THE SITUATION

Our state is defined by water. We are surrounded by one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, and we have 11,000 lakes and 5.5 million acres of wetlands. We grew up swimming in lakes, fishing in rivers, and exploring neighborhood streams. Our families picnic at the beach, canoe inland lakes, and slide down sand dunes.

And for decades, Michigan has not shown leadership to protect all of that.

Our water is being threatened by neglectful state policies, unchecked air and water pollution, destruction of wetlands, and large-scale exports.

To protect our water, we need to restore the Great Lakes to greatness, keep sewage out of Michigan’s waterways, and protect Michigan’s water as a public resource.

SOLUTIONS ACHIEVED

Five New Water Conservation Laws Passed
In 2006, MEC worked with one of the broadest and most effective environmental coalitions in modern times to achieve a major breakthrough in Lansing: Passage of the first meaningful water conservation laws in Michigan’s 169-year history. Signed into law by Gov. Granholm in March, the five new laws:

• Guard streams from the harm caused by large-scale withdrawals,
• Require the development of water conservation practices by major industries, and
• Strengthen our defense against Great Lakes water diversions and exports.

Beginning the battle as the only Great Lakes state without a credible water conservation law, Michigan now has the potential to develop one of the most advanced water protection systems on the continent.

Algae Pollution Initiative Started
MEC also took the lead in calling for a solution to worsening algae pollution in 2006.
After hearing from lakeshore citizens about the disgusting buildup of thick mats of algae along the shore, MEC conducted research, talked to scientists, identified solutions, and in June issued a report that won national media attention.

“Factory Farm” Support Blocked
MEC helped stop a bad package of bills that could have weakened already lax regulations on Confined Animal Feeding Operations.

POLICY GOALS

Great Lakes Compact Ratification
Michigan will attempt to ratify its piece of an eight-state Great Lakes compact that could put in place for the first time a common set of standards to conserve Great Lakes water and protect streams and lakes from harmful withdrawals or exports.

Algae Legislation Push
2007 will see an aggressive push in the legislature and in communities across the state to take steps to reduce the pollutants that create the intolerable algae mess and boost research efforts into the invasive zebra mussel problem that may be key to the algae outbreak.

Septic System Management Education
One of MEC’s ongoing efforts is to educate homeowners with septic systems – which release an estimated 26 million gallons of wastewater per day due to operational problems – about resources to help them identify and repair or replace damaged systems.