State Representative Dan Scripps (Leland) has announced his intent to promote legislation in an effort to protect all of Michigan’s water from pollution while affirming that all water “including lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. . . should be clearly defined as a public resource, giving them the same protections against privatization as the Great Lakes and all surface water.”
State Representative Dan Scripps
Speaking in Glen Arbor, on September 2, Scripps said, “We’re surrounded by 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, and with that blessing comes an incredible responsibility.
“We must act as responsible stewards of our waters and preserve our lakes, rivers and beaches for future generations. Our waters are not only part of our heritage, but a key part of creating and protecting thousands of jobs across Northwest Michigan and a cornerstone of Michigan’s tourism industry.”
According to an article at Michigan Messenger, the proposed legislation would also “restore citizen standing under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act so that all citizens can sue to stop environmental damage.”
In a 2007 case, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation v. Nestle, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against a state law that affords citizens legal standing to sue over environmental threats. Scripps’ bill intends to reaffirm every citizen’s right to protect public water.
“This legislation will erase any doubt that the waters of Michigan belong to the citizens of Michigan,” Scripps said, “and that Michigan citizens must continue to have a say in protecting this resource.”
“Our state relies on healthy waters to sustain jobs in our three largest industries,” Scripps said.
“We need to protect these jobs as we work to pull Michigan out of this economic slump. But this plan is about more than that. The Great Lakes are part of what makes us who we are here in Michigan. They’re a defining part of our state – Michigan’s crown jewels – and that’s a history and legacy we must fight to preserve.”
LSMN
Eve Divine
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