Michigan Environment Watch

The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed the Senate Sunday, is the country’s largest-ever investment in addressing climate change. Michigan stands to benefit from money to boost domestic electric vehicle, wind and solar production, as well as prescription drug savings for older Americans.

A don’t touch advisory remains in effect for the section of the river in Oakland and Livingston counties, after a Wixom automotive supplier released thousands of gallons of liquid containing the toxic metal.

State regulators say testing is ongoing and caution residents to still avoid stretches of the upper river. One official calls tests so far ‘encouraging.’

While state regulators await test results to determine how far the hexavalent chromium-tainted water has spread, Huron River advocates are calling for stiff penalties against a company with a history of polluting the river.

Residents in parts of two Michigan counties are told to avoid “all contact” with Huron River water due to “several thousand gallons” of liquid containing a carcinogen from Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom, the plant behind a previous spill involving PFAS.

Activists want federal military and environmental regulators to better regulate cancer-causing PFAS chemicals, including at military sites such as Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, where the military has been accused of foot dragging.

Scientists say the lake is being fouled by faulty septics. But a plan to install sewers has reopened old wounds between owners of expensive lakefront homes and back-lot property owners.

As Michigan winters warm, more geese are becoming full-time residents, rather than migrating further south. That’s convenient for the geese, but a plague on the park, golf course and beach visitors trying to evade their droppings. Solutions are limited.

Information used to map the Great Lakes lakebottom is so sparse in some areas, you could hide entire cities in the space between data points. By methodically “mowing the lawn” with sonar-equipped boats, researchers are filling in the gaps.

Detroit has reassured neighbors that they will include community voices in the next steps, but advocates and residents cite a lack of public. engagement

Recreational and charter fishing groups filed a request Wednesday seeking a seat at the table as Michigan regulators negotiate with five tribes over fishing rights.

One course hadn’t been touched in 12 years. The other had been under human hands until the course closed. Now, both will be land preserves.

Isle Royale’s historic cabins were sold to the U.S. government generations ago, but a series of deals allowed family descendants to continue to use them. Now, the park service is debating which cabins to keep, and whether to open them to the public.

There are plenty of northern pike in 10 popular lakes. Problem is, they don’t grow big enough reach the state’s catch limit and plague other species.

The latest round of city water samples shows a slight dip in average lead levels, and efforts to remove lead pipes from the city water system are running ahead-of-schedule.

The Michigan Public Service Commission voted to collect more evidence on safety and explosion risks before deciding whether to grant the Canadian energy company a key permit to begin the tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac.

Residents have until August 4 to comment on the draft proposal for how the state will manage wolves. Hunts have been controversial downstate, while most wolves are in the Upper Peninsula.

The office will connect urban farmers in Detroit with USDA programs ranging from conservation to loans and emergency relief.

Beech leaf disease was recently detected in St. Clair County, which can kill the trees in roughly six to ten years. There is currently no known treatment for it. State officials warn against transporting wood from the trees.

From kayak launches to track chairs to hunting blinds, the disabled are gaining more access to Pure Michigan.