In 1968, Mayor Henry Maier called the Milwaukee River “an almost dead artery.” A year later, in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River, fouled by industrial pollution, caught fire. Even in our nation’s capital, the Potomac River was so dangerous, falling in required a tetanus shot.
Earlier this week, the U.S. EPA released four drinking water health advisories for the dangerous class of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The advisory levels set by the EPA are low—0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS—and make a strong statement that PFAS are dangerous for human health at any level.
Earlier this week, the U.S. EPA released four drinking water health advisories for the dangerous class of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The advisory levels set by the EPA are low—0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS—and make a strong statement that PFAS are dangerous for human health at any level.
Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline carries 22 million gallons of light and synthetic crude oil and natural gas every day from Lake Superior to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, through the Straits of Mackinac to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, ultimately crossing the St. Clair River to Sarnia, Ontario. The pipeline, originally constructed in 1953, has outlived its expected lifespan.
Please ask Governor Evers to VETO SB900, which attempts to remove waterfront land from the public trust in violation of the state constitution. The bill is a threat to open, inclusive and equitable access to the Great Lakes and treasured waters of the state.