“Only through the EPA’s strong new protections from toxic mercury can we reduce mercury levels quickly and decisively. As a resident of the Great Lakes State, I believe we deserve these protections despite the rhetoric currently espoused by protection dissenters,” said Lance Weyeneth, Board Member of Anglers of the Au Sable.

Now is the time to be ramping up our efforts to address pollution, such as mercury, not rolling them back.  And for us in the Great Lakes region, we truly know the importance of protecting our lakes and everything that lives in them.

To read more of Lance’s editorial, click here.

TAKE ACTION to make sure the Environmental Protection Agency sets strong standards for mercury pollution!

Joan Picone gives a presentation on the history of the Clean Air Act at Stark State College, Ohio

Why would Congress seek to weaken the Clean Air Act?  Do Members of Congress really believe we have too much clean air?  These were some of the questions asked by concerned citizens last night at the National Wildlife Federation’s Clean Air Act forums in Michigan and Ohio.

Wildlife enthusiasts, public health advocates, small businesses, and community members all gathered to learn about the successful 40 year track record of the Clean Air Act and how they can take action to protect it from attacks in Congress.

Public health experts at the Ohio event discussed the critical role the Clean Air Act plays in protecting communities from air pollution:

“There is a definite correlation between air pollution and serious health problems,” said Dr. William Cutshall of Stark State College Respiratory Care Program.  “Not to mention that the health care costs of air pollution total roughly $50 billion each year in this nation.”

While in Michigan, anglers discussed the importance of the Clean Air Act in reducing mercury contamination in fish:

“The outdoor reaction industry plays such a vital role in Michigan.  Not only in terms of the dollars tourism brings into the state, but also in terms of protecting our hunting and fishing legacy,” commented Dayle Harrison, President of Kalamazoo River Protection Association and lifelong Michigan angler.

In this video, Rob Sisson – President of Republicans for Environmental Protection – welcomes the audience in Kalamazoo, Michigan and explains the important role of the Clean Air Act:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The audience left both events reinvigorated to write letters to the editor, make phone calls, and share the new information with friends and family.

You can help too!  Take action to help protect wildlife and keep the Clean Air Act working for years to come.

While some Members of Congress are deciding whether or not to end oil subsidies, advocates like Representative Barton, make it well known where they stand.

After watching the BP catastrophe in the Gulf and the Enbridge disaster in Michigan, it’s hard to believe there is anyone left to defend spending billions of taxpayer dollars on these companies. Not to mention Exxon, an industry leader in record profits.

And if that wasn’t enough, Exxon was just let off the hook for $100 million of promised clean-up funds for the mess they made in Alaska.

Oiled rocks from the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska.

It’s time for Congress to stop standing up for polluters and begin standing up for a clean energy economy. Our wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities cannot endure the damage caused by oil spills. Let your Member of Congress know you care, by taking action.

Send a petition in support of clean air, clean energy, and wildlife!

Ohio activists rally outside of Congressman Stivers' office

Thirty individuals carrying signs with slogans that included “It’s Only Fair We Have Clean Air,” and “Congressman Stivers Opposes Clean Air?” lined the busy street for an hour chanting and engaging with those who passed by.

Some supporters wore surgical masks demonstrating the fact that they will need protection from the dirty air that could result from passage of this bill.  The NBC affiliate station for Columbus was on hand to do an on-camera interview and capture the enthusiasm of the advocates.

Call your Congressional Member today to express your disapproval of the attack on clean air, wetlands and wildlife!

By casting a vote in favor of the proposed Continuing Resolution in the US House, Congressman Stivers (OH-15) supported a sneak attack on clean air, wetlands and wildlife.

He and many other Congressional Members used the Continuing Resolution budget bill to force the adoption of an amendment prohibiting the EPA from limiting carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act.

“Congressman Stivers turned his back on the health of Ohioans and the wildlife habitats we cherish by supporting a bill that slashes funding for programs that protect clean air, clean water and wildlife,” said Tracy Sabetta, Ohio Outreach Coordinator for NWF.

Following the rally, NWF activists and clean air advocates piled into the district office to present handmade cards with personal messages for Congressman Stivers.

An Ohio activist rallies outside of the Congressman's office for clean air

Keep our air clean! Activists wear masks illustrating the dangers of dirty air

Oiled muskrat after Michigan oil spill, April 2010

I’m a Michigan native, and even I was shocked to read the news today that we have 11,000 contaminated toxic hotspots & little money to clean them up:

Experts say the state is at a crossroads: It has more than 11,000 contaminated sites and leaky underground storage tanks, many without owners, and can’t keep using Band-Aids to fix them. [...]

The state is out of money from two voter-approved bond issues that were used to clean up contamination for the last 22 years.

One of my first thoughts was, how many are in my backyard? And my next thought was, how many people know about this?

For the last few decades, Michigan has been using quick-fix approaches to clean and restore these sites. But sadly, at a time when we need to have big solutions to fix this problem, we’re left with even fewer resources to do it. The Detroit Free Press did a full page spread, illustrating the need for an all hands-on-deck approach.

What’s the solution for this massive undertaking? Some conservation groups believe a 3/8 cent sales tax is a good start. Over 25 years, this fund would provide millions of dollars for environmental protection & cleanups. It’s critical for the health of our natural resources, Great Lakes, people & wildlife that we participate in the discussion to find a solution.

I can’t imagine reading another headline in 20 years that says “Michigan has 25,000 toxic spots, with no money for cleanup.” Can you?