co Chair of Don�t Waste Michigan will speak to why we should oppose a proposed new reactor at Monroe.
Kevin Kamps - Radioactive Waste Watchdog from Beyond Nuclear will discuss reactor waste policy in the Great Lakes and nationally, and why Davis-Besse reactor near Toledo should not be re-licensed.
Greg Laskowsky - Henry Ford Community College, Lead Instructor, Energy Technology - Energy & Technology Department will present "Henry Ford Community College�s Renewable Energy Program - A History and Introduction.�
Kathleen Law - Former Michigan legislator, who introduced the first German-style renewable energy bill in North America -and since adopted by Ontario will address How to Make Clean Local Energy Accessible.
Victor McManemy - Great Lakes songwriter, troubadour, historian, musician and advocate for Indigenous Peoples, will perform.
Angela Bischoff, Moderator - Outreach Director, Ontario Clean Air Alliance

The presenters will provide brief updates on U.S. and Canadian legislation.

Registration Information

RSVP early! (Seating is limited) - A suggested minimum donation of $25 including lunch can be paid on line at: http://tiny.cc/nukeroundtable
or send check payable to: S.E.M.G. - Mail to: May Event C/o SEMG/Sierra Club P.O. Box 405, Brown City, MI 48416 or pay $30 at the door, if seating is available. Students are free (but request $5 for lunch). Students should register, or RSVP to Ed McArdle at ecoguy2@netzero.net

Sponsored by Sierra Club - S.E. Michigan Group, Sierra Club of Canada,
Ohio Sierra Club Nuclear Issues Committee,
and Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination

- For info, contact Ed McArdle 313-388-6645 or
ecoguy2@ netzero.net - or Kay Cumbow 810-346-4513 at kcumbow@greatlakes.net

EM:/ Clinton River Watershed Rain Barrel Sale in Rochester Mi this Weekend!

2011-05-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon,

Due to popular request CRWC is having a rain barrel sale!

Rain Barrels are available by pre-purchase only.

They will be $80 and includes a one year membership to CRWC, 2 overflow valves,1 Flex Gutter Adapter,1 Expandable gutter filter.

So drop in by with your check or call with your credit card these will not last long...

Pick up is May 14, 2011

Please feel free to share this information with your friends, family and community!

See attached for details

Michele Arquette-Palermo

Education and Stewardship Director Clinton River Watershed Council

President Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Co-Chair Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition

WE HAVE MOVED…..PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS BELOW AND UPDATE YOUR FILES

Clinton River Watershed Council

1115 W. Avon Road

Rochester Hills, MI 48309

phone: 248.601.0606

fax: 248.601.1280

email: michele@crwc.org

Protecting, enhancing and celebrating the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair.

A river is the report card for its watershed. - Alan Levere

Check us Out On

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ dioxin, MI senate and infants

2011-05-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

The very week that the Michigan Senate passes a bill prohibiting Michigan from having any standards safer than the federal government, along comes a study reporting on how dioxin suppresses the immune systems of infants.

It is more than tangential that this bill sponsored by Senator Roger Kahn and John Moolenar would replace the state's much more protective standard of 90 ppt for dioxin with the feds outdated, antiquated 1980's number of 1,000 ppt. Moolenaar, a former Dow Chemical employee and Roger Kahn a physician should be ashamed of themselves—-Then again that would require a conscience. In 2004 the good doctor, Roger Kahn and then state rep, Moolenaar went into attack mode assailing MDEQ and the use of 90 ptt. This week the two senators got what their favorite constituent, Dow Chemical, wanted– EPA's use of the old outdated number o 1,000 ppt.

http://www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org/2011/05/10/babies-get-sick-from-dioxin/

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ YES MEN announce launching Coal Cares prank

2011-05-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Health issues around coal are a BIG concern in Michigan with about 26 coal plants today and three proposed new ones still alive and kicking – see the effort of a group calling themselves “Coal Cares” to draw attention to the issue in a new and different way --

Anne

May 10, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tackling Childhood Asthma Not Coal Industry Priority After All
No more My Little Pony inhalers in stock

Contact: asthma@coalcares.org, (314) 472-5539

A charitable initiative by the world's largest coal company to provide free “novelty-themed” inhalers to asthmatic children may have seemed for a moment like a (somewhat misguided) breath of fresh air, coming as it did from an industry whose emissions are directly linked to childhood asthma, and which is fighting to gut clean air legislation that would save children’s lives.

Coal Cares™ (www.coalcares.org) purported to “make asthma cool” with decorative and pop-culture inspired inhalers (“The Bieber,” “Harry Potter,” “My Little Pony,” and “My First Inhaler” were particular favorites). The site also announced that Peabody would offer $10 coupons towards asthma medication (about 5%-20% of the cost) for families living within 200 miles of a coal-fired plant. It featured a “Kidz Koal Korner” with asthma-related games for tots, an extensive asthma trivia section and FAQ (Peter the Great was asthmatic, who knew!), and a thorough condemnation of solar and wind alternatives.

It was, of course, a hoax, and it was aimed at Peabody Coal, which is lobbying ferociously against new pollution standards for power plants proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), standards the agency says will prevent 120,000 cases of childhood asthma each year in the United States. Peabody spent over $6 million lobbying Congress last year, and the industry has created a dizzying array of fake “grassroots” front groups to distort the public debate and fight legislation.

(Meanwhile, a new study by the American Lung Association notes that coal-fired power plants produce more hazardous air pollution in the United States than any other source, with the pollution killing 13,000 people a year. Coal-ash disposal alone increases risk of cancer, learning disabilities, birth defects and other illnesses due to exposure from heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury.)

The Coal Cares™ hoax was devised by a group called Coal is Killing Kids (CKK), a small environmental and public health group that aims to challenge Big Coal’s expensive lobbying against sensible updates to the Clean Air Act. “We don’t have their millions, but we do have a knack for incredibly tasteless jokes,” said Veronica Tomlinson, a pediatrician and member of CKK. CKK worked with the Yes Lab, which is a project of The Yes Men to help activist groups carry out media-savvy creative actions on their own.

"Sure, it’s kind of tasteless to say that ‘Bieber’ inhalers are a solution to childhood asthma," said Janet Bellamy, a spokesperson for CKK. "But it's a great deal more tasteless to cause that asthma in the first place, as coal-fired power plants have been proven to do."Added Justin V. Bond, another spokesperson for CKK: “It’s even more tasteless to disproportionately kill poor people.” Coal-fired power plants are very often built in areas populated by low-income citizens, who then bear the brunt of the health effects.

“People may laugh at our sick jokes,” said Bellamy, “but they also understand the real health impacts of burning coal. That’s exactly what the coal industry doesn’t want people to think about, because if enough of us were aware of it, we would shut these plants down once and for all.”

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Morels

2011-05-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

They make Michigan money

http://bit.ly/k8nCWk

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Press Release: Giant Duck Flocks to Capitol to ask for Safe Children’s Products Legislation

2011-05-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

Below please find a press release for an event the
Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health held this morning
at the Capitol.

For questions or additional information, please contact Jennifer
Canvasser: 408-515-3455 or jennifer@ecocenter.org.

Thank you for your time,
Jennifer Canvasser

--
Jennifer Canvasser
Environmental Health Organizer
Ecology Center
Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
117 N. Division Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-761-3186 ext. 115
jennifer@ecocenter.org
www.ECOCENTER.org
www.MNCEH.org

<https://badge.facebook.com/badge/171763072862411.1644.515720938.png>

For immediate release: May 10, 2011 CONTACT: Jennifer
Canvasser, 734-761-3186 ext. 115;

Cell
408-515-3455

Families, Children's
Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol

to ask for Safe
Children's Products Legislation

Following on the
heels of Mother's Day, parents, health professionals and community leaders
gathered at the Capitol to urge legislators to pass legislation to give Michigan
families a Mother's Day gift: the right-to-know about toxic chemicals in
children's products.

"Some chemicals
used in everyday products have been linked to serious
health impairments, including cancer, reduced fertility, and learning
disabilities," said Dr. Ted Schettler, science director for the Science
and Environmental Health Network. "Children are especially vulnerable to the
effects of toxic chemicals. This
legislation will give Michigan families the information they need to protect
their children from the most hazardous chemicals that may be found in
children's products."

Legislation
protecting kids from toxics is not new for Michigan. Over the last few years,
several bills have focused on lead and other toxic chemicals and received wide
bipartisan support. The time has come for a comprehensive approach to protect
children from toxic chemicals in children's products.

"Michigan
families' deserve the right-to-know about toxic chemicals in children's
products," said Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor). "I look forward to
working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Legislature to
introduce safe children's products legislation that will arm our parents with
the information they need to protect our children from toxic toys. This
legislation should create a list of chemicals of concern in children's
products, based on sound science. It should also require
toy importers and large manufactures to disclose the presence of chemicals of
greatest concern in their children's products."

"I'm here today to ask the legislature to give moms like me the
tools we need to choose safer products for our kids," said Polly Schlaff mother
of three boys from Manistee, MI. "Right now it's impossible to tell if a toy
has chemicals like cadmium, arsenic, or mercury. We should have the right to
know whether toxic chemicals are in the products we buy for our kids."

"Our federal law that regulates chemicals in commerce, the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA), has failed to protect public health from
exposure to toxic chemicals," said Rebecca Meuninck, environmental health
campaign director for the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health.
"We are calling on our state lawmakers to support safe children's products
legislation in order to move us a step in the right direction."

The
Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health (MNCEH), a coalition of
health professional, health- affected, and environmental organizations from
across the state, is backed by the support of toy–store owners, health
professionals and families, committed to protecting Michigan's children from
toxic chemical exposure.

<http://www.facebook.com/Michigan.Childrens.Health>

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):

http://www.great-lakes.net

For information about this list, to change your subscription, or
search the archives, visit:
http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich

All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author
or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or
the Great Lakes Commission.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*

EM:/ Natural Shorelines on MI Inland Lakes

2011-05-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you interested in protecting and improving Michigan’s great inland lakes the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership’s new guidebook is now available. It is titled “Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan’s Inland Lakes: Guidebook for Property Owners”. It is available through the MSU Bookstore www.bookstore.msue.msu.edu Publication #: E-3145

For more information on the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership please go to www.mishorelinepartnership.org

The public/private partnership mission is to promote the use of natural landscaping and erosion control to protect Michigan’s inland lakes. The partnership is in its second year of training shoreline professionals to be Certified Natural Shoreline Professionals. The website has a list of the current Certified Natural Shoreline Professionals among many other resources to help you protect the lake you love.

Julia Kirkwood

MI Department of Environmental Quality

Water Resources Division

Non Point Source Program

269-567-3583

7953 Adobe Rd

Kalamazoo 49009

Opt-in to the outdoors! Learn more about the Recreation Passport at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ retrieving logs and feeding wildlife

2011-05-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

Old Michigan logs may be sunken treasure. Bill proposed to ease retrieval. Environmental impacts?
http://bit.ly/igqzBd

Handouts keep waterfowl year-round | http://bit.ly/lrw8Vq

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ GLREA: Early Bird Registration Ends Today

2011-05-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

Early Bird Registration for the Michigan Energy Fair ends Today!

If you have been contemplating getting a booth for the Michigan Energy Fair, now is the time to do so. Beginning Tuesday, May 10th registration increases to $400.00.

Sign up now and be a part of the largest event of it's kind in Michigan, the Michigan Energy Fair!

To register follow the link here.

Best,
Samantha Keeney
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
Program Manager
samantha.keeney@glrea.org

Join us for the Michigan Energy Fair June 24 - 26, 2011
Follow us on Twitter
Like our page on Facebook
517-646-6269
517-646-8584 fax
257 S. Bridge St
PO Box 346
Dimondale MI 48821
www.glrea.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Consumers Energy customers saved $38 million through energy efficiency last year; company stands to earn $8.5 million reward

2011-05-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

Too bad the State seems to have lost interest in Clean Energy – here is a Win-Win-Win situation (for customers, for Consumers Energy, AND for the environment, etc.) that could end up sputtering when the mandates are met because the law actually discourages going beyond the mandated levels. AW

http://www.mlive.com/business/jackson-lansing/index.ssf/2011/05/consumers_energy_customers_sav.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+citpat-news+%28Jackson+Citizen+Patriot+-+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Consumers Energy customers saved $38 million through energy efficiency last year; company stands to earn $8.5 million reward

Published: Monday, May 09, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot The Jackson Citizen Patriot

Consumers Energy is continuing to encourage people to use less energy, and says its customers saved about $38 million last year by using energy-efficiency measures.

“We continue to see strong interest from our customers,” said Terry Mierzwa, the utility’s executive manager of marketing, energy efficiency and research. “We’ve done a lot of work with our business customers and helped a lot of schools save money.”

-SNIP-

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Free Field Trips June 4

2011-05-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

News From The Nature Conservancy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melissa Soule, Marketing Mgr

May 9, 2011 (517) 230-0818 or msoule@tnc.org

Summer Saturday Field Trips

The Nature Conservancy to offer free guided field trips this summer

LANSING, Mich. — June 4 marks not only National Trails Day, but a day with free field trips with scientists and conservation leaders from The Nature Conservancy.

The Nature Conservancy will be hosting field trips at the Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve, Ives Road Fen Preserve, Fox River Trail and Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area on Saturday, June 4. The trips are free to the public and open to all ages with advance registration by May 27.

The field trip in Paw Paw will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 12 p.m. under the leadership of Fire Manager Jack McGowan-Stinski. Participants will be lead through the 150-acre Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve where they can expect to encounter great blue heron, turtles, frogs and a variety of plant species, including Indian plantain and edible valerian. For the workday, expect to remove invasive species at the end of the trip.

The Ives Road Fen Preserve field trip begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 1:00 p.m. The trip will be headed by Assistant Restoration Ecologist Mike Losey. On this field trip, participants can expect to see rare Michigan plants like grass pink orchids and pitcher plants. The workday will consist of hand removal of two invasive species that negatively impact this natural community: garlic mustard and golden Alexander. Volunteers have removed more than 13 million invasive plants, including 1.5 tons of garlic mustard, at the preserve over the past decade.

The Fox River Pathway field trip gives people the chance to mark trails and clear brush on a seven-mile hike through the upper Fox River. The trip is lead by Conservation Director Tina Hall and Upper Peninsula Restoration Ecologist Chris Cantway. It will start at 8 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. At the preserve, expect to pull invasive plants during the end of the trip.

The final field trip will be at the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. Led by West Michigan Conservation Director John Legge, this field trip begins at 9 a.m. and will consist of a hike and break that will conclude at 11 a.m. Following the hike, participants may join an optional workday to remove invasive species from 11a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

All trips are free, but space is limited. The registration deadline is Friday, May 27. Call the RSVP Hotline at (517) 316-2285 or email mifotrips@tnc.org. More info on all the trips can be found at nature.org/michigan or by clicking here.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its 1 million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 120 million acres worldwide, including 360,000 acres in Michigan. The Nature Conservancy is working to make the Great Lakes watershed among the most effectively managed ecosystems on Earth. For more information, visit http://nature.org/michigan.

# # #

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Michigan Environmental Council – Capitol Update – May 9, 2011

2011-05-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

Included in the regulatory package passed by the Senate last week was a bill that prohibits the executive branch from issuing an administrative rule more stringent than federal law (SB 272).

This law would strip the Governor of Michigan of the power to independently protect the Great Lakes. This is bad policy for Michigan and makes us vulnerable to special interests promoting gridlock at the legislature. It is important to note that the legislature always retains the ability to overrule a Governor and nullify any action they do not believe is warranted.

History Lesson - In the 1970s, Lake Erie was dying due in large part to phosphorus in detergents. The legislature refused to act. When cities tried to act independently, the legislature pre-empted their authority to restrict phosphorus. So in 1976, Governor Milliken acted independently and promulgated a rule restricting phosphorus in detergent. The lake rebounded and the algae beds subsided. The legislature didn't adopt that same restriction until 2008.

Senate

Passed:

SB 271 – A bill to include require certain information to be included regulatory impact statement under the Administrative procedures Act (APA) including a comparison with other Great Lakes states.

.
SB 272 – A bill to amend the APA to prohibit a standard more stringent than federal standards unless specifically authorized by the legislature and add provisions regarding the use of certain orders, bulletins, and guidelines; establish limit and provide for regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

SB 274 – A bill to authorize the joint committee on administrative rules to review both pending and current rules.

SB 273 – A bill to update reference to administrative procedures act.

SB 276 – A bill to require more formal records be kept during the proceedings of any advisory committee and require posting of legal and policy bases and assessment of impact of the rules on the private sector.

SB 277 – Requires the MDEQ to conduct peer reviews on all of its programs.

SB 278 – A bill to require government agencies and the legislature to provide oversight of programs on a periodic basis.

SB 279 – A bill to establish a stratified random sampling process for inspections under NREPA.

On the floor:

HB 4111 – A bill to allow would allow the Department of Natural Resources to appoint volunteers to help in carrying out department conservation responsibilities.

SR 27 - A resolution to urge the President of the United States to impose a moratorium on any new regulations and to memorialize the Congress of the United States enact the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. In Committee:

SJR E - a ballot measure that would penalize legislators if the annual budget was not in place by July 1

In Committee:

Energy and Technology will meet on Tuesday (5/10) at 1 pm for a presentation on Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEV's) and the Michigan Plug-In Electric Vehicle Preparedness Task Force.

Transportation will meet on Tuesday (5/10) at 12:30 pm to take up the following bills:

SB 287 - A bill to modify the applicability of exemptions for carriers, and for a

Presentation by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to provide an overview of transportation funding comparisons with other states.

House

Passed:

HB 4526 – Omnibus budget authorization for FY 2011-12 for all non-education related departments.

On the floor:

HCR 9 – a resolution to urge FERC to modify the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) ruling on transmission cost allocation

SB 207 – A bill to eliminate the minimum hunting age and establish a mentoring program

SB 245 – A bill to allow adoption of local ordinance to set construction standards for beach or residential lifts

HB 4042 – A bill to require the DEQ to explain the reasons for permit denials

HB 4043 – A bill to require the DEQ to offer pre-enforcement meetings with permit holders to attempt to resolve compliance issues.

HB 4371 – a bill to eliminate the minimum hunting age and create mentored youth hunting program.

HB 4133 – A bill to provide for water quality alliances

HB 4524 – Budget authorization for FY 2011-12 for the Departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture. (Note: all budget bills were rolled into one omnibus bill – HB 4526 and passed).

In Committee:

Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (5/11) at 9:00 am to take testimony on:

HB 4503-07 – Bills that would allow "sporting swine" operations in Michigan, set penalties for violations, and transfer responsibility for oversight to the Michigan Department of Agriculture from the Department of Environmental

Energy and Technology will meet on Tuesday (5/10) at 9 am for a presentation on Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEV's) and the Michigan Plug-In Electric Vehicle Preparedness Task Force.

Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Tuesday (5/10) at 9:00 am to take up:

HB 4577 – A bill to redirect money from the Natural Resources Trust Fund to make payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) payments on certain properties.

HB 4579 – A bill to revise the funds from which PILT payments are made.

Testimony

HB 4379 – A bill to revise the procedure for dissolution of lake improvement boards to include a petition of property owners being assessed by the lake board for 2/3 of cost (current standard is 2/3 of the property owners).

HB 4554 – A bill to modify the requirements for a submerged log permit.

Regulatory Reform will meet on Wednesday (5/4) at 10:30 am to take up

HB 4016 – A bill to require the MDEQ to engage in performance improvement reviews for each of its major programs.

HB 4017- A bill to define how the MDEQ should undertake random inspections.

Testimony Only:

HB 4553 – A bill to establish a requirement for continuing education for renewal of license for landscape architects.

HB 4307 – A bill to modify the definition of agricultural operations in MIOSHA to include Christmas trees.

Transportation will meet on Wednesday (5/12) at noon to take up:

HB 4303 – A bill to exempt county road commission from wetland mitigation requirements, and for a presentation by the Michigan Department of Treasury regarding pre-paid gas taxes

Submitted by:

James Clift, Policy Director

Michigan Environmental Council

119 Pere Marquette, Ste. 2A

Lansing, MI 48912

environmentalcouncil.org
twitter.com/MichEnvCouncil
facebook.com/MichiganEnvironmentalCouncil

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ diesel and trees

2011-05-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Push on to cut diesel exhaust in Michigan. http://bit.ly/k5qq56

Trees fight pollution http://bit.ly/jsbFjP

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Media Advisory: Families, Children’s Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol

2011-05-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

When: Tuesday, May 10^th 2011 at 9:30am

Where: Capitol Lawn, W. Allegan Street and N. Capitol Ave.
Inclement weather location: Room 428 Capitol Building

Who: Senator Rebekah Warren

   Ted Schettler, MD, Science and Environmental Health Network
   Rebecca Meuninck, MI Network for Children's Environmental Health
   Polly Schlaff, Concerned Mother

   Dozens of Michigan families, health professionals, and representatives from health-
   affected communities

Visuals:
·       25-foot inflatable duck
·       X-ray fluorescence testing device, toxic toys and children's products; media encouraged to bring items for testing
Sponsor: Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
CONTACT: Jennifer Canvasser, 734-761-3186 ext. 115; Cell 408-515-3455
The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health is a coalition of the state's leading health professional, health-affected, and environmental organizations dedicated to a safe and less toxic world for Michigan's children. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we work to change current policies and practices that expose children to environmental toxicants.
Download this advisory here: http://www.mnceh.org/press/May10-2011_MediaAdvisory.pdf

Rebecca Meuninck
Environmental Health Campaign Director
Ecology Center
rebecca@ecocenter.org
734-761-3186 ext. 119

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ NEWS RELEASE: Strollers and Stethoscopes: Parents, Nurses Show Support for EPA and Clean Air Act

2011-05-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, May 6, 2011

Contact: Cathy Bacile Cunningham, (517) 333-1606

Strollers and Stethoscopes: Parents, Nurses Show Support for EPA and Clean Air Act

Protecting the EPA is vital for healthy kids, residents say

LANSING – In honor of Mother’s Day on May 8 and National Nurses Day, mothers, nurses and others today gathered in downtown Lansing to show their support for the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency at a brigade of stroller and stethoscopes.

“Mothers and nurses are seen as the ultimate caregivers, so we wanted to take this opportunity to raise our voices in support of the Clean Air Act,” said Pamela Ortner, MS, RN, who has two grown children and two grandsons. “We work hard to protect our children and our patients, just as the EPA and the Clean Air Act work hard to protect the air that we breathe and the water we drink. I’m happy to be out here on this beautiful day to show my support for these two critical tools in the fight to protect the public health.”

The EPA is facing the most scrutiny from Congress that it has faced since it was established in 1970 by President Richard Nixon – the same year the Clean Air Act was signed into law. For four decades, the EPA and the Clean Air Act have protected Americans from dangerous pollutants and led to significant public health and environmental benefits in Michigan and across the nation.

A poll^[1] released in February found that support for the EPA is high across the political spectrum, with 57 percent of Republicans, 66 percent of Independents and 78 percent of Democrats supporting the EPA’s authority. The poll also revealed that voters want politicians to focus on holding polluters accountable, rather than letting them off the hook.

###

^[1] The statewide poll was conducted Jan. 13-18 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. It surveyed 500 Michigan voters and had a margin of error of plus/minus 4.4 percentage points.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-EPA-MICHIGAN list, send any message to: CONS-EPA-MICHIGAN-signoff-request@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ fish comeback

2011-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Native fish reappears in Great Lakes after decades-long absence

http://bit.ly/lRnwMj

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Media Advisory: Families, Children’s Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol

2011-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

Families, Children's Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol
to ask for Safe Children's Products Legislation

Michigan families, health professionals, and children's advocates will flock to the Capitol on Tuesday, May 10^th with a Mother's Day message for legislators: help moms protect kids from toxics in toys and children's products! Children's products and toys continue to contain chemicals linked to serious health problems. Michigan moms want the right-to-know about dangerous chemicals in kids' products so they can choose safer toys and products for their families. Currently, it is nearly impossible for families to distinguish safe from contaminated children's products.

When: Tuesday, May 10^th 2011 at 9:30am

Where: Capitol Lawn, W. Allegan Street and N. Capitol Ave.

Who: Senator Rebekah Warren

   Ted Schettler, MD, Science and Environmental Health Network
   Rebecca Meuninck, MI Network for Children's Environmental Health
   Polly Schlaff, Concerned Mother

   Dozens of Michigan families, health professionals, and representatives from health-
   affected communities

Visuals:
·       25-foot inflatable duck
·       X-ray fluorescence testing device, toxic toys and children's products; media encouraged to bring items for testing
Sponsor: Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health
CONTACT: Jennifer Canvasser, 734-761-3186 ext. 115; Cell 408-515-3455
The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health is a coalition of the state's leading health professional, health-affected, and environmental organizations dedicated to a safe and less toxic world for Michigan's children. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we work to change current policies and practices that expose children to environmental toxicants.
Download this advisory here: http://www.mnceh.org/press/May10-2011_MediaAdvisory.pdf

Rebecca Meuninck
Environmental Health Campaign Director
Ecology Center
rebecca@ecocenter.org
734-761-3186 ext. 119

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Air Pollution And Michigan Kids' Performance

2011-05-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to the journal article.

Air Pollution Around Schools Is Linked To Poorer Student Health And Academic Performance

http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/early/2011/05/02/hlthaff.2011.0077.abstract

+ Author Affiliations

¹Paul Mohai (pmohai@umich.edu) is a professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment and a faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research, both at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor.
²Byoung-Suk Kweon is a research investigator at the Institute for Social Research and an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan.
³Sangyun Lee is a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan.
⁴Kerry Ard is a graduate student in sociology and environmental policy at the University of Michigan.

↵*Corresponding author

Abstract

Exposing children to environmental pollutants during important times of physiological development can lead to long-lasting health problems, dysfunction, and disease. The location of children's schools can increase their exposure. We examined the extent of air pollution from industrial sources around public schools in Michigan to find out whether air pollution jeopardizes children's health and academic success. We found that schools located in areas with the highest air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates—a potential indicator of poor health—and the highest proportions of students who failed to meet state educational testing standards. Michigan and many other states currently do not require officials considering a site for a new school to analyze its environmental quality. Our results show that such requirements are needed. For schools already in existence, we recommend that their environmental quality should be investigated and improved if necessary.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ air pollution near Michigan schools linked to poorer health, academic performance

2011-05-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Air Pollution Near Michigan Schools Linked to Poorer Student Health, Academic Performance

ScienceDaily (May 5, 2011) Air pollution from industrial sources near Michigan public schools jeopardizes children's health and academic success, according to a new study from University of Michigan researchers.

The researchers found that schools located in areas with the state's highest industrial air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates -- an indicator of poor health -- as well as the highest proportions of students who failed to meet state educational testing standards.

The researchers examined the distribution of all 3,660 public elementary, middle, junior high and high schools in the state and found that 62.5 percent of them were located in places with high levels of air pollution from industrial sources.

Minority students appear to bear the greatest burden, according to a research team led by Paul Mohai of the U-M School of Natural Resources and Environment and Byoung-Suk Kweon of the U-M Institute for Social Research.

The researchers found that while 44.4percent of all white students in the state attend schools located in the top 10 percent of the most polluted locations in the state, 81.5 percent of all African American schoolchildren and 62.1 percent of all Hispanic students attend schools in the most polluted zones.

The study results are reported in the May edition of the journal Health Affairs. Mohai and Kweon presented their findings May 4 at a Washington, D.C., forum sponsored by Health Affairs.

"Our findings show that schools in Michigan were disproportionately located in places with high levels of air pollution from industrial sources. In addition, we found that Michigan's minority students bear a disproportionately high share of the air pollution burden," said Mohai, a professor at the U-M School of Natural Resources and Environment. Mohai is also a faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research.

The majority of the most-polluted sites in Michigan are in the southern half of the state's Lower Peninsula, although several places in the Upper Peninsula fall into the most-polluted category. In the Lower Peninsula, the most-polluted locations form a horseshoe-shaped band stretching from the Thumb region south to the Ohio border, then west to Lake Michigan and north to Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Locations with the highest levels of industrial air pollution include the Detroit metropolitan area, the Grand Rapids area and the Muskegon area.

The authors conclude that Michigan and other states should require an environmental-quality analysis when education officials are considering sites for new schools. "While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft of voluntary school-siting guidelines in November, those guidelines might not be strong enough and could be ignored by many school districts," said Kweon, a research investigator at the Institute for Social Research and an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Geographic information system software was used to digitally map the 3,660 schools and to then overlay industrial air pollution data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Risk-Screening Environmental Indicator data base.

School attendance rates were used as a proxy for health levels at each school. As a school performance measure, the researchers used 2007 scores from the Michigan Educational Assessment Program, a standardized test that all third- through ninth-graders in Michigan public schools are required to take. Specifically, they used the percentage of students who failed to meet the state standards for English and math.

Though the study focused primarily on the effects of industrial air pollutants, nearly identical patterns were found when the researchers analyzed data from the 2005 National Air Toxic Assessment, which includes on-road mobile sources such as cars, trucks and buses, as well as non-road mobile sources such as airplanes, tractors and lawnmowers.

What explains this pattern of schools located near industrial pollution sources?

The authors suggest that the large amount of land that a school requires and the costs of land acquisition probably mean that officials searching for new school locations focus on areas where property values are low, which may be near polluting industrial facilities, major highways and other potentially hazardous sites.

Half of all states, including Michigan, do not require any evaluation of the environmental quality of areas under consideration as sites for new schools, nor do they prohibit building new industrial facilities and highways near existing schools.

Children are known to be more vulnerable than adults to the effects of pollution. Exposure to environmental pollutants during important times of physiological development can lead to long-lasting health problems, dysfunction and disease, the experts said.

"Our findings underscore the need to expand the concept of environmental justice to include children as a vulnerable population. Moreover, our findings show that children of color are disproportionately at risk," the authors wrote. "There is a need for proactive school policies that will protect children from exposure to unhealthy levels of air pollution and other environmental hazards."

The authors offer four policy recommendations to address the problem: 1) All potential school sites should be thoroughly analyzed, including tests of soil, water and air quality. 2) Policies should be enacted to insist on a minimum distance between sources of pollution and school locations. 3) Environmental mitigation policies should be adopted to reduce children's potential exposure to pollution. 4) Oversight and enforcement at the national, state and local levels needs to ensure better school environments.

Ninety-five percent of the estimated industrial air pollution around schools comes from 12 chemicals: diisocyanates, manganese, sulfuric acid, nickel, chlorine, chromium, trimethylbenzene, hydrochloric acid, molybdenum trioxide, lead, cobalt and glycol ethers.

These pollutants come from a variety of sources, including the motor vehicle, steel and chemical- manufacturing industries, power plants, rubber and plastic products manufacturers, and lumber and wood products manufacturers. The 12 chemicals are suspected of producing a wide variety of health effects, including increased risk of respiratory, cardiovascular, developmental and neurological disorders, as well as cancer.

The work was funded by a grant from the Kresge Foundation.

In addition to Mohai and Kweon, the authors of the Health Affairs paper are Sangyun Lee, a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and Kerry Ard, a U-M graduate student at SNRE and the Department of Sociology.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Beachfront News

2011-05-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Agenda set for water quality workshop for Michigan journalists, freelancers and other communicators

Cost is free but register fast to reserve a slot: http://bit.ly/j58YwH

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Release: Train Day festivities, speakers abound Saturday in Lower Peninsula

2011-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

May 6, 2010

Contact:

Tim Fischer: 734-255-9206

John Langdon: 616-218-9009

Donuts, advocates, politicians flood Michigan railroad depots for public events Saturday

Record ridership, $4 gas give National Train Day added impact

Train stations in more than one dozen Lower Peninsula cities will host public celebrations of National Train Day this Saturday morning, May 7.

The events have special resonance, with gas prices crashing past the $4/gallon mark and Amtrak ridership on pace for a second consecutive record ridership year in 2011. The events will take place at local stations that serve as gateways to Michigan communities and visible symbols of the economic growth that statewide train travel brings to towns along the routes.

"Passenger rail travel is an increasingly important tool for Michigan travelers and commuters," said Tim Fischer, deputy policy director with the Michigan Environmental Council. "In Michigan we're on the brink of securing millions in federal funding to make our trains faster and more reliable. Saturday's events recognize the importance of rail travel to Michigan's transportation future."

State Senator Mike Nofs will present a Senate resolution declaring May 7 National Train Day in Michigan at 8:00 a.m. at the historic Jackson station.

The celebrations:

Ann Arbor Amtrak Station

325 Depot St., 7 to 9 a.m.

Coffee and donuts with Mayor John Hieftje and members of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.

Bangor Amtrak Station

541 Railroad St., 9 a.m. to Noon

Live music and refreshments with city officials and an HO scale model train layout from the Holland Modular Railroad Club.

Detroit Amtrak Station

112 W. Baltimore Ave., 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cake and coffee with local officials and advocates from groups including Transportation Riders United. City officials will read a mayoral proclamation at noon.

Dowagiac Amtrak Station

200 Depot Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Refreshments and a model train display from the Cass Railroad Club.

East Lansing Amtrak Station

1240 South Harrison Rd., 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Refreshments and reading of resolutions from the city and the Michigan House of Representatives with Michigan Environmental Council's Tim Fischer.

Ferndale Rainy Day Hobbies

22961 Woodward Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

An open house with model railroading demonstrations, events for kids and much more.

Flint Amtrak Station

1407 Dort Hwy. @ I-69, 6:30 a.m. to Noon

The National Association of Railway Business Women and Mid Michigan Railway Historical Society will lead the celebration and staff display booths.

Jackson Amtrak Station

501 E. Michigan Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

State Senator Mike Nofs presentation of Senate resolution, 8:00 a.m.

Model trains, interactive educational exhibits and a look at the historic Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society

9336 N. Riverview, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spring open house with a 1012 vintage full-size caboose to tour. Games for kids.

Kalamazoo Amtrak Station

459 N. Burdick St., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Multiple exhibitors and the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers will lead the event.

(Niles) Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve

13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Opening of Fernwood's railway garden with G-scale trains on four levels of track.

Niles Amtrak Station

598 Dey St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Interactive exhibits at the historic 1892 Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Saginaw Railway Museum

900 Maple St., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Open house and slideshow.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ GLREA: Call for presentations - Emerging Technology, Energy Efficiency

2011-05-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association is issuing a last call for presentations for the Michigan Energy Fair. We are specifically looking for presentations dealing with energy efficiency and emerging technology.

As we are down to only a few openings a submission will not guarantee inclusion in the Fair.

However, if you are interested in presenting at the Fair on Energy Efficiency or emerging technology please fill out the attached form and return it to samantha.keeney@glrea.org by 5:00pm Monday, May 9th.

Best,
Samantha Keeney
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
Program Manager
samantha.keeney@glrea.org

Join us for the Michigan Energy Fair June 24 - 26, 2011
Follow us on Twitter
Like our page on Facebook
517-646-6269
517-646-8584 fax
257 S. Bridge St
PO Box 346
Dimondale MI 48821
www.glrea.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

2011-05-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Moolenaar and Kahn are from the Dow Midland/Saginaw area.

Kathy

----- Original Message -----

From: Anne Woiwode

To: MICHDAVE@aol.com ; gehenry@chartermi.net ; hugh@environmentalcouncil.org ; enviro-mich@great-lakes.net

Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 8:51 PM

Subject: RE: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections
SENATE BILL No. 272

March 17, 2011, Introduced by Senators KOWALL, BRANDENBURG, GREEN, ROBERTSON, MARLEAU, EMMONS, ROCCA, CASPERSON, BOOHER, JONES, JANSEN, NOFS, PAPPAGEORGE, PROOS, SCHUITMAKER, MOOLENAAR, CASWELL, HANSEN, COLBECK, RICHARDVILLE and KAHN and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.

Anne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anne Woiwode, State Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906

517-484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org

Support Sierra Club Michigan Chapter! Go to http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport to make your donation!

"Is it fair to call climate denial a form of treason? Isn't it politics as usual? Yes, it is and that's why it's unforgivable." Paul Krugman, NYT, 6.29.09

From: enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net [mailto:enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of MICHDAVE@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 8:15 PM
To: gehenry@chartermi.net; hugh@environmentalcouncil.org; enviro-mich@great-lakes.net
Subject: Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

To Kathy Henry's point. Can those of you in the know on this legislation tell us who sponsored it and who may have testified in support of this legislation? So much for the state's rights posturing of the republicans.

It's worth mentioning that while EPA took over the lead on Dow's dioxin contamination in the river system, the state retained the lead in the City of Midland where city fathers and Dow have argued for the use of the EPA's 1980's outdated and antiquated 1,000 ppt for dioxin-- not at all protective of public health. So much for the republicans call for sound science.

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):
 
http://www.great-lakes.net
 
For information about this list, to change your subscription, or
search the archives, visit:
http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich
 
All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author
or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or
the Great Lakes Commission.
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

2011-05-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

SENATE BILL No. 272

March 17, 2011, Introduced by Senators KOWALL, BRANDENBURG, GREEN, ROBERTSON, MARLEAU, EMMONS, ROCCA, CASPERSON, BOOHER, JONES, JANSEN, NOFS, PAPPAGEORGE, PROOS, SCHUITMAKER, MOOLENAAR, CASWELL, HANSEN, COLBECK, RICHARDVILLE and KAHN and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.

Anne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anne Woiwode, State Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906

517-484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org

Support Sierra Club Michigan Chapter! Go to http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport to make your donation!

"Is it fair to call climate denial a form of treason? Isn’t it politics as usual? Yes, it is — and that’s why it’s unforgivable." Paul Krugman, NYT, 6.29.09

From: enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net [mailto:enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of MICHDAVE@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 8:15 PM
To: gehenry@chartermi.net; hugh@environmentalcouncil.org; enviro-mich@great-lakes.net
Subject: Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

To Kathy Henry's point. Can those of you in the know on this legislation tell us who sponsored it and who may have testified in support of this legislation? So much for the state's rights posturing of the republicans.

It's worth mentioning that while EPA took over the lead on Dow's dioxin contamination in the river system, the state retained the lead in the City of Midland where city fathers and Dow have argued for the use of the EPA's 1980's outdated and antiquated 1,000 ppt for dioxin-- not at all protective of public health. So much for the republicans call for sound science.

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):

http://www.great-lakes.net

For information about this list, to change your subscription, or

search the archives, visit:

http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich

All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author

or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or

the Great Lakes Commission.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

2011-05-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

2011-05-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

This seems to have Dow Chemical's dioxin contamination written all over it. EPA's current residential number is 1000 ppt. Michigan's current number is 90 ppt. Think of the lower liability for Dow is this bill passes. EPA seems too easily corrupted to ever publish the dioxin reassessment they have been working on for 30+ years, or enforcing the recently proposed interim number of 73ppt.

Kathy Henry

www.trwnews.net

----- Original Message -----

From: Hugh McDiarmid

To: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net

Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 1:38 PM

Subject: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

May 5, 2011

Contact: James Clift, 517-256-0553

Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Protections for the Great Lakes

Lansing – The Michigan Senate voted along party lines today to limit the authority of the governor to protect the Great Lakes. Under the provision, the executive branch is prohibited from issuing any rule that contains a standard more stringent than federal law unless specifically authorized by the legislature.

Flashback to the 1970s – Lake Erie was dying – algae beds were covering the lake – scientists pointed the finger at phosphorus in laundry detergent. The legislature refused to act. In 1976, Governor Milliken stepped up and issued an administrative rule limiting phosphorus – and the lakes recovered. The legislature affirmed that restriction 32 later in 2008.

Under the law passed by the Senate today, the governor would be prohibited from stepping in to protect the lakes as Gov. Milliken did 35 years ago.

"Federal standards to protect water quality are designed to be a minimum standard below which states are not allowed to drop. They are not written by people who feel a stewardship responsibility over one of the world's most important freshwater resource," said James Clift, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council.

"It seems inconceivable that politicians in the Great Lakes State believe Washington bureaucrats will protect the lakes better than those who live here. But that's what they've said with today's vote."

Senate Democrats tried to amend the bill to exempt rules designed to protect the Great Lakes, but that amendment failed.

###
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ TO: Wolves of Michigan

2011-05-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

To -- Wolves in Michigan

From: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Re: Change in status for wolf proposed - Today's FEderal Register

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-05-05/html/2011-9557.htm

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Job postings

2011-05-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Friends: The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter has two job openings to announce – please share these with qualified persons!

Position Opening: Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Assistant Chapter Director

The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant Chapter Director. The Assistant Chapter Director position demands demonstrated experience successfully managing a non-profit organization or project, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, political science or a related field. The Assistant Chapter Director will work closely with the Michigan Chapter Director in operational areas including budgeting and financial management, personnel, volunteer development and media relations. Communications skills including direct experience with producing on line and traditional publications and outreach tools for non-profit organizations are highly desirable. Applicants must have at least three years of experience in grassroots organizing, training, and motivating volunteers, coalition building and lobbying, or related fields. Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to Anne Woiwode, Michigan Chapter Director, by email to sierraclubmichigan@gmail.com with the subject line “Assistant Chapter Director position.” Any questions regarding the position must also be submitted to this email address. This position will remain open until filled.

Position Opening: Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Administrative Assistant (part-time) sought:

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Administrative Assistant to work in the Michigan Chapter office in the Lansing Old Town area. The position requires a demonstrated proficiency with computer programs including word processors, spreadsheets, and database, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interact effectively with Sierra Club volunteers, members and staff, as well as the general public. Please submit a cover letter and resume, or questions about the position, to Anne Woiwode, Michigan Chapter Director, by email to sierraclubmichigan@gmail.com with the subject line saying “Administrative Assistant position.” This position will remain open until filled.

Anne

Anne Woiwode, State Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Ecology Center annual meeting May 10

2011-05-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ecology Center annual meeting May 10

Stanford R. Ovshinsky, who has been described as the "modern world's most important energy visionary" and whose inventions have revolutionized the fields of energy and information over the last 50 years, will be the speaker at the Ecology Center annual meeting at 7 p.m. May 10 at Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor.

"Stan Ovshinsky is an inspiration to all for his dual commitments to creative science and to social justice," according to Ecology Center director Michael Garfield. "His innovations have led to developments that have reduced our reliance on fossil fuels, with major benefits both for industry and the environment."

The meeting also will include the election of board members; the Ecology Center's nominating committee has recommended five candidates for election to three-year terms. Two of the candidates are seeking re-election, and three of them are running for their first terms on the board.

The candidates nominated for re-election are Erica Munzel and Michelle Palmer. New candidates are Beverly Ghesquiere, Christine Green and Vijay Sankaran. Ecology Center members may vote for any or all five of the candidates, or write in names of alternate candidates. Short biographies of the candidates and a link to the ballot are available at http://ecocenter.org/membership/vote.

Terry Gallagher

Communications Director

The Ecology Center
734-761-3186 ext. 108

734-478-5645 (cell)

117 N Division

Ann Arbor MI 48104

www.ecocenter.org

Detroit Free Press Green Leader 2011

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes and Transition to Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable

2011-05-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

A great opportunity to learn about regional nuclear issues, and hear experts in their field.

In order to ensure a seat and also get a good estimate for lunch, we are urging people
to sign up early. See registration information in the email below.

Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes and Transition to
Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable
Saturday, May 14, 9AM - 5 PM Henry Ford Community College
Society of Mechanical Engineers (SME) Bldg.
5101 Evergreen Rd. Dearborn, MI First entrance south of Ford Rd.

To mapquest directions, the address of the SME Building is: 1 Sme Drive, Dearborn, MI 48121
General directions to the campus are available here (scroll down page): http://www.hfcc.edu/contact/locations.asp

Scheduled speakers:
Dr. Gordon Edwards - President of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility will address the radioactive contamination of the Earth and its Waters - accidental or deliberate? He will also speak on reactor waste policy in Canada.
Brennain Lloyd - Community organizer with Northwatch, who has worked for more than two decades on nuclear waste issues in Canada, including those at the Bruce nuclear complex on Lake Huron - She will speak on the risks of a proposed deep underground radioactive dump by Lake Huron.
Michael Keegan - Chair of Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes and Co Chair of Don't Waste Michigan will speak to why we should oppose a proposed new reactor at Monroe.
Kevin Kamps - Radioactive Waste Watchdog from Beyond Nuclear will discuss reactor waste policy in the Great Lakes and nationally, and why Davis-Besse reactor near Toledo should not be re-licensed.
Greg Laskowsky - Henry Ford Community College, Lead Instructor, Energy Technology - Energy & Technology Department will present information about the Renewable Energy Program at Henry Ford Community College.
Kathleen Law - Former Michigan legislator, who introduced the first German-style renewable energy bill in North America -and since adopted by Ontario - to address "How to Power our Grid with European-Style Renewable Energy Legislation."
Victor McManemy - Great Lakes songwriter, troubadour, historian, musician and advocate for Indigenous Peoples will perform.

The presenters will provide updates on U.S. and Canadian legislation.

Registration Information

RSVP early! (Seating is limited) - A suggested minimum donation of $25 including lunch can be paid on line at: http://tiny.cc/nukeroundtable
or send check payable to: S.E.M.G. - Mail to: May Event C/o SEMG/Sierra Club P.O. Box 405, Brown City, MI 48416 or pay $30 at the door, if seating is available. Students are free (but request $5 for lunch). Students should register, or RSVP to Ed McArdle at ecoguy2@netzero.net

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ / Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

2011-05-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Michigan’s New Motto: no longer the Great Lakes State, we will become Michigan: No Better than Indiana! (or Mississippi, or the state of your choice)!

Anne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anne Woiwode, State Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906

517-484-2372 anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org

Support Sierra Club Michigan Chapter! Go to http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport to make your donation!

"Is it fair to call climate denial a form of treason? Isn’t it politics as usual? Yes, it is — and that’s why it’s unforgivable." Paul Krugman, NYT, 6.29.09

From: enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net [mailto:enviro-mich-bounces@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of Hugh McDiarmid
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 1:38 PM
To: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net
Subject: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

May 5, 2011

Contact: James Clift, 517-256-0553

Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Protections for the Great Lakes

Lansing – The Michigan Senate voted along party lines today to limit the authority of the governor to protect the Great Lakes. Under the provision, the executive branch is prohibited from issuing any rule that contains a standard more stringent than federal law unless specifically authorized by the legislature.

Flashback to the 1970s – Lake Erie was dying – algae beds were covering the lake – scientists pointed the finger at phosphorus in laundry detergent. The legislature refused to act. In 1976, Governor Milliken stepped up and issued an administrative rule limiting phosphorus – and the lakes recovered. The legislature affirmed that restriction 32 later in 2008.

Under the law passed by the Senate today, the governor would be prohibited from stepping in to protect the lakes as Gov. Milliken did 35 years ago.

“Federal standards to protect water quality are designed to be a minimum standard below which states are not allowed to drop. They are not written by people who feel a stewardship responsibility over one of the world’s most important freshwater resource,” said James Clift, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council.

“It seems inconceivable that politicians in the Great Lakes State believe Washington bureaucrats will protect the lakes better than those who live here. But that’s what they’ve said with today’s vote.”

Senate Democrats tried to amend the bill to exempt rules designed to protect the Great Lakes, but that amendment failed.

###

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):

http://www.great-lakes.net

For information about this list, to change your subscription, or

search the archives, visit:

http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich

All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author

or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or

the Great Lakes Commission.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great Lakes Protections

2011-05-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

May 5, 2011

Contact: James Clift, 517-256-0553

Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Protections for the Great Lakes

Under the law passed by the Senate today, the governor would be prohibited from stepping in to protect the lakes as Gov. Milliken did 35 years ago.

"Federal standards to protect water quality are designed to be a minimum standard below which states are not allowed to drop. They are not written by people who feel a stewardship responsibility over one of the world's most important freshwater resource," said James Clift, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council.

"It seems inconceivable that politicians in the Great Lakes State believe Washington bureaucrats will protect the lakes better than those who live here. But that's what they've said with today's vote."

Senate Democrats tried to amend the bill to exempt rules designed to protect the Great Lakes, but that amendment failed.

###

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ On-site farm markets becoming more common, Michigan ag laws are catching up

2011-05-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

On-site farm markets are becoming more common and were recently added to the Michigan Right to Farm Act. Michigan adopted Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) last year in attempt to define on-farm markets and their activities. http://bit.ly/kDEJEc

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ FW: [319watershed] Huron Pines eNews 5-4-11

2011-05-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

_______________________________________________
319watershed mailing list
319watershed@macd.org
http://macd.org/mailman/listinfo/319watershed_macd.org

May 4, 2011

This week, we're asking you to send us your conservation trivia questions! Do you have an interesting piece of conservation trivia you would like to share? Or, are you seeking the answer to a conservation question and just can't seem to find it on Google? Sent it our way! Please email your trivia question to info@huronpines.org and keep an eye out for it in upcoming eNewsletters.

Below is the 5/4/11 update for Huron Pines.

· Invasive Species Summit—Friday, June 17

· The grouse are drumming and the chainsaws are running—field season has officially started!

· Pigeon River Forest Workshop—Saturday, May 21

· Huron Pines hosts training for new Great Lakes RSX datasheet

· Cedar Lake Elementary 'Compost Kids' celebrate Earth Day with Huron Pines

· Jobs & Spring Events

Thank you!

Huron Pines

www.huronpines.org

Invasive Species Summit—Friday, June 17

Mark your calendars for Friday, June 17 to talk coastal invasive species. Huron Pines will be hosting a summit to bring partners and the public together to talk about the invasive plants threatening Northeast Michigan's shoreline. The event will be held in Alpena at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and will begin with a partner meeting from 10am-12pm and then a public presentation from 1pm-4 pm.

Local volunteer groups, government officials, agency staff, and the public are welcome. Morning discussion will include an update on the Huron Pines "SWAT team" and other efforts to remove invasive species in Northeast Michigan. Afternoon presentations will include phragmites treatment demonstrations and safety measures as well as staff from Michigan Natural Features Inventory discussing the rare natural features of our Lake Huron coastline.

Please RSVP to either or both sessions by contacting Huron Pines Ecologist Jennifer Muladore at (989) 344-0753 ext. 31 or Jennifer@huronpines.org.

The grouse are drumming and the chainsaws are running—field season has officially started!

This year brings a new twist to Restoration Specialists Ken Reed and Tim Engelhardt scope of work. Though you will still see them installing some instream habitat on the Au Sable River, much of their time this year will be spent throughout our 11-county service area. They will be working with fisheries biologists and bringing their vast experience to enhance stream habitat on the Pigeon, Sturgeon and Rifle Rivers.

In addition to stream projects, Ken and Tim will be conducting numerous resource inventories including evaluating small dams in the Au Sable River watershed and along the coast of Lake Huron. They will also use the new Great Lakes Basin Road Stream Crossing Inventory protocol to evaluate sites for aquatic passage and sediment loading in the Au Sable and Rifle rivers. Later in the season will see the guys focusing on invasive species inventory and removal projects. Please welcome them back and keep your eye out as they span our 11 counties.

Pigeon River Forest Workshop—Saturday, May 21

Please join the Otsego Conservation District and our local Pigeon River Habitat Initiative partners for a free informational workshop from 10am-2pm. Topics will include forestry management options, water quality permitting requirements, conservation planning for private property and managing your property for wildlife. Lunch will be provided. The second half of the day will be outside and will feature examples of timber management and sediment traps on nearby private property. Please contact Rachel Koleda at (989) 732-4021 or rkoleda@otsegocountymi.gov for details.

Huron Pines hosts training for new Great Lakes RSX datasheet

On Tuesday, April 26, Huron Pines staff and partners braved pouring rain and cold temperatures to test out the new Great Lakes Road/Stream Crossing (RSX) datasheet and instructions in the field. The new form will ensure uniform data collection and sharing across multiple groups and regions, encouraging larger-scale, coordinated projects like those Huron Pines has recently received funding to complete. The group, comprised of experts from Michigan DNR and DEQ, U.S. Forest Service, and the Huron Pines technical staff, visited four sites on the Upper Manistee River, each exhibiting different possible issues that would affect water quality and passage of fish and other aquatic organisms. Read more at Great Lakes RSX.

Cedar Lake Elementary 'Compost Kids' Celebrate Earth Day with Huron Pines

On Friday, April 22 over 30 kindergarten through third grade students and 40 parents and volunteers celebrated Earth Day at Cedar Lake Elementary School in Oscoda. Through a partnership with Huron Pines and the school's "Compost Kids" program led by teacher Jamie Merdzinski, the kids planted 60 trees on the playground, helped clean up the school's gardens, and painted outdoor tables and benches. A split-rail fence was also installed around the school's compost pile.

"Our school yard looks great and we are very thankful for all the volunteers that came locally and from all over the state," says Merdzinski. "Volunteering together makes a big difference to a lot of people!"

View photos from the event at 2011 Earth Day. We'd like to thank Neiman's Market in Tawas City for donating healthy snacks and The Home Depot's in West Branch and Traverse City for donating $100 each for tools and materials.

This was the second of eight Huron Pines volunteer events in 2011. For a full list of future events, visit www.volunteernorthernmichigan.org.

Jobs and Spring Events

Be sure to check the Huron Pines Calendar for a full list of conservation events!

Montmorency Conservation District: Private Lands Forestry/Wildlife Habitat Technician

Click here for more information

May 9: DNR Ash Management Workshop, Traverse City

The Department of Natural Resources will host three emerald ash borer (EAB) forest management workshops in May for private forest landowners in the northern Lower Peninsula. Foresters and forest health specialists will give workshop participants information on ash management, timber sale setup and implementation, EAB biology, current outbreak locations, and a general update on forest health issues. Presenters will also share information on federal and state programs that address EAB problems. More information is available at http://www.emeraldashborer.info.

May 10: DNR Ash Management Workshop, Petoskey

See description above.

May 12: DNR Ash Management Workshop, Alpena

See description above.

May 12-15: Tawas Point Birding Festival, East Tawas

Now in its 6th year, the Tawas Point Birding Festival has gained nationwide recognition as a top destination for observing spring bird migration. Birders from 21 states flocked to Tawas and Oscoda communities in 2010. Due to its popularity, this year's event will again host the Annual Conference of the Michigan Audubon Society. Learn more at www.tawasbirdfest.com.

May 21: Pigeon River Habitat Initiative Workshop, Gaylord

See description above.

May 21: Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Festival, Roscommon

Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Festival is "A Celebration of Nature." There will be a pancake breakfast, off-campus birding field trips, a kid's activity tent, horse-drawn nature tours, nature walk, fishing pond, silent auction, and presentations throughout the day, including an invasive species discussion led by Huron Pines at 10am. For more details and photos go to http://warbler.kirtland.edu.

May 26: Local Government Workshop—Focus on the Rifle River, West Branch

The Planning and Zoning Center at Michigan State University is identifying actions local governments can take through local planning and zoning to improve and protect water quality in the Saginaw Bay Watershed. Local planning and zoning commissioners, zoning administrators, elected local officials and other champions of clean water are welcome. For more information, please contact Jacqueline Spry, Michigan State University at (517) 432-2222 ext. 123 or jacqueline.spry@landpolicy.msu.edu.

Support Conservation in Northeast Michigan Today!

To subscribe, send an email to: enewsletter-subscribe@lists.huronpines.org. To unsubscribe, send an email to: enewsletter-unsubscribe@lists.huronpines.org.

For questions about this email or if you are unable to automatically subscribe/unsubscribe, contact: info@huronpines.org

Huron Pines is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to conserve the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan.

Huron Pines • 501 Norway Street • Grayling, MI 49738

Phone 989.344.0753 Fax 989.348.7945

www.huronpines.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ GREAT Service Outing, Weekend May 21 & 22, on the Muskegon River!

2011-05-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

Upper Manistee River Cedar Planting

Starts: Saturday May 21, 2011 10:00

Ends: Sunday May 22, 2011 1:00 pm

Grayling State Forest

Cameron Bridge Rd

Frederic, MI

Join the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club to help The Cedars of the Au Sable group plant cedars along the Upper Manistee River west of Frederic. We will meet at Cameron Bridge at 10 AM on Saturday for a day of cedar planting. We’ll camp at a nearby State Forest Campground on the Manistee River. If necessary, we’ll finish our tree planting on Sunday, May 22nd. Open to Sierra Club members and nonmembers. Each participant is responsible for their own tools, camping gear and food.

Lorne Beatty, Michigan Chapter Outings Chair, is the contact for this great outing – find out the details here:

http://suapi2.org/api/0/e/detail/options:eventid=17463

Anne

Anne Woiwode, State Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906

517-484-2372 www.michigan.sierraclub.org

Support Sierra Club's work in Michigan here: http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport

"If you don't know how to fix it, please, stop breaking it... " Severn Suzuki at the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ 2011 National Environmental Sustainability Summit June 7 - 9 in Detroit

2011-05-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Don't miss this year's National Environmental Sustainability Summit scheduled June 7 - 9 in Detroit, Michigan!

Early registration ends May 6! Register now at www.environmentalsummit.org

The 2011 National Environmental Sustainability Summit (www.environmentalsummit.org) is the country’s largest and most extensive conference on environmental sustainability. It is sponsored by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, U.S. EPA, and Terrachord LLC and assisted by numerous national and regional partners.

Scheduled for June 7 – 9 in one of the Midwest’s most unique and historic hotels, the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, the Summit will attract national leaders from nonprofit organizations, government, academia, and business and industry to exchange ideas on the most effective environmental sustainability programs and practices. This year’s theme, Partnering to Grow the Green Economy, encourages collaborative approaches to important national and global environmental sustainability issues.

This year’s Summit features:

Ø Michigan Green Leaders - individuals, businesses and organizations acknowledged for their innovation, job creation, sustainable development, community advocacy, and conservation.

Ø Sessions focused on automotive manufacturing, including a high level expert panel of the “Big Three” and opening remarks by one of the nation’s top environmental professionals in the field of sustainability – Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator for U.S. EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

Ø Over 50 breakout sessions on sustainable hospitals, safer chemicals, reducing energy costs, LEED, establishing a green workforce, green families, sustainable electronics, sustainability metrics and approaches, and more.

Ø Speakers from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including representatives of private industry, government, academia and nonprofit organizations.

Ø Technical, practical and motivational topics -- an ideal combination of education, information, and networking.

Please help us promote this event and “like” our Facebook page at: www.environmentalsummit.org!

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ scrap tires and tree cities

2011-05-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

State funds project to curb scrap tire perils: http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/05/03/state-funds-projects-to-curb-scrap-tire-perils/

Also on Echo:

Tree cities bloom across Michigan: http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/05/03/tree-cities-blooming-across-michigan/

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ RFP for Biological Monitoring at Erie Marsh, MI and Middle Harbor, OH

2011-05-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues:

The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. are restoring large areas of coastal wetlands at Erie Marsh Preserve in Monroe County, Michigan and Middle Harbor in Ottawa County, Ohio. The Nature Conservancy is soliciting bids for both pre- and post-restoration monitoring over approximately 2 years. Monitoring will include sampling water quality, fish, vegetation, birds, and amphibians and reptiles. Sampling design, methods, and timelines are described in the RFP materials, which can be obtained by contacting Chris May (cmay@tnc.org).

Proposals are due May 27, 2011 no later than 5 p.m. eastern time.

Best regards,

Chris May

Explore The Nature Conservancy’s new and improved Great Lakes website featuring an interactive map!

Please consider the environment before printing this email

Christopher A. May
Director of Stewardship

cmay@tnc.org
(517) 316-2274

(517) 316-9886 (Fax)

nature.org

The Nature Conservancy
in Michigan

101 E. Grand River
Lansing, MI 48906

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Michigan Environmental Council – Capitol Update – May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

On the Senate floor is a number of bills to address the topic of regulatory reform. Unfortunately, the bills fail to streamline or improve the efficiency of our regulatory rules process. Instead the bills add to the number of studies the department must conduct before promulgating a new administrative rule. So much for running government like a business.

In addition, it subjects the state to lawsuits by any business that thinks the studies conducted by the agency are not "accurate". If they show that the department did not "accurately predict the impact it allows the business to collect ten times it permit fees plus attorney fee and expert witness costs. Under these conditions, we can expect state agencies to end the practice of updating rules due to potential liability concerns for their agency.

Senate

Passed:

SB 207 – A bill to eliminate the minimum hunting age and establish a mentoring program.

On the floor:

HB 4111 – A bill to allow would allow the Department of Natural Resources to appoint volunteers to help in carrying out department conservation responsibilities.

SB 274 – A bill to authorize the joint committee on administrative rules to review both pending and current rules.

SJR E - a ballot measure that would penalize legislators if the annual budget was not in place by July 1

In Committee:

Economic Development will meet on Tuesday (5/3) at 2:30 pm to take up:

SB 273 – A bill to update reference to administrative procedures act.

SB 275 – A bill to create a presumption that an application is complete unless the department informs the permittee otherwise within 30 days of receiving a permit and limits the departments ability to ask for more data.

SB 277 – Requires the MDEQ to conduct peer reviews on all of its programs.

SB 278 – A bill to require government agencies and the legislature to provide oversight of programs on a periodic basis.

SB 279 – A bill to establish a stratified random sampling process for inspections under NREPA.

SB 334 – Expands business improvement districts to include townships.

Natural Resources, Environment and the Great Lakes will meet on Thursday (5/4) at 8:30 am to take up:

SR 39 - A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to remove gray wolves in Michigan from the federal endangered species list and to amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent similar future situations.

HB 4415 – A bill to allow retired firefighters to work with the DNR on fire suppression efforts.

House

Passed:

On the floor:

HB 4042 – A bill to require the DEQ to explain the reasons for permit denials

HB 4043 – A bill to require the DEQ to offer pre-enforcement meetings with permit holders to attempt to resolve compliance issues.

HB 4371 – a bill to eliminate the minimum hunting age and create mentored youth hunting program.

HB 4133 – A bill to provide for water quality alliances

HB 4524 – Budget authorization for FY 2011-12 for the Departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

HB 4526 – Budget authorization for FY 2011-12 for the Departments of Transportation, General Government and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

In Committee:

Agriculture will meet on Wednesday (5/4) at 9:00 am to take testimony on:

Energy and Technology will meet on Tuesday (5/3) at 9 am to take up HCR 9 – a resolution to urge FERC to modify the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) ruling on transmission cost allocation.

Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will meet on Tuesday (5/3) at 9:00 am to take up:

SB 207 – A bill to eliminate the minimum hunting age and establish a mentoring program, and to take testimony on:

HB 4577 – A bill to redirect money from the Natural Resources Trust Fund to make payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) payments on certain properties.

HB 4579 – A bill to revise the funds from which PILT payments are made.

Regulatory Reform will meet on Wednesday (5/4) at 10:30 am to take up

SB 245 – A bill to allow adoption of local ordinance to set construction standards for beach or residential lifts, and for a presentation:

HB 4016 – A bill to require the MDEQ to engage in performance improvement reviews for each of its major programs.

HB 4017- A bill to define how the MDEQ should undertake random inspections.

Submitted by:

James Clift, Policy Director

Michigan Environmental Council

119 Pere Marquette, Ste. 2A

Lansing, MI 48912

environmentalcouncil.org
twitter.com/MichEnvCouncil
facebook.com/MichiganEnvironmentalCouncil

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Old dams in need of repair

2011-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Old dams fail inspection but repair money isn't there: http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/05/02/old-dams-fail-inspection-but-repair-money-isn%E2%80%99t-there/

Also on Echo:

Green campuses get spot in national honor roll: http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/05/02/green-campuses-get-spot-in-national-honor-roll/

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ EPA/ACE on Clean Water Act extent of jurisdiction

2011-05-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

In 05/02/2011 Federal Register....

EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers publish proposed

guidance for the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act

in partial response to the Supreme Court decision

in the Rapanos case in Michigan; comments due

on 07/01/2011 :

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance: Identification of Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act, 24479-24480

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-05-02/html/2011-10565.htm

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ another perfluorinated acid, used as corrosion inhibitor, detected in GL fish

2011-05-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Detection of a Cyclic Perfluorinated Acid, Perfluoroethylcyclohexane Sulfonate, in the Great Lakes of North America

Amila O. De Silva, Christine Spencer, Brian F. Scott, Sean Backus, and Derek C. G. Muir

Environmental Science & Technology

Publication Date (Web): 29 Apr 2011 (Article)

DOI: 10.1021/es200135c

Abstract

Amila O. De Silva*, Christine Spencer, Brian F. Scott, Sean Backus, and Derek C. G. Muir

Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON Canada L7R 4A6

Environ. Sci. Technol., Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/es200135c

Publication Date (Web): April 29, 2011

*Tel: 905-336-4407; fax: 905-336-4699; e-mail: amila.desilva@ec.gc.ca.

Abstract

Perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS) is a cyclic perfluorinated acid (PFA) mainly used as an erosion inhibitor in aircraft hydraulic fluids. It is expected to be as recalcitrant to environmental degradation as aliphatic PFAs including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). For the first time, PFECHS is reported in top predator fish (<MDL to 3.7 ng g¹ wet weight in whole body homogenate) from the Great Lakes and in surface waters (0.165.7 ng L¹). PFOS was the major aliphatic PFA in fish from the Great Lakes. Concentrations of most of the PFAs were not statistically different from previously reported 2004 trout data in Lake Ontario. Shorter chain perfluorocarboxylates were prevalent in surface waters of the Great Lakes, dominated by PFOA (0.655.5 ng/L). An impurity in the commercial PFECHS formulation, perfluoromethylcyclohexane sulfonate (PFMeCHS), was also detected in the dissolved phase but not above detection limits in fish tissue. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were estimated by taking the ratio of fish to water concentrations. The mean log BAF values corresponded to 2.8 for PFECHS, 2.1 for PFOA, and 4.5 for PFOS. It is not certain whether the fishwater BAF for PFECHS is an overestimate due to the influence of precursor biotransformation. Further studies are recommended to understand the extent of PFECHS contamination.

-------

Ted Schettler

Science and Environmental Health Network

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Mackinac Center Press Release TODAY

2011-04-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Mackinac Center Files Friend-of-the-Court Brief in Michigan Case That Could Become a Watershed in State Environmental Law

April 29, 2011

Brief seeks to ensure that proof of criminal intent remains necessary in prosecutions for most crimes; 'the goal of our system of justice is not to criminalize mistakes made by citizens engaged in ordinary activities,' says Center attorney

For Immediate Release
Friday, April 29, 2011
Contact: Patrick Wright
Director, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation
or
Michael Jahr
Vice President for Communications
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
989-631-0900

MIDLAND — The Mackinac Center for Public Policy yesterday filed an amicus brief in a Kent County case that Center attorney Patrick J. Wright described as a "possible watershed in state criminal and environmental law." The case involves a Sparta business owner who was accused of violating state wetland law in 2006 when he extended his parking lot over a soggy area of his property to accommodate a business expansion. The defendant was found guilty of two misdemeanor crimes, but the judge did not instruct the jury to determine whether the defendant had altered the purported wetland with an intent to break the law.

"Proof of criminal intent, or what the law calls 'mens rea,' has long been required in criminal convictions," said Wright, "since unlike civil penalties, they carry a stigma and often involve jail time. There are exceptions to this requirement for so-called strict-liability crimes, but these are supposed to involve dangerous substances with few beneficial uses. This case involved moving dirt and extending a parking lot — actions that should be crimes only if there's proof of criminal intent."

Wright added, "This is an important principle, independent of this particular case. The goal of our system of justice is not to criminalize mistakes made by citizens engaged in ordinary activities. Unfortunately, the trial court appears to have relied on an earlier Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that plainly misconstrued a standard legal test in determining whether a state environmental statute required strict liability. If that ruling now becomes a trend, members of the general public who perform commonplace activities could be found guilty of crimes under frequently complex state environmental statutes and regulations without realizing they were breaking the law."

The current case, State of Michigan v. Taylor, is now before the Michigan Court of Appeals after being remanded by the Michigan Supreme Court. The Mackinac Center is not representing a party in the case; rather, it has filed a "friend-of-the-court" brief for the appeals court to consider.

The Center has, however, followed the Sparta wetland dispute for several years. In 2008, the Center published "Hart Enterprises: A Wetland Case Study," by Russ Harding, director of the Mackinac Center's Property Rights Network. Although the study did not discuss the pending court action, Harding, a former director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, ultimately rejected the DEQ's "broad interpretation" of the state wetland statute and concluded that the area in question was not a regulated wetland under state law.

The Mackinac Center's legal brief does not address the property's status as a wetland, but instead requests the Court of Appeals to rule that proof of criminal intent should be required in criminal prosecutions of this kind. If the appeals court agrees, the defendant's convictions could be vacated, leaving the Kent County prosecutor to decide whether to retry the case.

#####

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival

2011-04-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Ann Arbor Earth Day festival is scheduled for this Sunday, May 1 from 12:00 to 4:00pm at Washtenaw Community College's Community Park. This free event is open to the public and features nearly 60 local, nonprofit environmental exhibitors.

Activities and entertainment for youth are featured, including musician Joe Riley, the Bubble Man, live raptors from the Leslie Science & Nature Center, live reptiles with Brian Cressman, face-painting, and hands-on crafts that help explore our natural world. All are encouraged to come dressed as your favorite species to join Joe's All-Species Dance! More information about the event can be found here.

Entertainment Tent Schedule

12:00 - 1:45 Music Jam with WCC

2:00 - 3:00 Concert with Joe Riley and an All-Species Dance

3:15 - 3:45 Energy Efficiency Workshop with Clean Energy Coalition

Hope to see you there!

Please note our new address and phone number!

Robyn Skodzinsky | Outreach Coordinator

924 N. Main, Suite 2 | Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734.585.5720 x21 | 734.418.1681 f

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ GLREA: Michigan Energy Fair- Exhibitor Program Guide Listing

2011-04-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon!

The Michigan Energy Fair Program Guide is going to print soon!

If you would like your company highlighted as an exhibitor in the printed Program Guide, which is being mailed out prior to the event.

Please register here by close of business Monday, May 2nd. To ensure that your business is listed, and receives as much publicity as possible.

Best,
Samantha Keeney
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
Program Manager
samantha.keeney@glrea.org

Join us for the Michigan Energy Fair June 24 - 26, 2011
Follow us on Twitter
Like our page on Facebook
517-646-6269
517-646-8584 fax
257 S. Bridge St
PO Box 346
Dimondale MI 48821
www.glrea.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Chicago View

2011-04-29T04:53:00.000-07:00

Can Illinois senator fill void of Great Lakes leadership?
http://bit.ly/lAHFVg

David Poulson
Associate Director
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
Michigan State University
517 432 5417
Blog: CoverThePlanet.org
Twitter: DPoulson
Editor: GreatLakesEcho.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Butterflies found: Habitat restoration helps one of world's rarest butterflies

2011-04-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

Two nature restoration projects in Southwest Michigan are rejuvenating wetland habitats as a hospitable home for endangered species, including one of the world's rarest butterflies. http://bit.ly/m82wUy

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Obama Administration, New Clean Water Act Rules & Great Lakes

2011-04-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

The Obama Administration initiated a process to re-instate Clean Water Act protections to U.S. waters—including those which are essential to the health of the Great Lakes. read more at: http://bit.ly/GLcleanwater

Here’s comment from Jeff Skelding of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition:

“President Obama’s investment to restore the Great Lakes is already producing results, and we expect that today’s action will only bolster efforts to protect one of this country’s most iconic waters—one that supplies drinking water to more than 30 million people.”

He added:

“We encourage the Obama Administration to urgently move to implement a final rule that restores Clean Water Act protections to waters that millions of people in the Great Lakes region and across the country depend on for their drinking water, public health and recreational opportunities.”

Jordan

Jordan Lubetkin

Senior Regional Communications Manager

National Wildlife Federation' Great Lakes Regional Center

213 W. Liberty St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

lubetkin@nwf.org

w: 734-887-7109

c: 734-904-1589

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

2011-04-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

The sentence "Michigan Supreme Court has reversed a major decision that expanded the ability to sue the state in environmental disputes" really bothers me. Essentially, the Supreme Court reversed a major decision that RESTORED the ability to sue the state in environmental disputes. This particular phrasing creates a handle for small government crazies and others who don't understand that their rights have been abrogated to grab on to, and it allows them to believe that a blow has been struck for "freedom, democracy, and lower taxes" when, in reality, the opposite has happened.

Chris Reader

On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 12:02 PM, <MICHDAVE@aol.com> wrote:

Mich. court reverses ability to sue in environmental cases

Ed White AP

Detroit— The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed a major decision that expanded the ability to sue the state in environmental disputes, reigniting an ideological battle between liberal justices and conservatives who are back in the majority after the fall election.

Snip: The case "presents nothing but abstract questions of law, which do not rest upon existing facts or rights," said justices Robert Young Jr., Mary Beth Kelly, Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra.

Experts had predicted such an outcome after Kelly's election put Republicans in control of the court Jan. 1.

There is a turbulent history behind the right to sue Michigan regulators under the state's Environmental Protection Act, known as MEPA. In 2004, conservatives on the court in a case known as Preserve the Dunes mostly limited watchdog groups' right to challenge on procedural grounds, not on the potential impacts of a project, such as groundwater pumping, sand mining or a new coal-burning plant.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110426/LIFESTYLE14/104260394/1022/Mich.-court-reverses-ability-to-sue-in-environmental-cases

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Re: EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

2011-04-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. is proud to be as corrupt his Tea Party bro on the US Supreme Court.

-----Original Message-----
From: MICHDAVE@aol.com
To: enviro-mich@great-lakes.net
Sent: Wed, Apr 27, 2011 12:02 pm
Subject: EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

Mich. court reverses ability to sue in environmental cases

Ed White AP

Detroit— The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed a major decision that expanded the ability to sue the state in environmental disputes, reigniting an ideological battle between liberal justices and conservatives who are back in the majority after the fall election.

Snip: The case "presents nothing but abstract questions of law, which do not rest upon existing facts or rights," said justices Robert Young Jr., Mary Beth Kelly, Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra.

Experts had predicted such an outcome after Kelly's election put Republicans in control of the court Jan. 1.

There is a turbulent history behind the right to sue Michigan regulators under the state's Environmental Protection Act, known as MEPA. In 2004, conservatives on the court in a case known as Preserve the Dunes mostly limited watchdog groups' right to challenge on procedural grounds, not on the potential impacts of a project, such as groundwater pumping, sand mining or a new coal-burning plant.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110426/LIFESTYLE14/104260394/1022/Mich.-court-reverses-ability-to-sue-in-environmental-cases

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ EPA Steps Up to Protect Our Drinking Water

2011-04-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cyndi Roper

Michigan Director

Clean Water Action

Phone: 517-490-1394

E-Mail: croper@cleanwater.org

Paul Schwartz

National Policy Coordinator

Clean Water Action

Phone: 202-279-0438 (cell) 202-895-0420, ext 105 (office)

E-Mail: pschwartz@cleanwater.org

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
EPA Steps Up to Protect Our Drinking Water

Washington, DC – Clean Water Action, speaking on behalf of its one million members, today praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of a new proposal to close gaps in water and health protection under the Clean Water Act.

"This will go a long way toward fixing the Clean Water Act, a law that has been broken for far too long," said Clean Water Action President, Robert Wendelgass. "Polluter-friendly court decisions and actions by the previous administration have left drinking water sources for 117 million Americans at risk," Wendelgass said. "We need these fundamental protections restored, and until that happens people's drinking water and their health are on the line."

For Americans whose water sources are no longer protected under the Clean Water Act, the status quo means they face increased contamination risks. Communities also face the prospect of higher water costs as expensive filtration and disinfection technologies are deployed.

"Ask almost anyone and they understand that if your goal is fishable, swimmable, drinkable water, you can't get there by protecting some of the water. You have to protect it all," said Lynn Thorp, Clean Water Action National Campaigns Coordinator. "Ceding control of upstream water quality to polluters and developers, which is essentially what has happened, is a formula for dirty water that threatens people's drinking water and health."

EPA has published a draft "Guidance" to state and regional permitting officials to begin addressing the gap in Clean Water Act protections for many water bodies. EPA also announced a 60 day public comment period on the proposal. The Guidance was released during a day of Administration activity focused on the need for a more holistic approach to water issues and the release of an Agency report highlighting cleanup progress and the continued importance of clean water for community health and economic well being.

Since 2003 more than 500,000 Clean Water Action members have written to Members of Congress, the White House and EPA asking that clean water protections be restored for all the nation's water bodies. Clean Water Action plans to mobilize policy experts and tens of thousands of its members across more than a dozen states to support strong water protections under the final Guidance.

"Will the public support EPA taking action to fix this problem? You bet," says Michigan Director Cyndi Roper. "Our members are a cross section of America, from cities and suburbs to rural areas, Democrats, Republicans and independents. We all want clean water."

Clean Water Action is the nation's largest grassroots group focused on water, energy and environmental health. Clean Water Action's has more than 1 million members nationwide – more than 250,000 in Michigan — supporting programs for clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, and creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses. Clean Water Action's nonpartisan campaigns empower people to make democracy work. www.cleanwateraction.org

###

Cyndi Roper

Michigan Director

Clean Water Action

1200 Michigan Ave., Suite C

East Lansing, MI 48823

Cell: 517.490.1394

croper@cleanwater.org

www.cleanwateraction.org

This message (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the person(s) to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you receive this message in error, please notify me immediately by email, telephone, or fax, and delete the original message from your records. Thank you.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

2011-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Mich. court reverses ability to sue in environmental cases

Ed White AP

Snip: The case "presents nothing but abstract questions of law, which do not rest upon existing facts or rights," said justices Robert Young Jr., Mary Beth Kelly, Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra.

Experts had predicted such an outcome after Kelly's election put Republicans in control of the court Jan. 1.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110426/LIFESTYLE14/104260394/1022/Mich.-court-reverses-ability-to-sue-in-environmental-cases

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Lone Tree Council
989-799-3313
cell 989-327-0854
michdave@aol.com
www.cleanwatershedcampaign.org

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Job Opening- Executive Director with Michigan Nature Association

2011-04-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Michigan Nature Association, Michigan's oldest land protection organization, is accepting applications for its Executive Director position.

On behalf of its members and the public, MNA protects over 10,000 acres across Michigan in 170 sanctuaries and plant preserves in 58 counties, from the Keweenaw to the Indiana line. MNA seeks a dynamic leader to continue MNA's nearly 60-year tradition of nature protection and education. This challenging position works with current and prospective MNA members and donors, public and private foundations, and grant providers. The position is based at MNA's headquarters in Williamston, with travel required throughout Michigan and occasionally out-of-state.

MNA's Executive Director focuses on external operations such as development, outreach, and communications while retaining overall oversight and quality control responsibilities for the organization's nine other employees, independent contractors, and operations. Most day-to-day management is handled by MNA's Operations Director. The Executive Director regularly interacts with an engaged Board, MNA's officers and individual trustees, many other volunteers, and the public. The MNA team is responsible for meeting an annual operating budget of approximately $800,000, with annual fundraising of nearly $500,000 expected.

A more complete description of our Expectations for the Executive Director can be found at www.michigannature.org/ED.pdf. More information about MNA is available on its website, www.michigannature.org. Salary and benefits are expected to be competitive and will depend on the applicant's overall qualifications and experience. MNA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications must be received by Friday, May 27, 2011. Application materials should include:

•a cover letter describing the applicant's development/fundraising and management experience and results, and any specific experience with non-profits and/or conservancies or land trusts
•a current resume or CV including experience, employment, and education histories and any relevant licensures or certifications,
•a significant, relevant writing sample, and
•at least three references with contact information.

Application materials should be submitted by email to MNA President Steve Kelley at skelley@kelleyattys.com or by mail to 19501 East Eight Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080. Questions about this posting or position requirements should be submitted to the above email address.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM:/ Michigan phosphorus fertilizer ban starts next January

2011-04-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

The ban applies to commercial and residential lawns but not agricultural use. http://bit.ly/i0iOiu

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  enviro-mich is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):  http://www.great-lakes.net  For information about this list, to change your subscription, or search the archives, visit: http://mailman.great-lakes.net/mailman/listinfo/enviro-mich  All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or the Great Lakes Commission.  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Contact:	Cyndi Roper
	Michigan Director
	Clean Water Action
	Phone: 517-490-1394
	E-Mail: croper@cleanwater.org

	Paul Schwartz
	National Policy Coordinator
	Clean Water Action
	Phone: 202-279-0438 (cell) 202-895-0420, ext 105 (office)
	E-Mail: pschwartz@cleanwater.org

enviromich

EM:/ healthy birds and cheap adventures

EM:/ Reminder: Upper Manistee Service outing, May 21st

EM:/ Protect fisheries from coal plants

LANCE WEYENETH in today's Freep: "As a guy who loves to fish and whose business depends on the quality of Michigan's rivers, it made my blood boil to hear that Michigan is the 10th worst state in the nation for toxic mercury pollution." Lance Weyeneth's op-ed here.

EM:/ sewage count

EM:/ Lake Erie dead walleye and small hatch

EM:/ "Burning Rivers" Lecture at Cranbrook Institute of Science Tonight!

EM:/ EPA elites and Wisconsin rollbacks

EM:/ Wolverine coal plant

EM:/ Let's Start With Big Oil

EM:/ beach crime and trivia

EM:/ Reporters in Great Lakes region

EM:/ Predators and food

EM:/ Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes/Transition to Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable

EM:/ Clinton River Watershed Rain Barrel Sale in Rochester Mi this Weekend!

EM:/ dioxin, MI senate and infants

EM:/ YES MEN announce launching Coal Cares prank

EM:/ Morels

They make Michigan money

http://bit.ly/k8nCWk

EM:/ Press Release: Giant Duck Flocks to Capitol to ask for Safe Children’s Products Legislation

EM:/ Natural Shorelines on MI Inland Lakes

EM:/ retrieving logs and feeding wildlife

EM:/ GLREA: Early Bird Registration Ends Today

EM:/ Consumers Energy customers saved $38 million through energy efficiency last year; company stands to earn $8.5 million reward

EM:/ Free Field Trips June 4

Summer Saturday Field Trips

EM:/ Michigan Environmental Council – Capitol Update – May 9, 2011

EM:/ diesel and trees

Push on to cut diesel exhaust in Michigan. http://bit.ly/k5qq56

EM:/ Media Advisory: Families, Children’s Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol

EM:/ NEWS RELEASE: Strollers and Stethoscopes: Parents, Nurses Show Support for EPA and Clean Air Act

EM:/ fish comeback

EM:/ Media Advisory: Families, Children’s Advocates, and Giant Duck Flock to the Capitol

EM:/ Air Pollution And Michigan Kids' Performance

Here's a link to the journal article.

Air Pollution Around Schools Is Linked To Poorer Student Health And Academic Performance

Abstract

EM:/ air pollution near Michigan schools linked to poorer health, academic performance

Air Pollution Near Michigan Schools Linked to Poorer Student Health, Academic Performance

EM:/ Beachfront News

EM:/ Release: Train Day festivities, speakers abound Saturday in Lower Peninsula

EM:/ GLREA: Call for presentations - Emerging Technology, Energy Efficiency

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken GreatLakesProtections

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

Re: EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

EM:/ TO: Wolves of Michigan

EM:/ Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Job postings

EM:/ Ecology Center annual meeting May 10

EM:/ Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes and Transition to Clean Safe Energy  International Roundtable

Re: EM:/ / Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great LakesProtections

EM:/ Release: Senate Republicans Vote to Weaken Great Lakes Protections

EM:/ On-site farm markets becoming more common, Michigan ag laws are catching up

EM:/ FW: [319watershed] Huron Pines eNews 5-4-11

EM:/ GREAT Service Outing, Weekend May 21 & 22, on the Muskegon River!

EM:/ 2011 National Environmental Sustainability Summit June 7 - 9 in Detroit

EM:/ scrap tires and tree cities

EM:/ RFP for Biological Monitoring at Erie Marsh, MI and Middle Harbor, OH

EM:/ Michigan Environmental Council – Capitol Update – May 2, 2011

EM:/ Old dams in need of repair

EM:/ EPA/ACE on Clean Water Act extent of jurisdiction

EM:/ another perfluorinated acid, used as corrosion inhibitor, detected in GL fish

Abstract

EM:/ Mackinac Center Press Release TODAY

Mackinac Center Files Friend-of-the-Court Brief in Michigan Case That Could Become a Watershed in State Environmental Law

Brief seeks to ensure that proof of criminal intent remains necessary in prosecutions for most crimes; 'the goal of our system of justice is not to criminalize mistakes made by citizens engaged in ordinary activities,' says Center attorney

EM:/ Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival

EM:/ GLREA: Michigan Energy Fair- Exhibitor Program Guide Listing

EM:/ Chicago View

EM:/ Butterflies found: Habitat restoration helps one of world's rarest butterflies

EM:/ Obama Administration, New Clean Water Act Rules & Great Lakes

Re: EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

Re: EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

EM:/ EPA Steps Up to Protect Our Drinking Water

EPA Steps Up to Protect Our Drinking Water

EM:/ AP: MI Court reverses ability to sue

EM:/ Job Opening- Executive Director with Michigan Nature Association

EM:/ Michigan phosphorus fertilizer ban starts next January

EM:/ Nuclear Threats to the Great Lakes and Transition to Clean Safe Energy International Roundtable