News

Don’t Do It in the River

Photo: A lack of septic regulations can lead to waste in our treasured waters. You wouldn’t “do it in the river,” would you? Michigan prides itself on being an environmental leader, particularly in curbing water pollution. But in one area of water policy, Michigan is dead last among the 50 states. It is the only… Read more »

Solving Michigan’s Groundwater Crisis to Protect Drinking Water, the Economy, and the Great Lakes

For over three years, FLOW has analyzed and reported on one of the biggest gaps in Michigan’s environmental protection safety net—groundwater protection. Now, during National Groundwater Awareness Week 2021, we are reaffirming and expanding upon our call for stronger state groundwater protection policies and actions. We’re also releasing our new report, “Deep Threats to Our Sixth Great Lake.”

Groundwater, though Invisible, Is Critical for Our Survival

What’s the natural resource that is critical to the survival of billions of human beings but invisible to the vast majority of them? The answer is groundwater, both in Michigan and globally. Out of sight but not detached from our economy and health, groundwater plays a critical role in Michigan communities, supplying 45 percent of Michigan’s population with drinking water. Yet groundwater is a neglected and much-abused part of our state’s natural endowment. This year, groundwater will be in the spotlight on the annual World Water Day, March 22.

Courtroom Showdown Coming Friday over Line 5 Shutdown

Streaming live online this Friday morning, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and members of her staff—attorneys Peter Manning, Bob Reichel, and Dan Bock, steeped in water and natural resources law—will make historic arguments that will lead to a shutdown of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac to protect the public trust of all of Michigan’s citizens, now and in the future, in Attorney General Dana Nessel On Behalf of the People of Michigan v. Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, et al., before Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James S. Jamo.

Minimizing Risk

Ken Winter October 3, 2014 COLUMNS Ken Winter Minimizing Risk October 3, 2014 MACKINAC ISLAND–Some 75 braved harsh rains earlier this month to gather at the Island’s Community Center to learn the hard realities should nearby Enbridge’s aging oil and gas Pipeline #5 break in the Great Lakes, especially near the Mackinac Bridge. The troubling… Read more »

Hawaii River Restorations Reflect National Desire to Protect Water for Public Benefit

  Hawaii River Restorations Reflect National Desire to Protect Water for Public Benefit TUESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2014 16:25 Using public trust doctrine, communities restore streams diverted for more than 100 years. Photo courtesy Jan Arendtsz via Flickr Creative Commons Water restored to natural rivers will help support fields of Hawaii’s traditional and culturally important taro… Read more »