Reports & Media Releases

FLOW Marks First Two Protective Ordinance Packages

Click here to view and download the full press release PDF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org FLOW Marks First Two Protective Ordinance Packages: Addresses Fracking Impacts for Two Michigan Townships TRAVERSE CITY, MI — In late November, FLOW—the Great Lakes Basin’s only public trust policy and education… Read more »

Fracking creating major water consumption issues near Kalkaska

Click here to view the press release as a PDF Fracking creating major water consumption issues near Kalkaska Unable to get 8.4 million gallons of water at site, Encana forced to buy water from Kalkaska, Mancelona city systems For Immediate Release June 4, 2013 Kalkaska, Michigan Concerns about the impact to local groundwater by massive… Read more »

FLOW Featured on UpNorth TV’s Volunteer Northwest Michigan Program in July

Click here to view and download the full press release PDF PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2013 Flow Featured on UpNorth TV’s Volunteer Northwest Michigan Program in July TRAVERSE CITY, MI – FLOW, the Great Lakes Basin’s only public trust policy and education center, will be featured on UpNorth TV, channel 2, throughout… Read more »

Policy Brief: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan

Policy Brief: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan (Download PDF) Michigan is located at the heart of the most extensive fresh surface water system in North America, which comprises about 90% of all fresh surface water in the region. However, it is the only state in the US that does not have… Read more »

A Watershed Moment: The Great Lakes Compact After 15 Years

On April 16, 2024, FLOW released its report, A Watershed Moment: The Great Lakes Compact After 15 Years. The report offers a history of the agreement, analysis of its achievements and gaps, and recommendations to strengthen its protections. Download the Report (PDF) On December 8, 2008, after 10 years of talks and negotiations among the… Read more »

Policy Brief: Polluter Accountability in Michigan

Download the policy brief: Polluter Accountability (PDF) The repeal of the Polluter Pay law has cost Michigan taxpayers over $1.5 billion over the past 25 years1. Polluters have walked away from more than 3,000 contaminated sites with groundwater and soil too polluted to use, leaving taxpayers on the hook for billions more. The rollback has… Read more »

Green Infrastructure: Smart solutions for stormwater runoff

Download the brief: Stormwater Utilities (pdf) Over the past few decades, Michigan has faced an increase in unpredictable storm events. Unfortunately, our existing stormwater infrastructure is not built to handle the frequency and intensity of these storms, creating problems with water runoff and flooding.  This, in turn, has led to problems such as water pollution,… Read more »

FLOW Appeals MPSC Decision Approving the Line 5 Tunnel

Download FLOW Appellate Brief  (PDF) Traverse City, Mich.— On April 11, 2024, FLOW filed a brief before the Michigan Court of Appeals aimed at reversing the Michigan Public Services Commission’s (MPSC) approval of the proposed Line 5 tunnel project. Enbridge’s proposed tunnel received a green light from the MPSC on December 1, 2023. FLOW is… Read more »

FLOW Applauds EPA for First-Ever, National Enforceable Drinking Water Standards for PFAs

On April 10, the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA issued the first-ever nationally enforceable drinking water standards to protect communities from cancer-causing toxic PFAS pollutants, also known as “forever chemicals.” FLOW applauds this important federal coordinated action designed to tackle PFA contamination, prioritize public health, and advance environmental justice in communities nationwide. Michigan has much at… Read more »

Court upholds permit denial for private boat basin and channel on Long Lake

Citizen action and public engagement safeguards Michigan waters Most everyone familiar with the beauty and majesty of Long Lake regard it as an exceptional example of the stunning natural features that are so abundant in Northwest Lower Michigan. The largest lake in Grand Traverse County and the headwaters of the Platte River, Long Lake harbors… Read more »