The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working on an update to the plan that guides management decisions over 4.6 million acres of public lands. Here’s what to expect.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Q&A: What Michigan’s move to shut down Enbridge Line 5 means
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered the Line 5 pipeline shut down by May, but those involved in Michigan’s pipeline debate said they’re expecting a lengthy legal battle before the pipeline’s fate is settled. Here’s what we know now.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Whitmer orders Enbridge Line 5 shutdown, citing easement violations
Citing violations of a 1953 easement that gives Enbridge permission to operate its petroleum pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday announced that Enbridge must shut the pipeline down by May.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Q & A: The Great Lakes are stressed. Climate change is making it worse.
The lead author of a new report sheds light on how climate change, invasive species, nutrient pollution and other Great Lakes problems are interacting in ways that make the lakes’ health even worse…or in some cases, not quite as bad.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Loved to death: Iconic Michigan lakeshores battered by crowds, waste
National parklands at Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes are overrun by traffic, hikers, trash and failing septic systems. Record crowds outpace stagnant federal funding, leaving park rangers feeling helpless.
Posted inMichigan Government
Democratic wins shift power balance on Michigan Supreme Court
Wins for Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Grand Rapids attorney Elizabeth Welch have shifted the ideological makeup of Michigan’s high court from a 4-3 conservative majority to a 4-3 majority of justices nominated by Democrats.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan voters approve Proposal 1, changing rules for parks funding
Proposal 1, a statewide ballot measure to remove a $500 million cap on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and give fund managers more flexibility in how they spend trust fund dollars, passed resoundingly.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gray wolves, now off endangered list, may be targeted by Michigan farmers
If the federal change is upheld, farmers will have more leeway to kill wolves preying on livestock. But legal wolf hunts won’t be sanctioned, for now. Here is what to expect if the state takes control of the gray wolf population.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan officials warn of ‘despicable’ robocalls in Flint to confuse voters
Officials sound alarms about calls reminding people to vote on Wednesday, a day after polls close. Turnout in the city is up, though, with few other problems reported.
Posted inMichigan Government
Your Michigan Election Day 2020 voting toolkit: know the candidates, issues
Presidential politics may dominate the news, but Michigan’s ballot will include a host of races you might not know much about. Here is your last-minute research guide for those down-ballot races.