Our Platform

Great Lakes, Great Michigan Campaign

The Great Lakes, Great Michigan campaign supports legislative and regulatory proposals that would achieve the following goals:

1. Affirm the Public Trust nature of all waters

Clearly state that all waters are held in trust for the public. That includes surface water, wetlands, streams and groundwater; all of which are vital to the health of our economy, drinking water supply, recreation and ecosystems.

2. Prevent damage to water and wetlands

Protection for water resources must acknowledge that ecosystems function as a unit; their health depends on the interrelationship of streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater. Therefore, state laws must ensure protection of the system as a whole.

3. Conserve

Large water users should be required to use water efficiently and evaluate conservation measures to protect water resources from the uncertainties of drought, climate change and overuse.

4. Permit

Large-scale water users must be carefully examined to assess their impact on a river or stream. Any new water bottling plant should also be carefully examined, and the impacts on its neighbors studied and approved only if the public is truly protected.  Lastly, our water resources need to be carefully monitored and permits modified if unexpected impacts begin to occur.

5. Involve the Community

Public participation and input into water use decisions must be elevated. Local actions and voices must figure prominently into decisions.

6. Restore

The Great Lakes will only truly be protected when all users join in efforts to protect it and restore degraded waterways. Permit holders must take part in restoration efforts with quantifiable outcomes.