On Earth Day, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a $290 million expansion of the MI Clean Water Plan with proceeds from the bipartisan, voter-approved 2002 Great Lakes Water Quality Protection Bond. The funds will expand state low-interest loans to local governments for drinking water and water… Read more »
In the state of Virginia, public water shutoffs for nonpayment of water bills are now prohibited during below-freezing or scorching temperatures and during public health crises, such as the COVID pandemic. Imagine if, here in Michigan, we take the four steps to finally pass a new law that addresses the whole problem. Let’s call it… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/protecting-citizen-rights-and-access-to-water/" title="ReadProtecting citizen rights and access to water”>Read more »
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… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/michigan-septic-code-policy-brief/" title="ReadPolicy Brief: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan”>Read more »
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,… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/stormwater-utilities/" title="ReadGreen Infrastructure: Smart solutions for stormwater runoff”>Read more »
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… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/flow-applauds-epa-for-first-ever-national-enforceable-drinking-water-standards-for-pfas/" title="ReadFLOW Applauds EPA for First-Ever, National Enforceable Drinking Water Standards for PFAs”>Read more »
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… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/court-upholds-permit-denial-for-private-boat-basin-and-channel-on-long-lake/" title="ReadCourt upholds permit denial for private boat basin and channel on Long Lake”>Read more »
Does water serve public needs and interests, or should it be a commodity available for private investment, ownership, and management? Those who believe water should remain public are deeply troubled by this question. The investment community is increasingly interested in developing markets in water. In the year 2020, the transition from water as a public… Read more »
With worsening water scarcity in the US and around the world, pressures to share Great Lakes water will grow. The Great Lakes Compact allows water to be diverted outside of the watershed basin for “short-term humanitarian emergencies.” But what does this mean, and who defines it? What are the ethics of sharing water? Is it right, and… Read more »
PDF DOWNLOAD: FLOW Legislative Recommendations for 102nd Legislature As a non-partisan, nonprofit law and policy center, a key component of our mission is to help Michigan’s elected leaders uphold their duties under Article IV, Section 52 of the state constitution, the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, and the public trust doctrine to protect the waters of… excerpt-read-more" href="https://forloveofwater.org/flows-legislative-recommendations-for-michigans-102nd-legislature/" title="ReadFLOW’s Legislative Recommendations for Michigan’s 102nd Legislature”>Read more »
Why is less Great Lakes ice a bad thing? This year’s historically low Great Lakes ice coverage has attracted considerable attention. Less has been said, however, about what reduced ice means for the ecology of the Great Lakes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, effects can be profoundly… Read more »
