House Votes to Reject the New Clean Water Act Rule Protecting Waterways
This week, the House voted 227-198 to repeal the Biden administration’s protections for small waterways and wetlands, which industry groups have argued are overly burdensome to businesses. The Clean Water Restoration Rule serves as an important safeguard for our nation’s wetlands and streams, which are important for preventing flooding, filtering pollution, contributing to drinking water supply, and sustaining aquatic life. The resolution is expected to be voted on by the Senate next week, with Biden anticipated to veto it if it passes.
Now’s The Time: Spring Project Grant Applications Due March 31st
Are you working on a water issue that needs funding? Freshwater Future’s Spring Project Grant deadline is fast approaching on March 31st! We recommend that all those interested in applying first call Freshwater Future staff to share more about your idea for submitting a project grant proposal. The Project Grants provide funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) for grassroots projects that promote water protection through advocacy efforts. Contact Laurie Breighner, laurie@freshwaterfuture.org or (231)348-8200 ext. 107, 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 https://freshwaterfuture.org/grant-programs/. You can also view the recording of our recent Q&A grant webinar.
Race is Sold Out – But You Can Still Support Freshwater Future at the Big House 5k Race Freshwater Future is one of the beneficiaries of the Michigan Athletics’ 2023 Big House 5k Race on April 16th, 2023. Ten thousand people registered to run, and the race is now sold out! But you can still be a part of the race by donating to the Freshwater Future Team Page. We are excited to have three of our very own, Ann Baughman, Kristen Haitaian and Anna Bunting (all University of Michigan alumni), running for Freshwater Future. See the video below to meet one of our runners, our Program Co-Director Anna Bunting.
Tribal Members Dispute Report Findings Citing Company’s History of Environmental Spills
Tribal environmental advocates are disputing report findings after a Canadian energy company hired a private firm to run a risk assessment on the proposed new 30-inch pipeline that would run 41 miles around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation. Despite the report finding no obvious risks, Line 5 has released more than 1 million gallons of oil and gas in over 30 spills. Tribal members and environmental advocates are speaking out against the report, stating that they don’t trust the report’s data or science. Freshwater Future stands with the tribal members and other opponents who are calling for a more comprehensive review by the company due to its history with past spills. This review is necessary as the Wisconsin DNR prepares a final environmental impact statement.
Valuing Clean Water Connects Us, But Disinformation is Trying to Force Divides
Across the political and geographic sector, people agree that safeguarding our rivers, lakes, wetlands, and sources of clean drinking water is a top priority. But some industries that benefit from weaker regulations are spreading disinformation about clean water. This article by our partners at Earth Justice dispels some common clean water myths. At Freshwater Future, our main priority is to safeguard the waters of the Great Lakes Region and ensure that communities have access to clean and safe drinking water. The important work we do becomes more challenging when disinformation is spread.
