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Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Articles
Two heirs bought Midland dams as a tax shelter. Tragedy followed.
Heirs to the fortune of the Boy Scouts founder — an architect and a bagpiper — purchased the Edenville Dam as an investment to avoid taxes, records show. For 14 years, the family trust clashed with government officials on taxes, regulations, fishing and other issues. Then came the rains.
See Dow Chemical ponds, dioxin cleanup site after Michigan flooding
Aerial views of flood waters in and around Midland underscore the environmental challenges facing the region following dam breaks and historic flooding this week.
As Midland flooding recedes, a flood of class-action lawsuits begins
At least two cases have been filed in federal court seeking to hold the owners of two mid-Michigan dams responsible for catastrophic flooding this week.
Dana Nessel and Enbridge argue Line 5 pipeline shutdown to Michigan judge
In arguments to an Ingham County judge, lawyers for the attorney general say the pipeline easement below the Straits of Mackinac should never have been granted. Enbridge says the question was settled decades ago by the Legislature.
Michigan GOP calls for Nessel to step down from investigation into dam failure
Republicans say Michigan’s attorney general has a conflict of interest because she recently sued the owner of a failed dam over illegally drawing down water from Wixom Lake in 2018 and 2019, killing mussels.
Michigan regulators moved fast on dangerous dam. To protect mussels.
In court papers, the owners of a dam that failed this week near Midland acknowledged it was considered unsafe for decades. But Michigan’s only action against the dam was a suit contending it lowered water and killed freshwater mussels.
Midland flooding highlights Michigan’s aging stockpile of neglected dams
The state’s 2,581 dams, many aging and in need of repair, get little attention from legislators, but their maintenance and costs raise concerns, particularly as water levels rise in Michigan.
As floodwaters bear down on Dow Chemical, worries about water toxins
Dow Chemical evacuates its Midland headquarters as dam breaches bring flooding to the complex’s containment ponds.
Feds revoked dam’s license over safety issues. Then Michigan deemed it safe.
For a decade, safety regulators demanded improvements to a 95-year-old dam that failed this week. The repairs never came, and Michigan regulators deemed the dam in “fair condition.” One critic calls it a “catastrophic failure both of the dam and of our government at all levels.”
Michigan steps up to help residents evacuated by dam break
Hundreds are rushing to help those in Midland County evacuated by breaches of the Edenville and Sanford dams. “There are sources of inspiration,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday of volunteer efforts.
Watch videos, see tweets of flood damage from Edenville Dam failure
The failure of the Edenville Dam has forced the evacuation of 10,000 residents in mid-Michigan, some of whom are sharing their experiences on social media.
Mid-Michigan dam that failed was cited for years for safety violations
The Edenville dam that catastrophically failed and prompted thousands of evacuations was cited repeatedly by federal authorities, who allege its owners had a “long history of noncompliance.”
As Great Lakes rise, less sand for Michigan beachgoers during coronavirus
Record-breaking Great Lakes water levels already wreak havoc on Michigan’s coastline. Now, they’re creating a new problem: How to maintain social distance at beaches reduced to a sliver of sand?
Poop sleuths: MSU studies Detroit wastewater for next coronavirus outbreak
By analyzing the prevalence of COVID-19 in Detroit’s sewage, researchers hope to create an early warning system capable of detecting new outbreaks before patients start showing up at area hospitals.
Michigan to Enbridge: Line 5 tunnel permit application is incomplete
In a letter to the Canadian oil company, state officials said Enbridge must fix omissions in its application to build the Line 5 tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac before they can review the application.
Enbridge moves forward with Line 5 tunnel despite coronavirus lockdown
The energy giant has submitted a flurry of permit applications in its bid to replace the aging Line 5 oil and gas pipeline, sparking concerns from opponents who argue regulators should delay decisions until the coronavirus emergency ends.
Michigan safety regulators launch probe of TB outbreak at state DNR lab
MiOSHA inspectors are reviewing whether faulty masks or other safety hazards were present at the wildlife lab, where five workers contracted bovine tuberculosis. The review was spurred by Bridge reporting on the outbreak.
Coronavirus shutdown not yet helping air in Michigan’s most toxic ZIP code
In heavily industrialized southwest Detroit, the governor’s stay-at-home order has not yet meant measurable improvement in air quality.
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.