Reports and News Releases

Out of sight, out of mind: measures designed to shield public from contamination push costs on future generations Here in Michigan, 45% of the population gets its drinking water from groundwater, including two million who rely on private wells. Groundwater also feeds streams and rivers, and sustains wetlands. It is …Read More »

Traverse City, Mich.—On October 22, FLOW (For Love of Water) and Great Lakes Business Network (GLBN) filed a brief calling on the U.S. Court of Appeals to stop a pipeline company from stripping away Michigan’s power to protect the Great Lakes. Enbridge Energy, which owns the dual Line 5 pipelines, …Read More »

ATSDR Petition for a Public Health Assessment (PHA) due to significant historic, current, and ongoing air, water, and drinking water contaminant exceedances from BASF, Inc., Wyandotte, Michigan ( EPA FACILITY ID: 110000494019, RCRA MID 064197742) — February 29, 2024 On behalf of the undersigned organizations, representing many thousands of Michiganders, …Read More »

Download the report: Institutional Controls for Groundwater Management: Long-Term Costs and Policy Impacts The true economic, ecological, and social costs of relying on land use restrictions to address groundwater and soil contamination instead of active clean up are likely significantly higher than generally estimated. That is a conclusion of a …Read More »

Traverse City, Mich.— On Friday, August 2, 2024 FLOW submitted comprehensive legal and technical comments (PDF) to the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment (“EGLE”), calling on EGLE to deny a groundwater discharge permit for the Fremont Regional Digester owned by Generate Upcycle, a Delaware corporation. The Coalition …Read More »

July 31, 2024: Michigan Supreme Court affirms EGLE’s authority to issue General Permit with stronger conditions for factory farms Traverse City, Mich.— FLOW applauds the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision yesterday, rejecting the Court of Appeals’ dangerously flawed ruling in Michigan Farm Bureau v. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and …Read More »

  Policy Brief: Impacts of Anaerobic Digesters (PDF)   Anaerobic digesters are facilities that decompose organic waste, separating biogas from solids and liquids, called “digestate.” Biogas can be used on-site or processed into purified pipeline-grade biomethane for electricity or transportation. On confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), a biodigester may be …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 …Read More »

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 …Read More »

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 …Read More »

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 …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 …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 …Read More »

Download as PDF Listen to audio recording of the oral arguments Traverse City, Mich.— Today, March 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard oral arguments in Michigan Attorney General Nessel v. Enbridge, the 2019 lawsuit seeking to shut down Line 5 in the open waters of …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 …Read More »

Media Release: January 3, 2024 Download printer-friendly PDF Traverse City, Mich.— For Love of Water (FLOW), a Great Lakes water law and policy center, filed an appeal on December 22, 2023 with the Michigan Court of Appeals to overturn the Michigan Public Service Commission’s December 1 decision to approve the …Read More »

Traverse City, Mich. — FLOW is shocked that the collective efforts of thousands of Michiganders and treaty-protected tribes to protect our waters from the catastrophic risks of Line 5 have been ignored in today’s decision by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to grant authorization for a Line 5 tunnel. …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 …Read More »

On September 25, 2023, FLOW (For Love of Water) filed a motion with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the 2019 state lawsuit Attorney General Dana Nessel v. Enbridge, requesting the federal appeals court to accept an amicus brief, laying out arguments why the case should be remanded back …Read More »

Editor’s note: Members of the media are encouraged to register for the webinar. For more information, contact FLOW Executive Director Liz Kirkwood at Liz@FLOWforWater.org or (231) 944-1568. Register today! FLOW (For Love of Water) will host a webinar—The Case for a Statewide Septic Code: Michigan Must Inspect Septic Systems to …Read More »

Photo: A harmful algae bloom causing a dead zone in Lake Erie primarily due to excess agricultural nutrient pollution. Editor’s note: Members of the media can reach Zach Welcker, FLOW Legal Director, at Zach@flowforwater.org or (231) 944-1568. Lansing, MI – Eleven environmental groups, including FLOW (For Love of Water) late last week filed …Read More »

Editor’s note: The following is a press statement from Zach Welcker, Legal Director of FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City, Michigan, in response to a federal district court’s certification on Tuesday of questions for interlocutory review by the U.S. Court of …Read More »

Editor’s note: Learn more about FLOW’s efforts to shut down Line 5 and stop the proposed oil pipeline tunnel on FLOW’s Line 5 program page and new Line 5 fact sheet. By Zach Welcker, FLOW Legal Director For Love of Water (“FLOW”) submitted legal and technical comments before today’s deadline …Read More »

Editor’s note: The following is a press statement from Zach Welcker, Legal Director of FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based, in response to U.S. District Judge Janet Neff’s 13-page decision today to deny the motion to remand the case to state court in Nessel …Read More »

Editor’s note: This is a FLOW media release issued August 3, 2022. Members of the media can reach open water swimmer Jake Bright at jake@jakebright.com, 347-204-7576; FLOW Executive Director Liz Kirkwood at liz@flowforwater.org, 570-872-4956; and NMLK President Daniel Oginsky at dan@northmanitoulightkeepers.org, 810-360-3768. The event’s fundraising page can be found here …Read More »

Editor’s Note: The following is a statement from Jim Olson, Senior Legal Advisor at FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City. The statement is in response to the decision today by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) at its regular meeting …Read More »

Editor’s note: This is a FLOW media release issued July 6, 2022. Members of the media can reach FLOW Deputy Director Kelly Thayer at Kelly@FLOWforWater.org or 231-944-3119; Oil & Water Don’t Mix Coordinator Sean McBrearty at smcbrearty@cleanwater.org or 616-516-7758; and Whitney Gravelle, president of the Executive Council, Bay Mills Indian …Read More »

Traverse City, Mich.— The following is a press statement from Jim Olson, Senior Legal Advisor at FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City, in response to the United States Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision today in West Virginia v. EPA, which cripples …Read More »

Children play near a coal-fired smokestack in 1972—two years after the federal Clean Air Act was passed. Photo courtesy of Flickr.  Read More »

Photo: FLOW’s Jim Olson (left) and Dave Dempsey. Note: This is a FLOW media release issued June 21, 2022. Members of the media can reach FLOW’s: Jim Olson, Founder & Senior Legal Advisor at Jim@FLOWforWater.org. Dave Dempsey, Senior Policy Advisor, Dave@FLOWforWater.org. Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director, at Liz@FLOWforWater.org or cell (570) 872-4956 or …Read More »

Michigan’s groundwater is a critical part of Michigan’s present and future. Increasing population, a changing climate, and limited public funding for prevention and cleanup of contamination will continue to stress groundwater resources. The report, "Building Consensus: Securing Protection of Michigan’s Groundwater," contains findings about the status of Michigan’s groundwater and …Read More »

Jim Olson, the founder and senior legal advisor of FLOW, has received one of the first Large Lake Champion Awards presented by the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), the organization announced Monday. IAGLR is a scientific organization made up of researchers studying the Laurentian Great Lakes, other large …Read More »

FLOW Executive Director Liz Kirkwood expressed strong support for legislation introduced in Lansing today that would shore up public trust protections for the Great Lakes and groundwater against water-bottling companies thirsting for profits and strengthen safeguards for waterways on state land. “The Great Lakes must never be for sale,” Kirkwood …Read More »

Editor’s Note: FLOW submitted the following comments today to the Michigan Public Service Commission in advance of the MPSC’s March 17, 2022, public meeting regarding Enbridge’s oil tunnel proposed through public bottomlands in the Straits of Mackinac. See the MPSC’s March 17 meeting agenda, and learn about the opportunity to …Read More »

FLOW urges the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority to suspend further consideration of the ill-conceived Line 5 tunnel project until Enbridge seeks and obtains legal authorization to occupy state bottomlands from appropriate state agencies.Read More »

“The statutory deadline for removing this case to federal court passed over two years ago,” said Zach Welcker, Legal Director at FLOW, the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City. “Enbridge is making a frivolous argument that a federal court’s recent jurisdictional ruling in a separate case …Read More »

Editor’s Note: The following is a media release issued by FLOW on November 30, 2021; please contact Executive Director Liz Kirkwood at (570) 872-4956 or Liz@FLOWforWater.org or Legal Director Zach Welcker at (231) 620-7911 or Zach@FLOWforWater.org. “The State of Michigan took a strategic step today in the race to prevent a catastrophic Line …Read More »

Editor’s Note: The following is a media release issued by FLOW on November 16, 2021; please contact Executive Director Liz Kirkwood at (570) 872-4956 or Liz@FLOWforWater.org or Senior Legal Advisor Jim Olson at (231) 499-8831 or Jim@FLOWforWater.org. Judge Neff’s decision today addresses only the narrow, procedural issue of whether a …Read More »

FLOW President Jim Olson made the above statement to the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority during a February 3, 2021, public meeting regarding the Line 5 Easement, Assignment, Tunnel Agreement, and 99-year lease.Read More »

Traverse City, Mich.—FLOW is celebrating our 10th anniversary of keeping the Great Lakes public and protected and kickstarting the next 10 years. Founded in 2011 by Jim Olson and directed since 2012 by Liz Kirkwood, both environmental attorneys, FLOW is a nonprofit law and policy center based in Traverse City …Read More »

The following is a media release issued by FLOW on May 12, 2021. In refusing to shut down Line 5 by the state-ordered deadline today, Enbridge is flatly rejecting the authority of the State of Michigan to regulate and safeguard its own public trust waters and bottomlands —the very same …Read More »

The following is in reaction to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s ruling today regarding the scope of review for permitting required for Enbridge to replace and relocate its decaying Line 5 oil pipelines crossing the Straits of Mackinac with a proposed 18- to 21-foot diameter tunnel housing a single new …Read More »

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Kirkwood, environmental attorney and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City, in reaction to the Whitmer administration’s release today of a five-point propane security plan to aid Michigan residents after …Read More »

By Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director, and Mike Vickery, Board Chair Being in, on, or near water brings us into balance, restores clarity, and grounds us in understanding what matters most. Water is life. These elemental connections to water and nature were profoundly important to all of us in the tumultuous …Read More »

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, …Read More »

Out of sight and therefore out of mind, Michigan’s groundwater faces deep threats, including contamination in thousands of places by everything from failing septic systems to industrial chemicals. A Zoom webinar hosted by FLOW on Wednesday, March 10, from noon to 1 p.m. EST, will provide insight and commentary on …Read More »

Photo by Barbara Brown. Jim Olson, environmental attorney and senior legal advisor to FLOW (For Love of Water), the Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City, reacts to a narrow ruling released today by an administrative law judge on Enbridge’s oil tunnel proposed for the Straits of …Read More »

FLOW President Jim Olson made the following statement to the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority during a February 3, 2021, public meeting regarding the Line 5 Easement, Assignment, Tunnel Agreement, and 99-year lease.Read More »

Liz Kirkwood, environmental attorney and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water), reacts to news today that the State of Michigan has granted environmental permit approval for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 oil tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac: “We are deeply disappointed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great …Read More »

Editor’s note: This is an Oil & Water Don’t Mix (O&WDM) media release. Twelve organizations and Michigan tribal representatives today (Dec. 7, 2020) called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject the Enbridge Line 5 Straits of Mackinac oil tunnel project. If not dismissed now, the Army Corps …Read More »

Today’s announcement by Governor Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Eichinger that the State of Michigan, under the public trust doctrine, is revoking and terminating the 1953 easement allowing Enbridge to operate dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac—due to repeated violations of the easement—represents a clear victory for …Read More »

Source of tunnel graphic: Enbridge’s 2020 application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FLOW on Nov. 6, 2020, filed an appeal with the Michigan Public Service Commission of the October 23 decision by Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Dennis W. Mack granting in part Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership’s motion …Read More »

Citing inadequate legal authorization, an incomplete application, and lack of a comprehensive state review, FLOW and two Straits-area citizen groups called today in formal comments on the State of Michigan to deny pending permits sought by Enbridge to construct and operate a roughly four mile-long tunnel under the Great Lakes. Read More »

Enbridge’s request for federal approval of a Line 5 replacement oil pipeline in a proposed tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac should be rejected to protect the Great Lakes from the continued risk of a catastrophic oil spill and a pipeline that is no longer needed, 10 leading environmental and …Read More »

With the approach of the August 6 memorial service for beloved former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken, FLOW is honored to announce the creation of the Helen and William G. Milliken Fund For Love of Water.Read More »

Photo above: MPSC Chairman Sally A. Talberg, presiding over the Commission hearing today on Enbridge’s proposed oil pipeline tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. The following statement can be attributed to Liz Kirkwood, environmental attorney and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water), a Great Lakes law and policy …Read More »

Gov. Whitmer, State of Michigan Should Put an End to Enbridge’s Damaged and Decaying Oil Pipeline in the Great Lakes to Protect Drinking Water, Economy, and Way of Life The following statement can be attributed to Liz Kirkwood, environmental attorney and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water), a …Read More »

The public is invited to join FLOW and the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation as we co-host a one-hour webinar on Wednesday, June 17, at 1 p.m., providing frontline, scientific, and legal insights into citizen-led efforts to challenge Nestlé, the Swiss-based corporate giant, in its quest to expand its groundwater …Read More »

Photo of the Mackinac Bridge and Straits of Mackinac by Kathryn DePauw. The Michigan Public Service Commission should reject Enbridge’s attempt to dodge the legal review process required to replace and relocate the segment of the Line 5 oil pipeline crossing the Straits of Mackinac into a $500 million proposed …Read More »

The State of Michigan was right this week to suspend consideration of Enbridge’s April 7, 2020, application for construction permits to dig an oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac and place a pipeline in it until the Canadian energy-transport giant corrects deficiencies, including the failure to consider viable alternatives …Read More »

Enbridge Energy’s permit application is out of step with Michigan’s legal process, according to FLOW. The Canadian energy-transport company has not even sought, let alone obtained, authorization from the State of Michigan for the easement and lease required by law to locate a risky, multibillion-dollar oil pipeline tunnel in the …Read More »

Photo by Kathryn DePauw for FLOW. To alleviate the rising threat to the safety and economic security of Upper Peninsula residents, a state energy task force at its April 13 online public meeting should act with urgency to adopt, prioritize, and schedule the implementation of the 14 recommendations in its …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                …Read More »

FLOW has submitted formal comments to the State of Michigan finding deep and fundamental deficiencies in a state-approved groundwater monitoring plan fashioned by water-bottling giant Nestlé.Read More »

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Daniel Eichinger today set a 30-day deadline for Enbridge to submit key information regarding its ongoing violations of the state-granted easement conditionally allowing the Canadian company’s 66-year-old Line 5 oil pipelines to occupy the Straits of Mackinac.Read More »

This article is excerpted from the final of four policy briefs by former FLOW board chair, and former director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Skip Pruss, that make the economic case for government’s role in protecting the environment. The fourth policy brief, “Resetting Expectations: Accounting …Read More »

FLOW today called on the State of Michigan to increase and strictly enforce the requirement for comprehensive oil spill insurance and terminate the 1953 easement that conditionally allows Line 5 to occupy the Straits of Mackinac, triggering the orderly shut down of the dual oil pipelines as soon as practicable …Read More »

This article is excerpted from the third of four policy briefs by former FLOW board chair, and former director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Skip Pruss, that make the economic case for government’s role in protecting the environment.Read More »

FLOW (For Love of Water) is excited to announce that Diane Dupuis started earlier this month as our new Development Director. Diane works to connect FLOW with resources that can help fuel our work of safeguarding the Great Lakes for all.Read More »

FLOW and several community partners will host the Michigan Septic Summit on Wednesday, November 6, at the Hagerty Conference Center in Traverse City. The public event aims to protect fresh water and public health from uncontrolled septic pollution. The one-day conference runs from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and costs $25 …Read More »

This is the second of four reports by former FLOW board chair, and former director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Skip Pruss that make the economic case for government’s role in protecting the environment. FLOW will unveil the last two reports in the coming months.Read More »

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has appointed Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director of FLOW, to a three-year term on the Great Lakes Water Quality Board. Kirkwood will fill a seat set aside for nonprofit environmental organizations.Read More »

Why Good Regulations are Good for our Great Lakes This is the first of four reports by former FLOW board chair, and former director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Skip Pruss that make the economic case for government’s role in protecting the environment. FLOW will …Read More »

Mike Vickery recently became Chair of the Board of Directors at FLOW (For Love of Water), the nonprofit Great Lakes law and policy center based in Traverse City. Vickery is an advisor on strategic environmental communication, community engagement, and organizational capacity building. He is an Emeritus professor of Communication, Public …Read More »

“Let’s be clear: the ‘Line 5’ oil spill threat to Great Lakes won’t be solved by emergency anchor rules that Gov. Whitmer called for today," said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of FLOW. "The real solution to the threat of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac is to shut it down now."Read More »

May 2, 2019 Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                                  Email:Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For LoveofWater), Traverse City, MI                            …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                              April 17, 2019 Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                                 Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org Office: (231) 944-1568      …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                      March 28, 2019 Liz Kirkwood, FLOW Executive Director                                                   Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org Office: (231) 944-1568, Cell: (570) 872-4956                                           Web: www.FLOWforWater.org Jim Olson, FLOW Founder and President                                                Email: olson@envlaw.com (231) 499-8831  Dave Dempsey, FLOW Senior Advisor                                                     Email: dave@FLOWforWater.org (612) 703-2720 In the wake of an opinion by Attorney General Dana …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                      March 28, 2019 Liz Kirkwood, FLOW Executive Director                                                   Email:Liz@FLOWforWater.org Office: (231) 944-1568, Cell: (570) 872-4956                                           Web: www.FLOWforWater.org Jim Olson, FLOW Founder and President                                                Email:olson@envlaw.com Cell: (231) 499-8831 Dave Dempsey, FLOW Senior Advisor                                                     Email:Dave@FLOWforWater.org (612) 703-2720 FLOW supports attorney general’s process and opinion, which is binding …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                             February 7, 2019 Contacts: Skip Pruss, Board Chair, FLOW (For …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                         January 2, 2019 Jim Olson, Founder and President                                                             Email: olson@envlaw.com FLOW (For Love of Water), Traverse …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                      December 20, 2018 Liz Kirkwood, …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                         December 18, 2018 Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                               Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love of Water), Traverse …Read More »

FLOW’s Legal Analysis: Snyder-Enbridge Oil Tunnel Deal Risks the Mackinac Bridge’s Fiscal Integrity, Violates Environmental Laws On its 61st birthday, the Mackinac Bridge faces its biggest threat to date FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      …Read More »

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                 October 3, 2018 Jim Olson, President, Legal Advisor                                                           Email: Jim@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love of Water), Traverse City, MI  …Read More »

Jim Olson, President, Legal Advisor Dave Dempsey, Senior Policy AdvisorLiz Kirkwood, Executive DirectorFLOW (For Love of Water)Office: (231) 944-1568, Cell: (570) 872-4956 Email: Jim@FLOWforWater.orgEmail: Dave@FLOWforWater.orgEmail: Liz@FLOWforWater.orgWeb: www.FLOWforWater.org Michigan Groundwater Emergency FLOW Report Calls for Major Policy Reforms to ProtectThe Drinking Water Source for 45% of Michiganders Traverse City, Michigan – …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2018 Jim Olson, President, Legal AdvisorDave Dempsey, Senior Policy AdvisorLiz Kirkwood, Executive DirectorFLOW (For Love of Water)Office: (231) 944-1568, Cell: (570) 872-4956   Email: Jim@FLOWforWater.orgEmail: Dave@FLOWforWater.orgEmail: Liz@FLOWforWater.orgWeb: www.FLOWforWater.org “Public Water, Public Justice” FLOW Releases Model Legislation to Protect Michigan’s Public Waters and the Rights of …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      August 21, 2018 Even the significantly understated economic impacts of a spill from Line 5 at the Straits of Mackinac in a state-commissioned analysis reveal a fiscal and human price tag too high for the people of Michigan, FLOW (For Love of Water) said in comments submitted …Read More »

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Michigan is moving closer to a Great Lakes oil spill disaster and farther from a real alternative to the decaying oil pipelines in the Mackinac Straits, according to a Great Lakes law and policy center’s review released today of technical reports produced by Line 5-owner Enbridge …Read More »

Enbridge’s latest in a long series of requests for government approval of a change in design that elevates a large portion of Line 5 pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac must trigger a full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a Great Lakes law and policy center …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           June 29, 2018 Contact:  Liz Kirkwood                                                                      Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org Executive Director                                                                                           Office: (231) 944-1568 FLOW (For Love of Water)                                                                               Cell: (570) 872-4956 Latest Enbridge Reports Underscore Line 5’s Vulnerability to 400 Michigan Waterways and Ongoing Unacceptable Risk to the Straits …Read More »

Protecting the Common Waters of the Great Lakes BasinThrough Public Trust Solutions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASELiz Kirkwood, Executive DirectorFLOW (For Love of Water)Office: (231) 944-1568Cell: (570) 872-4956     Friday, June 15, 2018Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.orgWeb:  www.FLOWforWater.org Proposed “Line 5” Oil Pipeline Tunnel Under the Mackinac Straits Ignores Looming Disaster, Locks in Decades …Read More »

In comments submitted to state officials Friday, FLOW is urging state regulators to deny a bid by Enbridge Energy to install 48 new anchor supports on dangerous Line 5 at the Straits of Mackinac while evading scrutiny of alternatives that would protect the environment. Enbridge’s latest request, if approved, would …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO MEDIA: May 4, 2018   Dave Dempsey, Senior Advisor                                                               Phone: 231-944-1568 FLOW (For Love of Water)                                                       …Read More »

Good evening, and thank you for the opportunity to comment on what is unfortunately a deeply flawed final Line 5 alternatives study. The people of Michigan are ill-served by this study. It cannot serve as a basis for an informed and intelligent decision about the fate of this profound threat …Read More »

Over two years ago, the Governor of Michigan created this Advisory Board by Executive Order to “Review and make recommendations for statutory, regulatory, and contractual implementation of the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force Report.”  This meant the board was required to oversee an independent and comprehensive analysis of risks and …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        November 27, 2017 Contact:  Liz Kirkwood                                                       Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org Executive Director                                                          …Read More »

Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                  Cell: 570-872-4956 FLOW (For Love of Water)                                                          Email: liz@flowforwater.org Jim Olson, Founder & President                                                   Cell: 231-499-8831 FLOW (For Love of Water)                                                          Email: olson@envlaw.com ST. IGNACE – The state of Michigan must immediately apply the law, stop Line 5’s oil flow, and reject a Canadian company’s application to …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO MEDIA: November 3, 2017 Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                                  Cell: 570-872-4956 FLOW (For Love of …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                October 26, 2017 Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                     Contact: Timothy Young, Founder FLOW (For Love of …Read More »

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  TRAVERSE CITY – A draft report for the State by Dynamic Risk Inc. of alternatives to Enbridge’s risky twin oil pipelines crossing the lakebed at the Straits of Mackinac is so deeply flawed, according to FLOW, a Traverse City-based Great Lakes water law and policy center, that the State …Read More »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              April 21, 2017 Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                                Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love of Water)                                                     Office: (231) 944-1568; Cell: (570) 872-4956 Contact: James Olson, Legal Advisor …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     April 12, 2017 Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                          Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                               …Read More »

  Contact: Misha Neidorfler                                                321 E Front Street Morsels, LLC                                   …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Media Contacts: Leonard Page 231-268-8430/ leonard@thepages.net David Holtz 313-300-4454/david@davidholtz.org   Citizens Respond to Attorney General Schuette: Get Off the Sidelines on Line 5 and Protect Great Lakes Responding today to a letter from Attorney General Bill Schuette, citizens groups from across the state …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         March 9, 2017 Contact:  Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                               Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love of Water)                   …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, February 20, 2017 Media Contact:  David Holtz 313-300-4454/david@davidholtz.org   In Wake of New Pipeline Concerns, Groups Call On Snyder, Schuette to Begin Shutting Down Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette must require Enbridge to shut off the …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 9, 2017 Contact: Mitchell Rivard, 989-450-2534, Mitchell.Rivard@mail.house.gov   Congressman Dan Kildee Introduces Legislation to Protect the Great Lakes, Michigan’s Sport Fishing Industry Kildee Seeks to Address For-Profit Fish Farming that Poses New Threats to Michigan’s Waterways, including the Au Sable River   FENTON – Congressman …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               February 6, 2017 Contact:  Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director                                        Email: Liz@FLOWforWater.org FLOW (For Love of Water)                                             Office: (231) 944-1568, Cell: (570) 872-4956   Research Identifies Viable Options to Enbridge’s Aging “Line 5” for U.P.’s Propane Supply and Michigan, Midwest Demand for …Read More »

Dear friends, The Blue Planet Project, FLOW (For Love of Water), the Canadian Union of Pubic Employees, KruHa Indonesia, la Red Vida and the National Coalition on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation are pleased to launch the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation toolkit in advance of International …Read More »

Michigan sits at the center of a debate over whether to open its Great Lakes waters to commercial aquaculture or fish farming. The practice involves packing thousands of fish into near-shore cages or mesh net-pens that rise above the surface, are anchored to the bottom, and accessed via pier or …Read More »

Under Michigan law, the state must stop Line 5’s oil flow and hold public hearings on the steel pipelines lying underwater in the Mackinac Straits as it considers Enbridge Energy’s application to remedy easement violations and shore up its aging underwater infrastructure, according to FLOW (For Love of Water), a …Read More »

  Although Attorney General Bill Schuette and top state environmental agency directors yesterday notified Enbridge of violations of its agreement to operate oil pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac, officials only did so several months after being told by experts that powerful currents had washed away critical pipeline support infrastructure. …Read More »

Decommissioning the twin pipelines in the Mackinac Straits to prevent a catastrophic oil spill would not disrupt Michigan’s or the Midwest’s crude oil and propane supply, contrary to assertions by the pipelines’ owner, according to a Great Lakes law and policy group that released a set of expert reports today. …Read More »

Filling a void left by the state, a Great Lakes law and policy group and its scientific advisors released a report today calling on the Snyder administration to take interim steps – including the immediate temporary halt of oil flowing through two aging pipelines in the Mackinac Straits – and …Read More »

On behalf of FLOW (For Love of Water), Jim Olson released the following statement regarding today’s decision on the Waukesha Diversion Application. “For better or worse, the Compact governors’ decision approving Waukesha’s diversion is done. There were a number of loose provisions that pointed to a bad precedent where a …Read More »

Aquaculture –often in the form of networks of enclosed pens that exclusively occupy a large area of surface water and underlying bottomlands—raises substantial legal, environmental, aquatic resource, and water use impact issues. Specifically, the use of public waters and bottomlands for the occupancy and operation of concentrated fish production raises …Read More »

Citing new research and documentation revealing cracks, dents, corrosion, and structural defects in the twin oil pipelines in the Mackinac Straits, 22 environmental and tribal groups today formally requested that Gov. Snyder and Attorney General Schuette shut down “Line 5” oil in the Straits based on Enbridge’s multiple easement violations. The …Read More »

  FLOW Calls on Regional Body and Michigan Uphold Diversion Ban, to Reject Application TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Failing to meet strict standards or demonstrate a public need, a Wisconsin city’s precedent-setting request to divert as much as 16 million gallons a day of Lake Michigan water outside the basin …Read More »

IJC Report Released Today on Great Lakes Diversions, Consumptive Uses, and Climate Change Adopts Policy Prescription from FLOW, Great Lakes Water Law and Policy Center TRAVERSE CITY, MI — The International Joint Commission issued a much anticipated report today on the success of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Sustainable Water Resources Agreementand Compact ban …Read More »

On February 1, 2016, FLOW submitted written testimony to members of the House Natural Resources Committee in support of  HB 5255’s ban on commercial cage (or net-pen) aquaculture in the Great Lakes. Read the full testimony here.Read More »

  Great Lakes Group: State Advisory Board Must Recognize Urgency, Consider Line 5 Oil Pipeline’s Impact to Inland Waterways and Climate Change   TRAVERSE CITY – Great Lakes law and policy center FLOW submitted additional comments today to the Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board in response to its requests for information …Read More »

LANSING – This morning Attorney General Bill Schuette and DEQ Director Dan Wyant released the long-awaited Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force report, outlining specific recommendations to address the significant risks surrounding a Canadian pipeline company’s controversial twin pipelines (known as “Line 5” or the Straits Pipelines).  The Task Force report …Read More »

As part of FLOW’s Model Local Ordinance Program, Monday, Cannon Township enacted three new ordinances to regulate ancillary oil and gas activities. Congratulations and well wishes to everyone in Cannon as they move forward in their process to protect their community and give voice to the concerns of their citizenry! …Read More »

NEWS     Oil & Water Presents to Petroleum Task Force DECEMBER 15, 2014 LANSING – In formal remarks today to a state task force on oil pipelines, representatives of key environmental and Great Lakes groups – echoing the concerns of businesses, governments, and thousands of citizens – called on …Read More »

  Traverse City’s Mayor Michael Estes urged Gov. Snyder in a letter this week to take action as the state’s primary trustee and to regulate twin 61-year-old pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac that transport about 23 million gallons of oil every day. Traverse City’s letter follows a similar letter …Read More »

For Immediate Release:   Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 Contact: David Holtz, Sierra Club 313-300-4454  david@davidholtz.org Liz Kirkwood, For Love of Water 231-94491568  liz@flowforwater.org Citizens groups concerned that Enbridge plans to bring more heavy oil through Michigan pipelines Citizens groups today called on Gov. Rick Snyder to take immediate steps toward …Read More »

August 1, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org FLOW Urges the Department of Environmental Quality to Strengthen Its Proposed 2014 Fracking Regulations to Protect Michigan’s Water, Air, and Land Resources Traverse City, Mich. – On July 31, 2014, FLOW submitted extensive public comments …Read More »

July 2, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org  Michigan Governor Snyder urged to exercise full authority over Enbridge Pipeline No. 5 under public lands easement agreement and Great Lakes Submerged Land Act  Traverse City – 17 Conservation, water and environmental groups and the …Read More »

Click here to view and download the press release as a PDF. May 14, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org World Renowned Water Activist, Maude Barlow, to Speak on Regional Water Issues in Detroit Detroit, Mich. – On Thursday, May 22 at …Read More »

Click here to view and download the press release as a PDF. May 2, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org FLOW Awarded NMEAC John Nelson Water Steward Award TRAVERSE CITY– On April 25, 2014, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) honored FLOW …Read More »

Click here to view and download the press release as a PDF. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org Longtime FLOW Volunteer Eric Olson Steps Down as Communications Director, Maintains Position as Board of Directors Vice Chair TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Presiding selflessly as …Read More »

Click here to view and download the press release as a PDF April 24, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwoood, Executive Director 231 944 1568 or liz@flowforwater.org May 13 Virtual Townhall Webinar Convenes Top Experts on Nutrient Pollution Panelists Discuss Harmful Algal Blooms on Great Lakes TRAVERSE CITY, MI …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release as a PDF February 27, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director liz@flowforwater.org or 231-944-1568 Public Trust Doctrine Policy Framework Encouraged in Final LEEP Report FLOW Commends International Joint Commission as “Forward-Thinking” TRAVERSE CITY, MI – FLOW lauds …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release as a PDF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director liz@flowforwater.org or 231-944-1568 FLOW Founder Pens Seminal Article on Public Trust in the Great Lakes “All Aboard” in Vermont Journal of Environmental Law TRAVERSE CITY, MI – FLOW …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release as a PDF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director, FLOW liz@flowforwater.org or 231-944-1568 or Jack Davis, Owner, Great Northern Roasting Company jack@greatnoroco.com or 231-943-3917 Beans4Blue Coffee Now in Three Blends at Stores Statewide 3% of Sales to Benefit …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release as a PDF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director liz@flowforwater.org or 231-944-1568 FLOW Local Ordinance Program Addresses Fracking Impacts in Conway Township, MI Over 100 Citizens Attend FLOW Presentation FOWLERVILLE, MI – In February of 2014, Conway Township …Read More »

Click here to view the full press release as a PDF FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Allison Voglesong, Communication Designer allison@flowforwater.org or 213-944-1568 FLOW Selected as GLIN Site of the Month February 2014 to Feature FLOW TRAVERSE CITY- The Great Lakes Commission-based Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) has named FLOW their …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release PDF For immediate release Contact: Allison Voglesong, Communication Designer 231 944-1568 or allison@flowforwater.org FLOW Staff to Issue Public Statement at Army Corps of Engineers Public Comment Forums on the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study TRAVERSE CITY – The United …Read More »

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 …Read More »

Click here to view the press release as a PDF For Immediate Release Media Inquiries: Sarah Malpeli PR Manager (941) 993-5037 sarahm@allegranetwork.com Signs Now Traverse City Announces 2013 Recycling Program Recipient TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Aug. 9, 2013) Andrew and Amy Kohlmann, owners of Signs Now Traverse City, recently selected FLOW …Read More »

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 HOSTS ITS FIRST ANNUAL CELEBRATION Celebrating the Great Lakes Society: Common Waters, Common Purpose TRAVERSE CITY, MI – FLOW (“For Love Of Water”), the Great Lakes Basin’s only public trust …Read More »

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 …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release PDF PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2013 Fracking Ordinance Development Program Continues in Cannon Township Gun Plain Charter Township Program Launches TRAVERSE CITY, MI – FLOW, the Great Lakes Basin’s only public trust policy and education center, will …Read More »

Click here to read and download the full press release PDF FLOW Staff to Issue Public Statement at Governor’s Energy Forum in Traverse City Michigan’s Energy Plan Needs to Bring Water to the Center of the Conversation PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Governor Rick Snyder’s “Readying …Read More »

Click here to view the press release as a PDF Fracking suspected cause of residential water well failure in Kalkaska County As Encana’s fracking operation continued in Rapid River Township, local residents losing water pressure. Water coming out of the tap looks like milk. For Immediate Release June 11, 2013 Kalkaska, …Read More »

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 …Read More »

PRESS RELEASE For immediate publication Thousands demand Lone Pine drop its NAFTA lawsuit against Québec’s fracking moratorium (Ottawa, May 31, 2013) – Two weeks after the launch of a public petition, organizers have received over 3,000 signatures demanding that energy company Lone Pine Resources drop its $250 million NAFTA (North America Free …Read More »

Click here to view and download the full press release PDF PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2013 FLOW Local Ordinance Program Brings Fracking Protection to Two Michigan Townships Michigan Communities Seek Regulation of Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Two Michigan Townships—Cannon Township and …Read More »

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Proposed Ohio Lake Erie Water Bill Takes Bloom Off SpringRead More »

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