Michigan Lcv Newsletter – Summer 2006

Michigan League Update Michigan League of Conservation Voters

● 213 W. Liberty, Suite 300, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Summer/Fall 2006 ● Phone: 734.222.9650

● Fax: 734.222.9651

Inside this issue: •

Election Update

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Sulfide Mining

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Recent Donors

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A number of lawmakers were recognized for their 100% environmental voting records.

Legislative Awards Breakfast a Success! Make sure to visit our website: www.MichiganLCV.org •

Learn more about environmental issues

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Find out about upcoming Michigan LCV events

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Discover volunteer opportunities with Michigan LCV

Take Action! Sign up for the Michigan Action Project and make your voice heard through your computer.

For more details visit http://map. e-actionmax.org

It is rare, especially in an election year, to find Democrats and Republicans celebrating leadership in environmental protection together—but that is exactly what happened the morning of May 10th at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters 2006 Legislative Awards Breakfast. Sen. Bruce Patterson (R- Canton), Sen. Raymond Basham (D- Taylor), Rep. David Law (R- Commerce Twp.), and Rep. Marie Donigan (D- Royal Oak), each gave passionate acceptance speeches as awards were presented to them for their leadership on specific pieces of legislation. The awards were presented by past award recipients—Senator Brater and Representative Meisner—and Meridian Township Supervisor/ Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) America board member Susan McGillicuddy. The event was an opportunity for legislators, Michigan LCV members, lobbyists, and representatives of the private sector to come together to celebrate bi-partisan environmental protection. Many agree that preserving the beauty and health of our state should have little to do with partisan politics. The four honorees demonstrated the ability to rise above party lines to protect the beauty and bounty of our state. The Awards Breakfast was also accompanied by this year’s release of the Michigan Environmental Scorecard, which covers a range of policies for water, land management, trash, and air quality. In addition to the four lawmakers who were recognized for their outstanding work on specific pieces of legislation, 24 state lawmakers were recognized for their perfect 100% environmental voting records this legislative session. Please visit our website for a complete list of honorees and for pictures of the event.

2 2006 Michigan LCV Board of Directors Shari Pollesch President Irene Cahill Vice President Mike Newman Secretary Tony Infante Treasurer John Austin William Farr Marcia Gershenson Elizabeth Goodenough Michael Griffin Dr. Daniel Luria Robert Matthews Lana Pollack G. Hans Rentrop William Stough Chris Yates Michael Moore Director Emeritus Joan Wolfe Director Emeritus John Carver Director Emeritus Govenor and Helen Milliken Honorary Co-Chairs

2006 Michigan LCV Education Fund Board Mark Richardson President Tony Infante Vice President James Clift Secretary Tim Eder Treasurer Shari Pollesch

Protecting Michigan through the Polls Thoughts from our Executive Director Lisa Wozniak Just when you think an election season can’t get any more intense, temperatures soar into the 90’s with a heat index of over 100 degrees. Heat or no heat, the show must go on and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Michigan LCV) board and staff worked tirelessly in June and July to elevate the issue of the environment in the context of the elections and to elect strong pro-conservation candidates to office. I wish I could report that we emerged from the August 8 primary victorious on all fronts. I’m afraid I can’t. But, I can give you hope for the general election and information that may compel you to become even more involved in the Michigan LCV’s work. In 2006, one of Michigan LCV’s primary jobs is to elevate the issue of the environment in the minds of candidates and voters. This is tough work, but not impossible because a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand, especially in a state that touts tourism as its second most important economic pillar. Our majestic lakes and beaches, our forests and our vast array of state and national parks are a draw to prospective companies, residents and tourists alike. The citizens of this state know that we can build a better future for Michigan, one that protects our families and our natural resources and creates new, more permanent sources of economic growth. That said, the 2006 primary elections delivered an interesting array of opportunities for our organization. Term limits brought us races where six, eight, and even ten candidates were running for a single state House seat. Most of these multi-candidate races were Republican primaries on the west side of the state and Michigan LCV proudly jumped full force into one: the 89th State House District (Holland/Grand Haven) where candidate Jerry Hunsburger was the only candidate out of eight who proactively addressed conservation issues. Michigan LCV and Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) America both endorsed Mr. Hunsburger due to his strong

voice on water quality issues and other conservation concerns. As a resident of the 89th House District, Mr. Hunsburger has experienced first-hand what it is like to live downstream from a city where large storms don’t just bring increased river and lake levels, but often result in raw sewage dumped into the Grand River and, ultimately, into Lake Michigan. Mr. Hunsburger ran an extremely tough race. With the help of Michigan LCV, he knocked on almost 90% of the doors in the district and was very dedicated to making the environment a key component of his campaign. In fact, Mr. Hunsburger’s last piece of campaign literature focused solely on environmental issues. While Mr. Hunsburger did not prevail at the polls on August 8, the issue of the environment—especially clean water—was deeply integrated into the election. The media and the voters in the 89th district were made aware of the critical need to address issues like sewage overflows, and Michigan LCV plans to converse with winning candidate to encourage him to embrace these issues and take this message to Lansing on behalf of the constituency he is guaranteed to represent post November. This fall, we will continue our work to elevate the issue of the environment in the context of the elections. Our sister organization, Michigan LCV Education Fund, has invited Governor Granholm and Dick DeVos to participate in our second Gubernatorial Forum—A Forum on Michigan’s Future--in September, partnering with The Detroit Free Press and Michigan Public Media to offer the candidates the only forum opportunity with free statewide media. We will also continue to be deeply involved in electing strong pro-environment candidates to office in key districts throughout the state. Michigan is too beautiful NOT to protect, from her sugar-sand beaches and her Upper Peninsula waterfalls to the Great Lakes that envelop her. We need to move Michigan forward by taking back our state from Canadian trash haulers, international water brokers, and out-of-state mining companies; all threats to our quality of life and our health. Working together we can do so, because the citizens of Michigan know in their hearts that there is too much at risk.

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Sulfide Mining in the UP—a bad idea for everyone Nationally renowned author and others take on sulfide mining

Michigan LCV and LCV Education Fund Staff

Upon first glance, one might wonder why an author from Wisconsin is actively working to deny a permit to a mining company that has targeted a location near Lake Superior for a metallic-sulfide mine near Lake Superior.

Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director [email protected]

“If I were to sum up the entire situation in one headline it would read like this,” says Eric Hansen, “UP Waterfalls: Heritage Gems for our Grandchildren or Discharge Channels for Sulfide Mining?”

Brian Beauchamp Communications and Campaigns Manager [email protected]

Many Michigan citizens are asking this same question as we face the possible threat of a sulfide mine coming to the Upper Peninsula. Hansen, who is noted for his hiking guides in the UP, was recently honored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America for an article he wrote last summer on the coaster brook trout, a native Great Lakes fish that is currently being considered for federal protection as an endangered species. The last remaining breeding population of the coaster brook trout in Michigan spawn in the Salmon-Trout River, which is directly threatened by the proposed mine. Hansen, the Michigan LCV Education Fund, and others across the state have serious concerns about the devastation that a sulfide mine would cause to the region. These concerns are not unwarranted. Foreign-owned Kennecott Eagle Mining Company has a terrible track record: every other mine of this kind across the country has created acid runoff, which has threatened streams and the health of local economies and communities.

Becky Beauregard, Program Manager [email protected]

Kerry Duggan Program Specialist [email protected] Residents gather to protest mine pollution.

Allowing Kennecott to establish a sulfide mine, especially in this extremely fragile area in the U.P., would damage the environment, our state’s economy, and our Great Lakes quality of life. Michigan’s past may be in mining, but our future must be in creating jobs that protect our families and our natural resources and create new, more permanent sources of economic growth. Whether you live in the Lower or Upper Peninsula in Michigan, it’s clear that a sulfide mine is not in our state’s interest. It’s just not worth the risk.

The Bioneers (biological pioneers) is a “forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework.” This is the 5th year that the Great Lakes Regional satellite conference will be held in Traverse City. This is also the 2nd year that Detroit will host a satellite. (See www.sustainabledetroit.org/bioneers.)

Jim Carey Financial Systems Analyst [email protected] Sarah Neville Intern [email protected] Elizabeth Palazzola Intern [email protected]

To join Hansen and the Michigan LCV Ed Fund in opposing a sulfide mining operation in Michigan, go to our website, www.michiganlcv.org, and click on the News link. There you will find sample letters to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a wealth of information on the proposed mine. We encourage you to tell the DEQ why you don’t want Michigan to be the next state that suffers from the pollution caused by sulfide mining.

Great Lakes Bioneers Michigan LCV is proud to announce our partnership with the Great Lakes Bioneers Conference 2006! We encourage you to come, participate, and stop by our table!

Joy Strawser Special Projects Coordinator [email protected]

The conference runs Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22. The Bioneers Conference hosts a wide range of workshops, and involves sustainable businesses and local organizations. A variety of entertainment is planned, from film screenings and concerts to collaborative meals and art displays. The workshops are open to all and childcare is provided. For more information call (800) 220-1415 or visit their website at www.glbconference.org.

Interns Elizabeth and Sarah tabling at an event in Lansing.

Michigan LCV staff and volunteers have been touring the state and getting the word out on our organization and conservation issues at local events all summer long. We would love to come visit your town and talk to people about the work we are doing. Please contact our office to let us know if we can come visit your area of the state.

4 Michigan LCV finds success in working with Enviro-friendly candidates! Not only does Michigan LCV work during the legislative session to push for strong environmental legislation in Lansing, we also work to ensure that environmental lawmakers are voted into office in the first place. This election season Michigan LCV is working across the state on a number of different races—both Democratic and Republican—to get out the vote and elect pro-conservation candidates into office. To learn more about the elections work that we are doing, please feel free to call us or check our website. Executive Director Lisa Wozniak speaks at a press conference announcing MI LCV’s endorsements of State House candidates Kathy Angerer (HD 55) and Kate Ebli (HD 56).

Would you like to become a member of Michigan League of Conservation Voters?

YES! I would like to help elect conservation-minded leaders and make the environment a priority with Michigan’s elected officials and voters. $5000+ Conservation Champion $4999- $1000 Conservation Corps $999- $250 Conservation Circle

MI LCV Staff at a fundraiser in Ann Arbor.

Raising Funds & Having Fun!

Michigan LCV has hosted a series of successful fundraisers this summer, including an event at the Arbor Brewing Company. We want to thank everyone who helped to organize and host the events, joined us, or helped out with a gift so we could meet our fundraising goals. If you or anyone you know would like to host a Michigan LCV fundraiser, either at your home or somewhere in your community, please contact Brian in our Ann Arbor office.

$100- $249 $25- $99

Contributor Member

How to Support Michigan LCV- Frequently Asked Questions: What is the best way to financially support Michigan LCV’s work? Begin by making a contribution to become a member of Michigan LCV. This money will go into our 501c (4) account. Once you are a member of our 501c (4), you are encouraged to donate to our Political Action Committee (PAC). PAC contributions, which must be publicly disclosed, are the most useful and flexible funds Michigan LCV can accept. We urge our supporters to give to the PAC each year, especially in election years. Because of our political work, all gifts to Michigan LCV are nontax deductible. Can Michigan LCV accept funds from a corporation or family foundation? Because donations to Michigan LCV support political action, we do not accept contributions from corporations except as sponsorship for specific events. We encourage foundations to contribute to the Michigan LCV Education Fund, which is a 501c (3) organization working to educate voters about critical environmental issues.

We would like to thank all of our members for their generosity! Our most recent donors: Cathy Allen Representative Kathy Angerer Lizabeth Ardisana Bruce Ashley James & Doris August John Austin Edgar Balcueva Mary & E. Lawrence Barcella Jane Barney Jay Barnhart John Bassett Linda & Mark Battison Brian Beauchamp Paul Beauregard Charles Benson Janice Berry Lee Berry Rosina Bierbaum Joan Binkow Douglas & Sandra Bitonti Stewart Brent Blackwelder Janis Bobrin Ronald Bogdasarian Richard Borer Terry Braciszewski Theresa Brennan Mary & Donald Brown Bunyan Bryant & Jean Carlberg Deborah Buckland Jonathan & Gertrude Buckley Kenneth Burchfield Thomas Butts Reprensentative Pam Byrnes & R. Kent Brown John & Irene Cahill Susan Cannell Joseph Capuano, Jr. Robert & Patricia Carrico John Carroll John & Patricia Carver Dennis Cawthorne Amy Chapman & John Freeman Fred Charbonneau Steve Chester James Clift Ralph & Joyce Cobb Marion Collier Drs. Claire & Michael Colman Kay Cornell Michael & Rebecca Cottrell Catherine Curran Halle Czechowski Kelly Dardzinski Ed & Ellie Davidson Lois Debacker Dana Debel

Peter DeLano Dan DelZoppo Paul Dimond Stanley & Elizabeth Dole Joanne Douglass James & Cathie Dries Kerry Duggan Wendell Dunbar Rebecca Dunkle Steve & Janine Easter Peter C. Eckstein Jeff & Lou Ann Eder Robert Eleveld John Ester Dan Farough Greg Farr William & K.C. Farr Representative Barbara Farrah Thomas Fehsenfeld Karen & Bill Fix Molly Flanagan Barbara & Nelson Fuller Mary Jane Gallagher Albert & Karen Gallup Robert & Elizabeth Garner Friederike & Dennis Gast Marcia Gershenson Representative John Gleason Meg Goebel Timothy Good Elizabeth Goodenough & Gil Leaf Christopher & Elaine Graham Ralph Graham Leigh Greden Matt & Renee Greff Chris Grubb R.E. & Patricia Haan Noah & Jennifer Hall Pat Harrington Jay Harris Sarah Heddon Robert Hess Peter & Henrietta Heydon Phillip Hoffman, Jr. James & Nancy Honchell John Hunting Tony Infante David Irani Mitch Irwin Win & Kyle Irwin Senator Gilda Jacobs Julie Johanningsmeier Alan Kadrofske Riyaz Kanji Dr. Charles & Linda Kehr Douglas Kelley Peter Kelley Sue Kelly

William Kemner Martha Kern Timothy Killeen Bryon Krukowski James & Barbara Kurbel William & Marietta Kusey Joe & Bobbie Kutkuhn Dixie & William Lahti Andrew Lakatos Paula Leinbach Marlene Leistico Manny Lentine Richard & Carol Leyshock Kathryn Loomis & Jeff Irwin Dan Luria & Janet Loesche Kate Madigan Donald Mann Kenneth Martens Barry Matthews Robert Matthews Jim Maturen Peter McCurdy Carol McGeehan William McGibbon Fred McLane Patrick McLean Shirley McNally Brett McRae Fred & Deb Meadows Steketee Rich Miller Governor William and Helen Milliken Mitch Mitchell Mike and Drew Moore Gordon & Vernie Nethercut Joan Newberry Thomas & Jill Newhouse Mike Newman Nichole Nice-Petersen John & Gwen Nystuen Frederick Oeflein Maury Okun & Tina Topalian Dr. William & Joan Olsen Gerhard & Margaretha Olving Janice Onder Dr. Robert Oneal Rebecca Kylie Osten Jeffrey Padden David Park Richard L. Patterson William & Shirley Patterson George & Barbara Perkins Don Inman & Virginia Pierce Mark Pingrey H. Rhett & Jeralyn Pinsky John Pollack Lana and Henry Pollack Shari and Roger Pollesch Stanley Pruss

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Simon & Phyllissa Ren Bethany Renfer & Matt Flechter Sue & Gary Rentrop G. Hans Rentrop Mark Richardson John Richter Joseph& Dorothy Rink Kenneth J. Robinson David & Patricia Rogers John & Debbie Rohe Kenneth Rosenman Kathryn Ross Richard & Esther Ross Bill & Brenda Rustem June Rusten David Saffer Norris & Faith Sanders Barbara Schmid & Jay Stielstra Richard & Lewellyn Schwikert Dan Scripps Mahesh Sharma & Sulekha Patel Nancy Shiffler Cynthia Shogan P. Robert Shranger Mike & Rebecca Shriberg Pat Shure Karen & Dick Siegel Conan Smith & Rebekah Warren Phyllis Smith Tara Spoon Mary Stadel Kate Stewart Charles & Beatrice Stone William Stough & Patricia Wilson Dennis Swanson Todd Tennis Gerald & Kay Thiede Nathan Triplett Mark Van Putten Rich VanderVeen Rebecca Vaughan Albert Ventro Curt Vogel John & Kathy Vogt Bruce Wallace Henry & Nathalie Waterkamp Francis Weigle Ari Weinzweig Larry Willey Tom & Anne Woiwode Melinda Wolf Warren & Shirley Wolfe Will & Joan Wolfe Kathryn Wozniak Tom Zieziul Richard & Constance Zimmermann

6 Ann Arbor Office: 213 W. Liberty Street Suite 300 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone (734) 222-9650 Fax (734) 222-9651

The 2005-2006 Michigan Environmental Scorecard is now available! The Scorecard covers a range of policies for water, land management, trash, and air quality. The votes were chosen because of their broad impact on our economy, health, and quality of life, and because they presented a clear choice for our leaders to uphold the conservation values shared by the citizens of Michigan.

Lansing Office: 119 Pere Marquette Suite 3B Lansing, MI 48912 Phone: (517) 485-8200 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.MichiganLCV.org

Address Change? Please help us stay updated by sending any mailing or e-mail address changes to [email protected]

Scorecards were mailed out to members in the early summer. If you did not receive a Scorecard or would like additional Scorecards to give to your family and friends, please call the office at (734) 222-9650 or view the Scorecard online at www.MichiganLCV.org.

MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 213 W. LIBERTY, SUITE 300 ANN ARBOR, MI 48104

CUSTOMER NAME STREET ADDRESS ADDRESS 2 CITY, ST ZIP CODE

We’re on the Web! Visit us at: MichiganLCV.org