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Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Articles
Five Michigan DNR workers contracted tuberculosis, likely from testing deer
Deer-to-human transmission of TB is an exceedingly rare, Michigan-centric phenomenon. Department of Natural Resources officials said they saw no reason to publicly announce the cases.
As Michigan battle rages on Line 5, Enbridge quietly buys land for tunnel
Enbridge Energy is spending millions for residential properties near Mackinaw City, apparently confident of winning lawsuits contesting a planned tunnel. Local residents say they welcome the revenue for schools and roads.
Michigan adopts new PFAS standards over industry, farmer objections
Environmentalists cheer as Michigan approves limits for the forever chemicals that are much stricter than federal advisory levels. But some question whether there was a rush to make the rules.
Michiganders accept climate change but say others more likely to suffer
Yale polling data find most Michigan residents believe in climate change, are worried about it, and think it’ll harm people in the United States. But they also believe they won’t be impacted personally.
Rockford residents skeptical of Michigan PFAS deal with Wolverine World Wide
A proposed $69.5 million settlement with the state raised questions among residents over the company’s future obligations to monitor health and listen to public concerns.
Wary of water safety, Michigan residents want stronger regulation
Polling by The Center for Michigan of more than 3,100 residents shows broad support for increased regulations to protect waterways and heightened anxieties about their safety.
What Democratic presidential candidates’ plans mean for Michigan environment
Democratic presidential candidates’ plans for water quality, climate change and other environmental issues could have major effects on Michigan.
Dems have big PFAS plans, fewer for Great Lakes, as Michigan primary nears
Democratic presidential candidates are rolling out plans to fight PFAS, improve water quality and fight climate change. There’s less talk about the Great Lakes before the March 10 primary, which some call a glaring omission.
How Trump clean water rule impacts Michigan’s wetlands and streams
Michigan farmers and business groups endorse the clarity they say the Trump rule brings to commercial practices. Environmentalists warn that wetlands would vanish and pollutants increase in the state’s lakes and streams.
Loving this mild Michigan winter? Outdoor enthusiasts sure aren’t.
Michigan’s tepid winter is stressing ski hills, snowmobile clubs, sporting good stores and restaurants alike. Get used to it. This could be the new normal with climate change, experts say.
How much brook trout is enough? Michigan keeps changing catch limits.
State regulators have changed daily catch limits for Michigan’s state fish four times since 2017 as they try to balance conservation concerns against the frustration of many Upper Peninsula anglers.
Michigan environmental roundup: Lawmakers tackle moose hunts, water shutoffs
The latest can’t-miss journalism about natural resources in Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Enbridge wins another round over Dana Nessel in Michigan Line 5 tunnel fight
The Court of Appeals decision this week means Enbridge can move forward for now with next steps on the project, including permit requests needed for tunnel construction
Michigan’s ‘green ooze’ may be ‘tip of iceberg’ of state’s toxic sites
Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday grilled environmental regulators over their response to a “green ooze” disaster in Madison Heights. There are many other crises yet to come, lawmakers warned.
Michigan county threatens to bulldoze Amish homes in poop dispute
An Amish community, with help from the ACLU, argues that Lenawee County is violating its religious freedom by demanding it stop using outhouses and spreading human waste in fields. Local residents are backing the Amish.
Green ooze on Michigan freeway prompts calls for tougher polluter pay laws
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cites an environmental disaster in Oakland County to renew a push for “polluter pays” legislation that would require owners to clean – rather than contain – environmental contaminants used or produced on their property.
Three Michigan Superfund sites among backlog of unfunded polluted sites
Projects in mid-Michigan, northern Michigan and Macomb County remain at a standstill without the money to get started.
How to weigh in on Michigan’s proposed limits on PFAS in drinking water
The state has proposed maximum contaminant limits for seven PFAS compounds in Michigan drinking water. Here’s what they are, and how you can weigh in on the limits.
A look back at our most impactful Michigan environmental coverage of 2019
Upper Peninsula wolves, surging Great Lakes, and examining the impact of the 1973 mass poisoning in St. Louis, Michigan. As 2019 winds down, take a look back at Bridge's most impactful environmental stories of the year.
As surging Great Lakes threaten Michigan, homeowners beg Canada for help
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer weighs an emergency declaration for towns besieged by rising waters, a movement is growing to ask Canada to stop dumping millions of gallons of water per day into the Great Lakes through dams in northern Ontario.