Top Priority
Protect The Great Lakes: Restore The Clean Water Act
The Great Lakes are the defining feature of Michigan’s natural heritage. Comprising 90 percent of the fresh surface water of North America, the Lakes are the lifeblood of our ecology, economy, and way of life. But all this depends on the countless streams and wetlands that provide the Lakes with clean water, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Unfortunately, nearly half of the streams and 1 million acres of wetlands in Michigan are now at risk from unlimited development and pollution. That’s because the Bush administration – and the courts – have begun excluding these vital waters from the protections of the Clean Water Act.
If we want to keep the Great Lakes clean, we have to reverse this “no protection” policy now. That’s why Environment Michigan is working hard to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act – a bill in Congress that would protect ALL waters in the Great Lakes ecosystem. And our sister organizations in other Great Lakes states are doing the same.
And so far, we’re making progress. The Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421) has 175 co-sponsors in the House - including Representatives Dingell, Ehlers, Stupak, Kildee, Levin, Kilpatrick, and Conyers – and 20 in the Senate, including Senators Levin and Stabenow. And in mid-April, the bill was heard in committees in the House and Senate.
Throughout the summer, Environment Michigan is working as part of a national campaign to bring this vital bill to a vote. And to bring the Great Lakes the protection they deserve.
Environment Michigan 2008 Legislative Agenda
Environment Michigan is launching an ambitious legislative agenda that, if implemented, would turn Michigan once again into an environmental leader among states and help reinvigorate our ailing economy.