MEC Capitol
Update
February 13, 2002
State Senate Overwhelmingly
Approves Ban on Directional Drilling
Supporters hope
it is a sign of greater emphasis on Great Lakes protection
Today,
the State Senate approved a ban on directional drilling below
the Great Lakes on a vote of 28-5. This action is in response
to an outcry from residents across the state to protect our
fragile shoreline areas. The bill returns to the House of
Representatives where a slightly different version passed
on a vote of 98-7. Quick concurrence by the House is expected.
These votes are the first time in over a decade that overwhelming
majorities of both houses have supported controversial natural
resources protection legislation.
“The
current administration has for too long neglected the issue
of long-term protection of the Great Lakes and our water resources,”
stated Cyndi Roper, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action.
“This is the first sign that the legislature wants to
reverse that trend..” Groups are encouraged by the recent
release of the Michigan Senate Great Lakes Conservation Task
Force report detailing 66 recommendations for further action.
A coalition
including Lake Michigan Federation, Clean Water Action, Michigan
Land Use Institute, PIRGIM, West Michigan Environmental Action
Council, and countless other groups and individuals has been
working to achieve this victory. They are looking at issues,
such as sewage overflows, sand dune protection and water withdrawal
legislation as possible next steps for the legislature to
address.
Environmental
and public health organizations are also trying to educate
the public that they can’t have it both ways. “If
we want sensitive natural resources off limits to development,
we also have to reduce our use of fossil fuels,” stated
James Clift, Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental
Council. “Many Michigan residents and businesses are
demonstrating that conservation commitment by making their
homes more energy efficient, using alternative fuels, and
buying gasoline/hybrid vehicles.
Submitted by:
James Clift
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539
jamesmec@voyager.net
