Legal experts say the state has broad discretion to take action to protect the Great Lakes from environmental harm. Enbridge’s willingness to fight Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s shutdown order may depend on its ability to keep the oil flowing during litigation.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan politicians ran on water problems. Activists want money for fixes.
Water advocates say they plan to push state and federal lawmakers for more funding to address PFAS, lead line replacement, and other water issues. But the COVID-19 crisis could make budget dollars scarce.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
City of Flint, McLaren join water crisis settlement, bringing pot to $641M
Three new defendants have signed onto a preliminary settlement tied to the Flint water crisis and a judge is reviewing the agreement, bringing residents one step closer to financial compensation for the manmade catastrophe.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Great Lakes pummel Michigan, beach towns rush to set development rules
Facing widespread coastal damage amid record high water levels, some lakeshore communities are rethinking policies that allowed people to build too close to the water.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Five themes to watch as Michigan reconsiders its use of public lands
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.
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 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.