Insider Intelligence

Last Friday the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes released the third part of the State's Water Strategy.  The plan is aimed at protecting and the wise use of the state’s water resources.  Governor Rick Snyder had previously called upon this Office to develop a thirty-year, eco-systems based plan to protect, manage, and restore the […]

On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder sent a letter to Michigan’s Congressional delegation formally requesting the federal government to full fund reconstruction of portions of the Soo Locks.  Specifically, he requests funding for replacing the Davis and Sabin Locks with a larger, single lock to make waterway traffic and shipping more reliable. In 2015, the United […]

This week Governor Rick Snyder, along with seven other Great Lakes states, voted to allow Waukesha, Wisconsin to draw eight million gallons per day from Lake Michigan.  Currently the city is drawing water from the Lake Michigan Basin for their municipal water supply, treats and diverts the water to the Mississippi River Basin.  Under the […]

This week, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of the Great Lakes published Part 1 of the State Water Strategy.  The strategy will outline a thirty year plan to protect, manage, and enhance Michigan’s water resources.  It focuses on wise use of water to ensure healthy citizens, vibrant communities, sustainable economies, and stewardship of […]

This week, United States Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow sent a letter to the State of Michigan urging the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force to swiftly complete a full and independent risk analysis and alternative assessment of Line 5 following a recent University of Michigan study modeling the disastrous effects of an oil spill […]

On Friday morning, the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee (FWICC) outlined their proposals to reform the federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) for Michigan to follow.  The LCR is a federal regulation aimed at controlling lead and copper in the drinking water and can only be altered nationally via federal action.  The Environmental Protection Agency […]

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program this week announced the launch of its new website, which will provide information about existing and potential species threatening the state’s natural resources.  It includes a catalog containing identifying photos and reporting information.  The website is a collaborative effort between the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, and […]

Following the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling that blocked the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan from moving forward until litigation is complete, the Michigan Agency for Energy has announced that they will suspend their activities to comply with the carbon rule and its timeline for submission until litigation is complete.  However, […]