Michigan Environmental Council

Michigan
Environmental Report

Volume 23 . Number 5
October 2005

PURPOSE
Founded in 1980, MEC is a coalition of 71 environmental, public health, and faith-based organizations with nearly 200,000 individual members. For 25 years, MEC has provided a voice at the State Capitol. In addition to serving as a clearinghouse of environmental information, MEC develops public policy, educates elected officials and the public, and provides training and support to member organizations.

SUBSCRIBE

OFFICERS

Chairperson
Chris Graham,
Michigan Natural Areas Council

Vice Chair
Vicki Levengood,
National Environmental Trust

Vice Chair
Terry Miller,
Lone Tree Council

Treasurer
Tom Leonard,
West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Secretary
Jeremy Emmi,
Michigan Nature Association

MEC STAFF

President
Lana Pollack

Policy Director
James Clift

Associate Director
Patrick Diehl

Land Programs Director
Brad Garmon

Land Programs Specialist
Ben Stupka

Development Director
Andy Draheim

Development Specialist
Brianna Gerard

Member Services Director
Michele Scarborough

Policy Specialist
David Gard

Asst. Energy Policy Specialist
Dusty Myers

Campaign Coordinator
Roshani Deraniyagle-Dantas

Deputy Policy Director
Kate Madigan

Development Specialist
Brianna Gerard

Policy Specialist
Kerry Duggan

Outreach Specialist
Elizabeth Fedorchuk

Health Policy Specialist
Tess Karwoski

MER Design & Layout
Rose Homa

MEC sponsors coastal protection meetings

To identify solutions to growing threats to Michigan's shoreline communities and water resources, MEC is working with community-based organizations across the state. As part of the program, five local groups will work to engage their members and constituents identifying the top coastal land use issues and needs in their communities. The groups will then host public forums to solicit recommendations to strengthen coastal policies.

"Michigan has the largest freshwater coastline of any state in the nation-40 of the state's 83 counties share a part of that coastline," said MEC Land Programs Director Brad Garmon. "The state's coastal areas are an increasingly attractive place to live. Because of this, they are threatened by sprawling development patterns, which can fragment sensitive coastal habitats and impede public access to the lakes."

Initial findings suggest that local regulations are not routinely used to protect coastal resources, and at the state level, there is no comprehensive conservation policy for the extensive coastline. The programs will examine a range of issues, including local land use planning, stormwater management, large lot zoning, sand dune mining, overdevelopment and infrastructure concerns.

The forums will be held throughout the fall: October 17 in Muskegon, October 18 in Petoskey, October 25 in Monroe, and October 26 in Grosse Pointe. Hosting groups include the Muskegon County Environmental Coordinating Council, Timberland Resource Conservation & Development Area Council, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, River Raisin Institute and Clean Water Action.

For more information, contact MEC Land Programs Director Brad Garmon at (517) 487-9539.

Coastal Land Use
Forum Schedule

Muskegon forum
October 17, 7:00 p.m.
Blue & Gold Room
Muskegon Community College

Petoskey forum
October 18, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Inn at Bay Harbor, Petoskey;
cost for dinner and forum is $25

Monroe forum
October 25, 6:30 p.m.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse

Lake St. Clair forum
October 26, 6:30 p.m.
Grosse Pointe War Memorial Reception Room

Manistee forum
TBA