Drilling Our Conservation Heritage: The Future of Oil and Gas Drilling on Michigan’s Public Lands 8/28/2008

From the western dunes to the northern forests, Michigan’s natural landscapes provide us with unique beauty, recreation, and ecological value. Unfortunately, oil and gas drilling poses an increasing threat to these treasured lands. Leaks from drilling sites can leave soil and groundwater contaminated with hazardous waste, and new pipelines and roads for drilling sites can disrupt the places Michigan’s wildlife call home. Already, hundreds of thousands of acres of state land are open to drilling and as oil and gas prices reach new heights, industry lobbyists are pressing Lansing decision-makers to open tens of thousands of new acres to exploration and production every year.

Using Water Wisely: Southwest Data Shows the Promise of Efficiency 8/06/2008

Water is a precious commodity in the Southwest, yet the rate of water consumption outstrips natural supply. Rapid population growth, excessive water consumption, water pollution, and years of drought have depleted the Southwest’s natural water reserves and put the region at greater risk of a water crisis. Without a dramatic change from business as usual, the Southwest’s water scarcity problem will only get worse.