The power of local zoning for river protection, how a changing climate affects Huron River flows, Earth Overshoot Day, 2017 and updates on two Michigan pipelines in this edition of News to Us.
Does zoning matter? It does to Michigan’s natural rivers. Like the Huron River, the Flat River is another designated Natural River in Michigan. Learn about the importance of local zoning and ordinances to river protection. Many of the approaches highlighted in this article are those we encourage in Huron River communities. We have lot of power at the local level to protect natural resources.
High Water: Climate change hits home. This article discusses how patterns in rainfall are changing in the Huron River watershed and how that can impact the river system. Learn more in HRWC’s short film.
We Will Soon Be Using More Than The Earth Can Provide. Every year the Global Footprint Network computes Earth Overshoot Day. This is the day each year that people have used as much of the planet’s resources (water, fertile soils, forest, fish, etc.) that it can regenerate in a year. After that we are borrowing from the future. August 2nd will mark Earth Overshoot day for 2017. The article innumerates four critical priorities that if acted upon would bring us very close to being in balance with what our planet can provide.
There are two pipelines in different phases of development that are set to run through the Huron River watershed. The Rover Pipeline runs through western Washtenaw County crossing the Huron at Portage Creek and runs near many of that areas lakes. The Nexus pipeline affects Wayne County residents and is currently slated to cross the Huron at Belleville Lake. Here are a couple of the latest news headlines on these pipelines.
Silver Lake Residents File Motion
Opponents of NEXUS Pipeline set town hall meeting
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