ST. JOSEPH (WKZO AM/FM) — A Coalition of area environmental groups is calling on Congressman Fred Upton to stand up for Mother Nature and oppose attempts by the Trump Administration to eviscerate the Environmental Protection Agency.
Representatives from Moms Clean Air Force, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, staged a media event outside Upton’s St. Joseph Field Office to condemn the administration for its plan to slash the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s budget and staffing, which would hobble the agency and its mission to protect Michiganders from dangerous pollution.
Kevin Haight said “When looking at water quality issues, it is extremely important to take the long view. Tremendous gains in water quality have been achieved since the passage of the Clean Water Act in the 1970’s. But if we relax our vigilance and allow funding cuts to the Great Lakes or the E.P.A., we will soon be back to the dismal conditions of the 1960’s when stories about polluted lakes and fouled beaches dominated the news. As residents of the Great Lakes Basin, we are stewards of 20% of the entire world supply of fresh water and thus owe a duty to people everywhere to protect this incredible natural resource.”
Speakers called on Congressman Upton to protect Michiganders’ health and economy. They say President Trump and EPA Administrator Pruitt’s EPA budget cuts would drastically cut funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was designed to protect the Great Lakes from the danger of pollution and invasive species.
Yesterday a Congressional committee included the Great Lakes Funding Initiative in their proposed budget for next year.
Participating in the event were Kelly Nichols with the Moms Clean Air Force, American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 President Michael Mikulka. Former director of the S.W. Michigan Land Conservancy Kevin Haight, and Shannon Sykes with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters also spoke.
