Great Lakes/Out-of-State Trash

LANSING – House Democrats today blasted the State Supreme Court's decision to strike down provisions in the Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) allowing citizens to hold companies accountable when they violate water and environmental protection laws. The ruling comes on the same day that Democrats introduced a water protection package that gives the public additional tools to protect Michigan's most precious natural resource.
    "The Supreme Court's ruling is the exact opposite of what we are trying to do to protect our water here in Michigan," said State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores). "The Supreme Court has put the quality and future of our Great Lakes and other natural resources at risk."
    In a 4-3 vote, the Supreme Court struck down provisions in the MEPA that allow citizens to enforce environmental laws. According to Clean Water Action, citizens have used the MEPA to produce such public interest victories as halting Shell Oil's plan to drill for oil and natural gas in the Pigeon River Country State Forest in the late 1970s, and forcing developers to comply with environmental standards in building condominiums along Lake Michigan in Manistee in the late 1990s.
    House Democrats today introduced the "Great Waters, Great Michigan" package, which protects Michigan water from being diverted and defends our natural resources from harm by bottling companies. The package also strengthens environmental protections, requires large-scale users to adopt tougher conservation practices and gives citizens the ability to hold companies accountable for violating water protection laws.
    "This decision by the Supreme Court represents an attack on the Great Lakes, and it underscores the need for us to move quickly and pass this legislation," State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) said. "I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up against this short-sighted decision and work together to protect our water."