December 2011: Sights Set on Public Lands
Unfortunately, there appears to be a growing indifference, if not outright hostility, in the state Legislature in relation to conservation issues. This is a seismic shift because over time, while water, air and health protections have ebbed and flowed in terms of their support in Lansing, land issues have traditionally held steady support due to the large number of hunters, anglers and sportsmen/women throughout the state. The 2010 election brought a different mindset to our state’s capitol.
The December First Friday Focus on the Environment brings this challenge to the forefront as WEMU Morning Host David Fair and I explore the situation—and associated threats—with Kent Wood who serves as Legislative Affairs Manager at the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. Recently celebrating their 70th anniversary, MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Through tens of thousands of individual members and members through hundreds of affiliated clubs, MUCC works to accomplish its mission of uniting citizens to Conserve Michigan’s natural Resources and protect our outdoor heritage.
Among the things we discuss: Governor Synder’s first veto, which was cast in an effort to protect our Great Lakes and world class natural resources; Senate Bill 248, otherwise known as the “land cap bill”; and (SJR Q and SB 822, which basically propose to fund Logging and mining roads with money from the Natural Resources Trust Fund.