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Michigan League Update: Contact Us! Please Become A Member of Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Michigan League Update: Contact Us! Please Become A Member of Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Michigan League of Conservation Voters • 213 W. Liberty, Ste. 300, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 • Phone: 734.222.9650 • Fax: 734.222.9651
Websites: What is the best way to financially support Michigan LCV’s work?
1. Begin by making a contribution to become a member of Michigan LCV.
Michigan Must Take the Lead on
www.MichiganLCV.org
www.MichiganLCVEdFund.org 2. Once you are a member, donate to our Political Action Committee (PAC). Water Withdrawal Regulations
3. PAC contributions are the most useful and flexible funds Michigan LCV can accept Great Lakes, Great Michigan 2007
Blog: because we can use these funds for direct political action.
www.MichiganLCV.org/blog (Because of our political work, all gifts to Michigan LCV are non-tax deductible.) It’s well known, though often understated, that the Great Lakes are one of the
things that make Michigan a wonderful place to live. The majestic coastline of mighty
Address Change? Can Michigan LCV accept funds from a corporation or family foundation? Lake Superior, the incomparable summer sunsets off the shores of Lake Michigan, and
Please help us stay up-to-date Because donations to Michigan LCV support political action, we do not accept the quiet reflection of a walk down any one of the five lakes’ beaches are things that all
by sending any mailing or contributions from corporations except as sponsorship for specific events.
Michigan’s Energy pg. 3 Michiganders can relate to. However, most of us don’t realize that interests outside
e-mail address changes to We encourage foundations to contribute to the Michigan LCV Ed Fund, which is a of Michigan don’t share these values.
Info@MichiganLCV.org. 501c(3) organization which educates voters about critical environmental issues.
When it comes to protecting the Great Lakes from the threat of withdrawals and
diversions, Michigan is the state with the most to lose. Michigan is the only state that
MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF Non-Profit Org. rests entirely within the Great Lakes Basin. That means that all the rain, runoff,
CONSERVATION VOTERS U.S. Postage groundwater, wetlands, creeks and streams in the state eventually end up as water in
213 W. LIBERTY, SUITE 300 PAID one or more of the Great Lakes surrounding our beautiful state. With all of our water
ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 Ann Arbor, MI bound for one of the Lakes, it is critical that Michigan take the lead in ensuring that
Permit No. 423 this incredible resource remain here and not be diverted to other states and countries
that are drying up and in need of fresh water supplies.
Step it Up 2007 pg. 4 In 2005 , all the Governors from the eight Great Lakes states and the Prime
Ministers from Quebec and Ontario met and signed an international agreement
known as the Compact, setting standards for how Great Lakes water diversions will be
managed and regulated. It is now up to the legislatures from these eight states and
both Canadian provinces to pass state/ provincial laws that support the basic
agreement. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is working closely with a
coalition of environmental organizations to ensure that Michigan’s legislature acts
swiftly to pass the Compact agreement, along with implementing legislation to ensure
that Michigan’s water stays in Michigan.
Together these groups have rolled out a six plank legislative platform, which includes:
Green Business pg. 6
1.) Public Trust Extends to All Water. Affirm that all waters of the state are held in the
public trust and cannot be owned by individuals or private entities.
2.) Prevent Adverse Impacts to Michigan’s Water and Wetlands. Create an assessment
tool that clearly defines when a diversion will cause harm to a watershed.
Michigan LCV Budget Crisis a Looming Disaster A Big Thank You to Our Most Recent Donors! Michigan Must
Constance Andersen Marcia Gershenson Mark Mitchell
2007 Board for Michigan’s Natural Resources Margaret Applebee Beverly Ghesquiere Mike and Drew Moore Take the Lead on
Notes from Executive Director Lisa Wozniak Mary Barcella Barbara Gilmore Weber Gordon and Vernie Nethercut
of Directors Jose Barrera Catherine Glorie John and Gwen Nystuen Water Withdrawal
Barbara Bergman Elizabeth and Gil Goodenough Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ogilvie
William and Helen Milliken,
Honorary Co-Chairs
The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (LCV)
worked throughout the fall of 2006 to ensure that Michigan
Joanie Binkow Virginia Griffith Joan and William Olsen Regulations
Bill Bobier Marion Grout William and Shirley Patterson
elected a pro-environment Governor, as well as strong Janis Bobrin Robert and Pamela Guenzel John Pollack Continued from page 1
Shari Pollesch, pro-environment legislators to both the House and Senate. Robert Borak Leah Gunn Simon and Phyllissa Ren
President We celebrated many victories in the last election cycle, and
Jon and Penny Boulton Marilyn Hagen Garrett Rentrop 3.) Meaningful Conservation.
Theresa Brennan Bob Halle Gary and Sue Rentrop Develop meaningful
we believed that the results of our work would be clearly Mary and Donald Brown Nancy and Tim Hammond John and Kerry Richter
Irene Cahill, visible in the 2007 legislative session. Bunyan and Jean Bryant James and Susan Hopson Joseph and Dorothy Rink conservation standards,
Vice President Jonathan and Gertrude Bulkley Loren and Lyn Houtman Richard and Jan Robb which set a high bar to ensure
Yet four months into 2007, there remains significant Barbara Burns Holly Jennings Kenneth Rosenman ecosystems are protected for
Thomas Butts Timothy Killeen Dorothy Schobel future generations.
Mike Newman, reason for concern over the state’s budget crisis and its John and Irene Cahill William and Marietta Kusey James Schwantes
Secretary impact on our natural resources. Decision-makers in John and Patricia Carver Dixie and William Lahti Mary Sherzer 4.) Licensing and Permitting.
Lansing have been dragging their feet in solving this critical Fred Charbonneau Paula Leinbach Nancy Shiffler Reaffirm the public ownership
Robert Matthews, problem, a problem that not only impacts our children’s Ralph and Joyce Cobb Richard and Carol Leyshock Gerald Solanics
Patrick Conlin Walter and Mary Ligon Fred and Deb Steketee of waters of the state by
Treasurer education and essential services, but leaves Michigan’s land, Theda Connell Glenn and Patricia Lottie David and Alison Swan requiring permits for any
Lisa Wozniak with son Ben air, and water resources at risk. Catherine Curran Carol Lund Keith Taylor commercial water packaging
John Austin Ted and Marcia Curran Dan and Janet Luria William Thomas facility that is not a public
Few Michiganders realize that if Michigan’s budget problems are not fixed Dan DelZoppo Barry Matthews Steven Thompson
water supply.
Edna DelZoppo Jennifer Matthews Bruce Wallace
Kerry Duggan soon, our state’s natural resources will essentially be left unprotected and
Stanley and Elizabeth Dole Robert Matthews John and Sarah Weiss 5.) Community Involvement.
unmonitored, vulnerable and ultimately damaged. Evan and Nell Dority Jim Maturen Jamie Weitzel
William Farr Joan Dutton Robert and Jane McElroy George Wickstrom Elevate community
Budget cuts to programs that protect Michigan’s land, air and water could result in: William and Kay Farr Fred McLane Diane Wilbur involvement and public
Elizabeth Goodenough Nelson and Barbara Fuller Rudolph Milasich Larry Willey participation in water use
* Unanswered citizens’ pollution complaints. Companies could illegally discharge Pamela Fulton G. Miller Will and Joan Wolfe decisions by allowing local
pollutants to the air or water with impunity. Manure discharges from factory farms Robert and Elizabeth Garner John Mitchell Karl Zollner
Tony Infante governmental and citizen
would not be monitored. Budget Crisis a Looming Disaster for Michigan... action.
Dr. Daniel Luria *Reduced or eliminated beach monitoring. Beaches would be more vulnerable to Continued from page 2 6.) Investment in Michigan’s
bacterial pollution that puts children at risk, and monitoring programs that might alert Waters through Restoration
Call me crazy, but without necessary protections of Michigan’s natural resources,
Christine Manninen the public to risks would be curtailed. Initiatives. Require all waters of
how will we have a beautiful and bountiful state left to promote? How can we expect
*Eliminated air quality monitoring of factories. folks to want to visit our state, if we don’t protect the attractions they exclusively want the state used by permit
Lana Pollack holders to be returned to the
to see? If our decision-makers in Lansing really want to welcome visitors to “Pure
*Eliminated air quality permits for businesses. Many manufacturers need the permits Michigan”, a place where folks can find “hundreds of crystal clear lakes and thousands watershed from which it was
G. Hans Rentrop to operate, and without them construction of new facilities and expansions of existing taken.
of rivers and streams….the world’s longest freshwater coastline….boating, fishing,
plants would be impossible. golfing, camping, biking, hiking and touring….”2 then they must step up and ensure
Chris Yates These measures, if adopted
that vital protections of these resources are firmly in place. by the Michigan Legislature
The majority of Michiganders assume that approximately 10% of the state’s
John Carver, budget is spent protecting our water, air, parks, etc. Wrong! Over the past 15 years, The state’s own DNR analysts calculate that for every $1 in state budget and fee and signed by the Governor,
Director Emeritus funding for environmental protection has been cut to the bone. Funding for the support to their agency, $116 in revenue is generated by outdoor sports enthusiasts, will not only protect
Departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture combined nature lovers and tourists to Michigan’s natural attractions. Investment in our air, water Michigan’s water
Michael D. Moore, account for less than 1.8 percent of the state’s budget (compared to corrections at and land makes sense for quality of life reasons and makes good economic sense for from the threat of
Director Emeritus 20%, health care at 32%, and higher education at 21%)1. Michigan! withdrawals and
diversions, but will
Fast, dramatic and substantive action is needed NOW to safeguard our also show our
Joan Wolfe, Yet, somehow, in the midst of this budget crisis our Lansing decision-makers and
natural resources and public health in the face of Michigan’s continuing budget crisis. neighboring states
Director Emeritus the state tourism office believe that they can again sacrifice Michigan’s natural
Michigan LCV is working hard to let legislators know that We expect our leaders to be that we are serious
treasures to the funding chopping block, while at the same time promoting our state’s
thinking, planning and acting with Michigan’s long-term future in mind. We invite you about protecting
beauty and bounty as one of the top five vacation destinations in the country.
to carry this message to your representatives, as well. all the water of the
Please see article continuation on Page 7. 1
Recent research conducted by Heart of the Lakes. Great Lakes.
2
Check out http://www.michigan.org/travel
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WARNING: water supply and provide drinking water to over Write to your State Representative, State Senator, and Governor Granholm Pam@MichiganLCV.org
30 million people. Yet each day, our Lakes are dam- today. Tell them that you support laws that mandate that 20% of Michigan’s Energy
aged economically and ecologically by untreated comes from renewable resources by the year 2020 and that Michigan needs to Jim Carey
NO MORE SWIMMING sewage, industrial pollutants and invasive species.
Unless we invest in a solution today, the price we
increase energy efficiency 1% a year in order to save money and protect the
environment.
Financial Systems Analyst
Jimcee66@yahoo.com
NO MORE FISHING will pay tomorrow will be much higher and future
generations may never experience the Lakes as we Nell Dority
NO MORE DRINKING WATER know them. Fortunately there is a solution—you.
For tips on writing to your state lawmakers, go to www.MichiganLCVEdFund.org,
and click on the Voter Resources link. Finance Director
NO MORE
You can sign a petition to urge Congress to pass
Nell@MichiganLCV.org
the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act,
a comprehensive regional plan that dedicates fund- Your voice can make the difference in creating a
Sarah Neville
GREAT LAKES
ing to protect our drinking water, economic future more energy efficient and independent Michigan!
and way of life. Log on to www.healthylakes.org to
Special Projects Assistant
let your voice be heard. Sarah@MichiganLCV.org
Elizabeth Palazzola
Special Projects Assistant
Elizabeth@MichiganLCV.org
Lisa Wozniak
EnTEr ThE GrEAT LAkEs PhoTo & sTorY ConTEsT Executive Director
AT www.healthylakes.org To wIn PrIzEs. Lisa@MichiganLCV.org
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