News & Fun in Michigan
Environment News feature stories and posts dealing with environmental concerns of the Great Lakes, Michigan and Upper Thumb region. This included Water Quality and Pollution in the upper Great Lakes.
Check our environmental news posts from those highlighted below.
Senator Sean McCann is proposing an expansion of Michigan’s bottle deposit law, originally established in 1976, to include all beverage containers under one gallon. This initiative seeks to enhance recycling and reduce litter while maintaining the ten-cent deposit. If approved, a public vote will occur in 2026, potentially leading to significant environmental benefits.
Concern about climate change in Michigan has reached the point where business areas are being impacted. The effect on business costs will be in the billions.
Here are six critical areas of concern.
Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, is threatening oak trees in Michigan, particularly red oaks. Experts advise winter pruning to minimize infection risk, as the high-risk period runs from April 15 to July 15. Damage during this time can spread the disease, highlighting the need for proactive tree care.
A new study warns that in regions like Appalachia, flood risks are amplified by poverty and climate change denial. Researchers call for urgent action to avoid further disasters.
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources has completed a significant mineral rights exchange with Keweenaw Land Association, consolidating 8,392 acres beneath Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This deal balances park conservation with economic mineral exploration, enhancing protection while granting access to valuable resources like copper and gold across the Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan DNR has allocated $1.5 million for fisheries habitat conservation, sparking concerns from various groups. While the funding prioritizes sportfish species like bass and trout, native whitefish preservation appears neglected. This has prompted calls for a more inclusive conservation approach, advocating for focused funding and collaboration to address the challenges facing whitefish and maintain ecological balance and economic sustainability.
The EPA and the State of Michigan designated the entire region as a potential environmental disaster. The deterioration and pollution were so bad that the label of “Area of Concern” was slapped on the Saginaw Bay in 1987 and has not been lifted for 30 years. We examine what has happened in that time.
Does Michigan have a future for commericial fishing? Michigan’s legislative showdown with House Bills No. 5108 and No. 5553 shaping the future of the Great Lakes. Will economic growth sink sustainability, or can harmony be found in Michigan’s waters? Read more about the clash between commerce and conservation rocking Michigan’s boats.
