FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
Michigan’s leading environmental groups today applauded Governor Rick Snyder on using his first veto since taking office to strike down House Bill 4326. This bill would have stripped the authority of Michigan’s governor to protect the Great Lakes and the other natural resources that inspired the Pure Michigan campaign and are so vital to the lives and livelihoods of Michiganders.
“This sends a simple message: Governor Snyder thinks the Great Lakes are worth protecting, and the Michigan Legislature does not,” said Mike Berkowitz of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “We are extremely encouraged to see Governor Snyder veto this short-sighted folly.”
The state Legislature sent HB 4326 to the Governor’s desk right before the Thanksgiving break. The bill would have prohibited the state’s governor from adopting any rule stricter than a federal standard unless authorized by the Legislature.
“Michiganders have always been united in protecting our spectacular lakes,” said Cyndi Roper of Clean Water Action. “It’s mystifying why the majority of our legislators would voluntarily throw out a valuable tool for safeguarding Michigan’s water. We are encouraged to see that in this instance Governor Snyder does not agree with the Legislature’s interest in undercutting Great Lakes protections.”
A number of key environmental groups opposed the bill, including Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Clean Water Action, the Ecology Center, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Environmental Council, and the BlueGreen Alliance. Many labor groups also staunchly opposed HB 4326.
“We are counting on Governor Snyder’s leadership in future efforts to preserve our state’s right to protect the Great Lakes and Michigan’s other natural resources” said Alexis Blizman of the Ecology Center. “We urge Governor Snyder to continue to uphold the promises he made during his campaign, and not roll back important environmental protections.”
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Contact:
Mike Berkowitz, Michigan Sierra Club: 248-345-9808
Alexis Blizman, Ecology Center: 248-535-4235
Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Action: 517-490-1394
Rachel Hood, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, 616-451-3051 x24
Eric Steen, BlueGreen Alliance, 612-466-4488