Residents in parts of two Michigan counties are told to avoid “all contact” with Huron River water due to “several thousand gallons” of liquid containing a carcinogen from Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom, the plant behind a previous spill involving PFAS.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan's environment for Bridge Michigan, with a focus on the Great Lakes, climate change, industrial pollution, water quality and wildlife. She joined Bridge in March 2020 after reporting for the Oregonian, where her coverage earned national honors and sparked efforts to better protect Oregon's natural resources. Kelly holds a master's degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University.
Kelly grew up in Harrison and is based in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan PFAS activists urge bolder action at fed hearing in East Lansing
Activists want federal military and environmental regulators to better regulate cancer-causing PFAS chemicals, including at military sites such as Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, where the military has been accused of foot dragging.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
On Higgins Lake, distrust and old grudges cloud septic debate
Scientists say the lake is being fouled by faulty septics. But a plan to install sewers has reopened old wounds between owners of expensive lakefront homes and back-lot property owners.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Researchers race to understand what lies beneath the Great Lakes
Information used to map the Great Lakes lakebottom is so sparse in some areas, you could hide entire cities in the space between data points. By methodically “mowing the lawn” with sonar-equipped boats, researchers are filling in the gaps.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan anglers fear fishing deal with tribes could hurt their interests
Recreational and charter fishing groups filed a request Wednesday seeking a seat at the table as Michigan regulators negotiate with five tribes over fishing rights.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
On Isle Royale, fate of summer cabins pits nature against family history
Isle Royale’s historic cabins were sold to the U.S. government generations ago, but a series of deals allowed family descendants to continue to use them. Now, the park service is debating which cabins to keep, and whether to open them to the public.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Benton Harbor lead levels continue to decline, new samples show
The latest round of city water samples shows a slight dip in average lead levels, and efforts to remove lead pipes from the city water system are running ahead-of-schedule.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Regulators: No Enbridge Line 5 tunnel decision without more safety info
The Michigan Public Service Commission voted to collect more evidence on safety and explosion risks before deciding whether to grant the Canadian energy company a key permit to begin the tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
U.S. Supreme Court limits climate action, but Michigan aims to stay course
The 6-3 ruling hinders federal efforts to regulate carbon emissions in U.S. power plants. But environmentalists and utilities say the state’s 2016 reforms of energy law will help Michigan continue its shift away from fossil fuels.
Posted inMichigan Government
Supreme Court: Flint water indictments against Rick Snyder, others invalid
The Michigan Supreme Court unanimously rejected the use of a one-judge grand jury by Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office to indict the ex-governor and other Flint water crisis defendants. Snyder’s lawyers blasted prosecutors as “vindictive.”
