Freshwater Future Hero Spotlight: Kofi Osei – Towamencin, Pennsylvania
Kofi Osei’s journey from advocate to township supervisor has made him a key leader in the fight against water privatization in Towamencin, Pennsylvania. Kofi’s efforts helped drive a grassroots movement to rewrite the township charter banning the privatization of water, wastewater, and stormwater services and ensuring long-term protections for the community’s water infrastructure. Read more about our Freshwater Heroes’ inspiring stories in our most recent newsletter HERE.
UPDATED ACTION: Stand with Protect the Porkies: No Taxpayer Dollars for the Copperwood Mine – Again!
It turns out that the corporation seeking to open a sulfide mine next to and beneath Porcupine Mountains State Park is pushing two identical grants in Michigan’s state budget: the SOAR grant, which advocates successfully stopped twice last year, and a new $50 million corporate handout disguised as a community benefit grant for local Wakefield Township. This 11-year mine, located just upstream from Lake Superior, would produce massive amounts of toxic waste in a pristine wilderness area. Send a quick message to the Michigan Legislative Appropriations Committees explaining why the Copperwood Mine project doesn’t deserve our tax dollars.
Great Lakes Water Levels at Lowest in Over a Decade
According to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ data, despite water levels rising due to normal seasonal changes, all Great Lakes’ levels are below their 2024 averages by up to 8 inches. While a record low is not predicted for this year, current lake levels are close to reaching historic lows. Extreme low or high levels often associated with droughts or heavier precipitation levels, respectively, are occurring more frequently due to climate change. Low lake levels can negatively impact boat access to marinas that may be too shallow, leading to a decline in tourism along coastal areas. Lower water levels also cause wetlands to dry up, impacting fisheries and ecosystems.
