Need Funds for Water Work in Your Community? Check This Out!
Freshwater Future Fall Project Grants provide funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) for grassroots projects that promote water protection through advocacy efforts. Have a project that needs funding? Freshwater Future is here to help. Contact Laurie Breighner laurie@freshwaterfuture.org to check your eligibility, help with your application or to ask questions. Visit our website to see past grant projects and learn more about our grant programs at freshwaterfuture.org/grant-programs/. Sign up here for a Q&A Webinar on Freshwater Future’s grant programs on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 – 12 – 1pm (ET) to learn more about how to apply to support your water work.
Pipelines Continue to Threaten our Freshwater
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will consider only the four-mile portion of the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac in their environmental review process for a proposed tunnel. Unfortunately, this limited environmental review of Enbridge’s 70-year-old, 645 mile pipeline misses an opportunity to assess threats to our ground and surface waters that serve as our source of drinking water. The Canadian Company’s track record with spills is another concern. During construction of Enbridge’s Line 3 oil pipeline in northern Minnesota, the company breached groundwater aquifers at least four times, making water sources more vulnerable to pollution and putting wild rice at risk. A community group, Waadookawaad Amikwag (Those Who Help Beaver in Anishinaabe), used thermal imaging drones to discover the latest breach and believes there may be many more along the Line 3 corridor.
In related news, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has granted the Michigan Attorney General’s request to review a lower court’s decision in her lawsuit against Enbridge Energy, seeking to shut down its Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. The court will determine whether the case should be heard in state court or federal court. Freshwater Future will keep you updated as the situation progresses.
Several U.S. States Move to Block 3M’s $10.3 Billion PFAS Settlement
A group of 22 states and U.S. territories opposes a proposed $10.3 billion settlement with 3M over PFAS pollution known as “forever chemicals” in public water systems. The states claim the settlement falls short in addressing the extent of the harm caused by the chemicals, which are linked to health and environmental impacts and that the timeline of 13 years to test and treat is too limited. Freshwater Future shares these concerns, as recent reports from Minnesota estimate the cost of cleaning up PFAS contamination from the state’s drinking water systems alone will range from $14 billion to $28 billion over the next 20 years. They also raise concerns that the settlement could shift liability for future health issues caused by PFAS onto water systems themselves. Also out of Minnesota, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa recently filed a lawsuit against 3M and 23 other companies over water and fish contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
Great Coffee Starts with Clean Water – Buy a Lead Water Testing Kit and Get a Free Bag of Coffee from Superior Coffee Roasting Co.
Delicious coffee starts with clean water. Superior Coffee Roasting Co. in collaboration with Freshwater Future and the Flint Community Lab are offering a lead water testing kit for $40 with the added bonus of receiving a complimentary 12oz. bag of coffee. If you’ve never had your home’s tap water tested for lead, now is the perfect opportunity to take action! You can purchase the kit through Superior Coffee Roasting Co. The kit includes testing supplies, instructions, and a box with free return shipping to the Flint Community Lab where your water sample will be tested for lead. After analysis you will receive a report from the Flint Community Lab. Take advantage of this great deal to indulge in a great cup of coffee from Superior Coffee Roasting Co. and gain information about lead in your drinking water. To purchase a kit, click HERE now!
