Bills under consideration in the House aim to expand commercial access to walleye and trout as whitefish catch rates plummet. Recreational fishing advocates and state fishing regulators object.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan plans to reissue Line 5 permit amid federal review, court fight
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy preliminarily approved a water quality permit that will allow Enbridge Energy to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater per day into Lake Michigan during construction of a pipeline tunnel.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan gets $108M in Monsanto settlement to clean up PCB contamination
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a $108 million settlement with Monsanto Co. over long-term PCB contamination in the state, with the funds directed toward cleanup and restoration of affected natural resources.
Posted inEvents, Michigan Environment Watch, The Center for Michigan
Bridge Listens Issues Watch continues with virtual discussion on the environment
Join Bridge reporters on May 27 as they discuss the issues impacting Michigan’s environment and where candidates stand on everything from data centers to invasive species to climate change.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Northern Michigan ice storm debris could mean dangerous fire season
Dry timber buildup from last year’s ice storm has fire officials bracing for a riskier-than-average fire season. But early season impacts are trending below average.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Northern Michigan cleans up after historic floods: ‘I just want to cry’
Throughout northern Michigan, some residents’ homes remain inundated after last month’s historic flooding, while others struggle to find a way to clean up and try to return to normal.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Appeals court issues split ruling in Michigan solar permitting suit
Local governments had sued the state over rules that limit their control over renewable energy permitting. A three-judge panel largely upheld the rules, with some changes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan revives EV charger expansion after fed funding reversal
After a yearlong funding freeze from the Trump administration, Michigan is restarting its electric vehicle charger expansion. Officials hope 60 new stations will ease drivers’ range anxiety, though slowing EV demand still threatens statewide adoption goals.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers may fund last-ditch effort to save whitefish
Lawmakers move to restock the iconic fish that are disappearing from the lower Great Lakes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers ponder dam safety reforms, but ask who will pay
A state House committee on Wednesday considered legislation that would toughen Michigan’s dam safety standards. But one questioned whether the legislation would just be ‘another unfunded mandate.’