Drilling Our Conservation Heritage: The Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on Michigan’s Public Lands 5/22/2008

From the western dunes to the northern forests, Michigan’s natural landscapes provide us with unique beauty, recreation, and ecological value. Unfortunately, oil and gas drilling poses an increasing threat to these treasured lands. Leaks from drilling sites can leave soil and groundwater contaminated with hazardous waste, and new pipelines and roads for drilling sites can disrupt the places Michigan’s wildlife call home. Already, hundreds of thousands of acres of state land are open to drilling and as oil and gas prices reach new heights, industry lobbyists are pressing Lansing decision-makers to open tens of thousands of new acres to exploration and production every year.

When it Rains, It Pours 12/04/2007

Scientists expect that global warming will cause a variety of changes to precipitation patterns in the United States. Many areas will receive increased amounts of rain and snow over the course of a year; some areas will receive less. But scientists expect that, all across the coun­try, the rainstorms and snowstorms that do occur will be more intense – increasing the risk of flooding and other impacts.