April 7, 2011

Contact: Mary Dettloff, 517-335-3014

DNR to Propose Closing 23 State Forest Campgrounds

The order to close the 23 campgrounds will be submitted as a proposal at today's Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting in Lansing, and will be eligible for action by DNR Director Rodney Stokes at the NRC's May 12 meeting in Flint. If approved at the May meeting, the closures would be effective on May 19, 2011.

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that the state's Forest Recreation Program has seen a 63-percent decrease in funding in the last three years, resulting in the need for the department to close 23 under-performing state forest campgrounds in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

State forest campgrounds are not state parks. State forest campgrounds are rustic sites with fewer amenities than a state park. They are unstaffed and provide a more rustic, tent camping experience. Every state forest campground is located on a river or lake, and more than 60 campgrounds have nearby pathways for non-motorized trail recreation, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature observation. Accommodations range from five to 50 campsites, with group sites available. All campgrounds have vault toilets and potable water from hand pumps.

General Fund support for state forest recreation programs, such as the state forest campgrounds, has been reduced every year since 2009, when $72,200 was cut. In 2010, $24,100 was cut from the program, and in Fiscal Year 2011, the program is targeted for a $314,700 General Fund reduction.

"While revenue has remained even in the last decade, due to camping fee increases in 2002 and in 2007, state forest campground fees are now at the high end of the market at $15 a night per individual site," said Cara Boucher, assistant chief of the DNR's Forest Management Division. "Meanwhile, the number of registrations and campers has steadily dropped over the same period. Given the long-term trend of declining use and the inability to raise camp fee revenues, the only way to absorb the current cut in General Fund support is to close some campgrounds."

To address the reduced camping demand and insufficient funding to maintain all state forest campgrounds, the DNR will close underutilized campgrounds, Boucher said.

"We will preserve the campgrounds that perform well, and provide a diverse selection for the campers," Boucher said. "The campgrounds targeted for closure are under-performing and close to other state forest campgrounds, so we can still provide camping opportunities in those areas."

Currently, the highest-performing state forest campground generates more than $40,000 a year annually in revenue, while the lowest-performing generates just over $300 a year.

The campgrounds targeted for closure are:

• Beaufort and Big Lake state forest campgrounds - Baraga County
• Black Lake Trail Camp - Cheboygan County
• Lime Island State Forest Campground and Cabins and Munuscong River State Forest Campground - Chippewa County
• Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground - Crawford County
• Deer Lake State Forest Campground - Iron County
• Bray Creek State Forest Campground - Lake County
• Blind Sucker #1, High Bridge, Holland Lake, Natalie and Reed & Green Bridge state forest campgrounds - Luce County
• Black River State Forest Campground - Mackinac County
• Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground - Montmorency County
• McCollum Lake State Forest Campground - Oscoda County
• Pigeon Bridge and Round Lake state forest campgrounds - Otsego County
• Canoe Lake, Cusino Lake, Mead Creek and South Gemini Lake state forest campgrounds - Schoolcraft County
• Long Lake State Forest Campground - Wexford County

To read the informational memo on the state forest campground closures provided to the NRC at the April 7 meeting, go to the NRC's website at www.michigan.gov/nrc and click on Agendas and Minutes to find the April 7 agenda. To read the memo, click on the box for the order on page two of the agenda.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

April 7, 2011

Contact: Tiffany Hartung (231) 747-7489

Senate Defeats Multiple Assaults on Clean Air Act

Senators Stabenow and Levin Vote Against Clean Air and Water

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the U.S. Senate beat back multiple assaults on the Clean Air Act and attempts to handcuff the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to protect Americans from toxic pollution.

Senator Stabenow sponsored and voted in support of the Stabenow/Brown amendment block EPA's permitting authority for the largest polluters for two years.  This amendment would allow EPA to issue standards for power plants and refineries but would delay the legal effectiveness of these regulations for two years.

Senator Levin voted in support of the Baucus amendment which needlessly limits the facilities regulated under the EPA's permitting authority for global warming pollution.  This bill allows EPA to proceed with power plant and refinery regulations.

The most egregious of the attacks, offered by Senator McConnell, would permanently remove EPA authority over GHG emissions and weaken fuel economy standards, failed 50 to 50. Other bills which would needlessly delay, block or narrow EPA's commonsense public health protections received limited support. 

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director Anne Woiwode released the following statement in response to today's vote:

"The Senate's defeat of four bills aimed at gutting the Clean Air Act demonstrates a short-term victory for Americans who want clean air and safe drinking water.

"Had this attack on the CAA been successful, it would have put the health of millions of Americans at risk. Senators Levin and Stabenow and other legislators who voted in favor of any of these bills owe an explanation to their constituents about why they have voted for the interests of corporate polluters over the health and well-being of their communities. The message is clear: Sen. Levin and Stabenow believe oil and coal companies' profits are more important than clean air and water.

"Unfortunately, the battle for Americans' health, air and water, is not over. Corporate polluters and their friends in Congress are pushing a dangerous agenda to gut the Clean Air Act, and are holding EPA health protections hostage in the must-pass federal budget negotiations this week.

"Even more outrageous, this polluter-funded effort to hijack the budget will include generous government handouts to Big Oil and other corporate interests.  Polluters' grab for taxpayer dollars will do nothing to create jobs and will put our health at risk.

"We urge Congress to reject this political gambit that endangers millions of Americans and jeopardizes our economy, and we urge President Obama to veto any legislation aimed at gutting the Clean Air Act."

Vote Breakdown (background information on bills)

McConnell Amendment #183:Total Supporting - 50
Republicans Supporting: Scott Brown, Kirk, Snowe,
Democrats Opposing: Manchin, Ben Nelson, Pryor, Landrieu,
Republicans Opposing: Collins voted against

Rockefeller Amendment  #215:Total Supporting - 12
Scott Brown, Collins, Johnson, Conrad, Landrieu, Manchin, McCaskill, Ben Nelson, Pryor, Rockefeller, Webb, Graham

Stabenow-Brown  #277:Total Supporting - 7
Sherrod Brown, Casey, Johnson, Pryor, Stabenow, Conrad, Klobuchar

Baucus #236:Total Supporting - 7
Baucus, Hagan, Conrad, Klobuchar, Begich, Johnson, Levin

Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin Side With Polluters Over Michiganders’ Health

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Nicole Lowen, (734)662-9797, nlowen@environmentmichigan.org

Ann Arbor — Today, Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin voted for a dangerous attack on Michiganders’ health that would block the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to clean up dangerous carbon dioxide pollution. Four proposals—dubbed “The Filthy Four”—that would have prevented the clean-up of carbon dioxide pollution were considered and blocked in the U.S. Senate.

“Today Michigan’s U.S. Senators had a choice: stand up for the health of our children, elderly citizens and other vulnerable populations, or do the bidding of America’s biggest polluters,” said Nicole Lowen, State Associate with Environment Michigan. “Unfortunately, Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin sided with polluters at the expense of Michiganders’ health and our environment.”

Public health groups urged Congress to reject The Filthy Four. The American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, the American Thoracic Society, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and others in the public health community sent letters to Congress in recent weeks opposing all of these proposals and other attacks on the Clean Air Act. And last week, 155 Representatives—including Representatives Clarke, Conyers, Dingell, Kildee, Levin, and Peters—and 34 Senators signed onto a letter and a resolution, respectively, each pointing to the success of the Clean Air Act and calling for it to be protected.

“Global warming presents serious threats to Michigander’s health, our economy, and our future. The year 2010 tied as the hottest year on record globally, and if left unchecked, global warming will lead to more deadly heat waves, more asthma attacks, the spread of infectious disease, and more frequent and intense storms,” said Lowen.

“Rather than heeding the science and letting the EPA do its job to protect public health and our environment, these proposals’ supporters want to give the biggest polluters a free pass to keep polluting and threatening our health,” concluded Lowen.

BACKGROUND

Just as EPA is poised to finally clean up the largest sources of pollution through the Clean Air Act, polluting industries and some in Congress are trying to block EPA from doing its job. This assault on public health came to a climax today when the Senate voted on proposals that would have blocked or weakened the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to clean up carbon dioxide pollution.
In the Senate, four proposals—dubbed The Filthy Four—were considered as amendments to an unrelated small business bill (S. 493), though none of these amendments received the necessary 60 votes to move forward:

• Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered an amendment that mirrored Sen. Inhofe’s bill (S. 482) to block EPA from cleaning up dangerous carbon dioxide pollution, overturn scientific findings regarding the threats posed by global warming, and block EPA and the states from cutting carbon dioxide pollution and saving oil through clean car standards.
• Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) offered an
  amendment that would block the implementation of standards to cut carbon dioxide pollution from coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and other industrial sources for at least two years, while exempting the agricultural sector from limits on carbon dioxide pollution.
  
• Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) offered an amendment that would block the EPA’s ability to set standards—or even do research and gather stakeholder input to develop standards—to cut carbon dioxide pollution from coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and other industrial sources for at least two years.
  
• Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) offered an amendment that would block the clean-up of global warming pollution from biomass facilities, and would permanently exempt even the very largest sources of global warming pollution from having to clean up their global warming pollution unless the source is also a very large source of other pollutants. Senator Levin voted for this amendment.
  
  

In the House of Representatives, Representative Fred Upton’s (D-MI) bill H.R. 910, dubbed the Dirty Air Act, is expected to be voted on today in the full House.

• Representative Upton’s Dirty Air Act mirrors Sen. McConnell’s amendment described above, and would do at least three dangerous things:
• Block EPA from cutting carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants from coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and other industrial sources. Coal- fired power plants are the largest single source of global warming pollution in the United States.
• Overturn EPA’s “endangerment finding” regarding global warming pollution— the determination by EPA scientists that global warming pollution poses threats to public health and welfare—essentially saying that Congress knows climate science better than the climate scientists themselves.
• Block EPA—and states—from issuing new standards for cleaner vehicles after 2017, and open up the 2012-2016 federal clean car standards to serious legal challenges. These standards are regarded as one of the easiest ways to cut our reliance on oil and save consumers money at the gas pump.

______________________________________________________________________

Environment Michigan is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization committed to clean air, clean water and open spaces www.environmentmichigan.org 

April 6, 2011

Contact: Tiffany Hartung, (O) 231-747-7489, (C) 248-933-2451

Michigan US Representatives Upton, Rogers, Amash, Benishek, Camp, Huizenga, Miller, McCotter, Walberg, and Others in U.S. Congress Shill for Polluters, Endangering Americans’ Health

Upton Bill Passes 254-172
 

(Lansing, MI) – Today Michigan US Representatives Upton, Rogers, Amash, Benishek, Camp, Huizenga, Miller, McCotter, Walberg and other members of Congress approved legislation that strips the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect the public health of millions of Americans from big polluters. The bill, introduced by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), prohibits the EPA from enforcing safeguards against dangerous carbon pollution, guts the Clean Air Act and threatens the health and well-being of American families.

In response, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director Anne Woiwode released the following statement:

“Today, at the expense of millions of Michigan residents who suffer from asthma, respiratory illness and other pollution-related disease, Representative Upton moved his bill in the US House and he and Representatives Rogers, Amash, Benishek, Camp, Huizenga, Miller, McCotter, Walberg and others voted for it, voting for higher profits for greedy corporate polluters, and dirtier air and water, more health problems, and more jobs shipped overseas, for the rest of us.

“Yesterday’s narrow defeat of 4 bills aimed at gutting the Clean Air Act in the Senate demonstrates a short-term victory for clean air, safe drinking water, and health.  Shameful pro-polluter votes like Representatives Upton, Rogers, Amash, Benishek, Camp, Huizenga, Miller, McCotter, Walberg today continue to put the health of millions of Americans at risk.

“Since day one of the 112th Congress, members of the Republican leadership like Fred Upton have been tasked by their polluter campaign contributors with gutting essential health protections like the Clean Air Act and abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect us from life-threatening pollution.

“We urge the Senate to stand its ground for our health, our economy and our environment by rejecting this damaging and dangerous legislation.” 

March 10, 2011

Contact: Michelle Martinez:  313-443-1046

Michigan Citizens, Families Urge Congress:
Don't Cut Vital U.S. Heating Assistance Plan

LANSING - As utilities continue to raise energy rates, Michigan citizens and families today called on Congress to protect a federal heating relief assistance program that lawmakers are considering slashing.

The program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), assists low-income households and families in need meet their immediate home energy needs. Generally, qualifying families are those who pay the highest proportion of their household incomes on home energy bills.

"Families across Michigan are struggling in this tough economy, and cutting this essential relief program will be devastating," said Ann Grimmett of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. "Costs are going up every day, for everything from food to fuel to heating costs. While utilities raise rates, federal support for LIHEAP is more important now more than ever."

Comments from citizens at the hearing will be passed along to Congress, which is considering slashing LIHEAP funding by as much as 30 percent. The hearing was hosted by the Michigan Public Services Commission.

"The reason Michigan families are paying more and more for energy is because of our dependence on coal, which is a reminder to the Snyder Administration that it must invest in more homegrown, affordable renewable energy," said Michelle Martinez of the Sierra Club. "We need to slam the brakes on rising energy costs and energy efficiency is the cheapest form of energy available. Michigan can help our fellow citizens by creating clean energy jobs that can't be outsourced, invest in our homes, and keep Michigan families warm."

"Michigan households spent almost double on energy in 2010 than in 2000 - and we keep paying higher and higher prices when we burn coal," said Robin Douglas, a DTE energy consumer activist. "Gov. Rick Snyder has an opportunity to send a clear signal that he supports all families, by investing taxpayers' hard earned money on wind and solar energy and more energy efficiency programs. These are investments that create jobs, protect ratepayers from price spikes and help build a stronger future."

"Michigan families need LIHEAP energy assistance because our most vulnerable populations are paying for energy twice: once on their electric bill, and then again at the hospital when they get asthma from the pollution as a result of living around coal plants," said Michelle Ali Danar, an energy specialist. "These vulnerable citizens are paying unfair taxes and not seeing any of the benefits."

"As energy costs go up, Gov. Rick Snyder has a golden opportunity to break Michigan's unhealthy dependence on coal and keep our dollars here in Michigan, by investing in clean energy and energy efficiency," said Susan Harley of Clean Water Action. "Michigan has an opportunity to build a clean energy future that strengthens our economy while protecting ratepayers and our most vulnerable citizens. High energy costs that hit consumers is a warning that Michigan must grow our clean energy economy now." 

March 9, 2011

Contact: Azlan Ibrahim, (517) 333-1606 

More than 160 Michigan Scientists Tell Congress: Let EPA do its Job, Stop Attacks

MI scientists: Assault on EPA threatens public health, economy

LANSING - More than 160 scientists from universities across Michigan today called on Michigan's congressional delegation to oppose further attacks on the Environmental Protection Agency's authority, calling the EPA essential to protecting the public health.

"For more than 40 years, the EPA has protected public health and safety by holding polluters accountable - and it should be allowed to continue doing its job," said Knute Nadelhoffer, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. "Scientists across Michigan stand united with scientists at the EPA and across the nation. Science, not politics, must drive our fight against dangerous pollution."

Nadelhoffer testified before Congress on Tuesday about the importance of allowing the EPA to set greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act.

The scientists' letter states: "We strongly urge you to reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put our health, agriculture, environment and economy at risk." [The letter is attached below.]

The scientists are continuing to circulate the letter to more researchers and scientists across the state, with the goal of building momentum and raising their voices to Congress.

"Michigan scientists urge Congress to defend Michigan citizens, not polluters," said David Karowe, professor of biological sciences at Western Michigan University. "By taking away or weakening the EPA's authority to fight greenhouse gas pollution, Congress is endangering the public health by increasing the likelihood of deadly heat waves, floods, and droughts."

"In the long run, climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions is going to be extremely costly to Michigan's economy, so we need to consider the long-term risk against the short-term costs," said Stephen Hamilton, professor of ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. "And each year that we delay action commits us to more severe climate change well into the future, because greenhouse gas effects will persist for a very long time."

"Greenhouse gas pollution is a threat to our families' health and safety, and it endangers important industries from agriculture to tourism," said Steve Bertman, WMU chemistry professor and an expert on atmospheric chemistry. "The science is clear: Greenhouse gas pollution harms our air, land and water.  Ultimately, it will be the growing industries of alternative energy that will bring innovation and jobs back to Michigan. We should be doing everything we can to support these jobs of the future rather than upholding outdated technologies of the past."

"I am proud to stand with my fellow scientists in sending this message to Congress: Let science, not politics, determine how we set standards on greenhouse gas emissions," said Sarah Green, chair of the chemistry department at Michigan Technological University.  "As Congress begins the debate on the Clean Air Act, it is vital that they hear from scientists - and more than 160 of us in Michigan are ready to make our voices heard."

"The EPA does important life-saving work to protect public health," said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center and an adjunct environmental law professor at the University of Michigan. "These Michigan scientists fully support the EPA's setting sensible clean air standards to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollution that harm our health. Congress should work to reduce pollution, not open the floodgates to more toxic pollution that puts Michigan's future and our health at risk."

Among the facts the Michigan scientists highlighted in their letter:

• The Clean Air Act requires that EPA work to reduce smog and soot pollution, air toxics, and global warming pollution that together cost the people of Michigan and America billions of dollars in health care and other costs.
• Clean air rules can create more than 62,300 construction, installation and professional jobs in Michigan in the next five years.
• Michigan's Big Three have already publicly supported EPA rules to reduce emissions in new vehicles.Clean air regulations save consumers millions of dollars in gas costs, reduce oil consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 960 million metric tons.
• Signatories of the letter included scientists and researchers from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Hope College, Kalamazoo College and Calvin College, as well as scientists with other institutions doing research in Michigan.
• A recent statewide poll showed Michigan voters overwhelmingly support the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources. According to the poll of 500 Michigan voters by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 68 percent of voters support the EPA's authority, compared with only 27 percent.
• Last week, the EPA released a report showing that the Clean Air Act will have saved $2 trillion by 2020 and prevented at least 230,000 deaths annually. By 2020, complying with the amendments would prevent 200,000 heart attacks, 17 million lost work days and 2.4 million asthma attacks, according to the report.

March 8, 2011

CONTACTS:
Cyndi Roper 517-999-3646
Anne Woiwode 517-484-2372
David Holtz 313-300-4454

First 2 Snyder Laws Weaken Protections for Michigan's Water

LANSING - Citizens groups criticized Gov. Rick Snyder for weakening federal water standards when he signed legislation today affecting the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program - the first bills he is signing into law as governor.

"The Snyder Administration is opening the door to more threats against Michigan's water supply, and closing the door to more accountability," said Anne Woiwode, Director of the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club. "This new law is reversing course in our state after eight years of bringing dangerous pollution from livestock operations under better control. This is a recipe for disaster and we will ask the Environmental Protection Agency to review the law to determine whether it violates federal statues."

Snyder signed into law House Bill 4212 and Senate Bill 122,  allow agricultural operations under the voluntary Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) to meet lower water quality standards than any other water users.  Discharges of livestock wastes and other agricultural contaminants from these unpermitted facilities can cause sickness, fish kills and other damage to the environment.  Permits and regulations for the largest concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) will remain unchanged, but operations just one cow or one pig fewer would not have to meet the same requirements to prevent pollution and pay fines.

"Gov. Snyder's first significant act as governor is to sign into law loopholes in water protection regulations - and that's extremely disappointing for Michigan families and small businesses that depend on healthy lakes and natural resources," said Cyndi Roper, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action. "Michigan citizens have said time and time again that they want more protections for our Great Lakes and water, not less. Unfortunately, Gov. Snyder is turning a deaf ear to the people of Michigan and putting our most precious natural resource at risk."

"The governor's decision to weaken Michigan's effort to protect our water sends the wrong signal to Michigan industries, from tourism and fishing to manufacturing," said David Holtz, executive director of Progress Michigan. "Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams are the engine of our economy, and we must do everything in our power to protect it. Instead, this new law sends Michigan backwards and endangers local economies and our families' quality of life."