Metro Times reports, “Two state representatives say they’ll introduce a resolution opposing approval of Nestle Waters North America’s plans to withdraw tens of millions of more gallons of water from Michigan.”
The article adds, “The resolution, to be introduced by state Reps. Terry J. Sabo (D-Muskegon) and Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park), urges Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to reject Nestle Waters’ request to increase the amount of water pumped out of the ground at their PW 101 well north of Evart in Osceola Township. For this privilege, Nestle would pay the state of Michigan $200.”
The well is located about 520 metres north of the headwaters of Chippewa Creek and 4 kilometres east of Twin Creek, both tributaries of the Muskegon River. In their permit application Nestle claims that average water levels in Twin and Chippewa creeks would “decline only minimally” and that while “an incremental effect of the proposed increased withdrawal on wetland water levels may occur in five wetlands, [it] is not expected to cause adverse ecological effects.”
While Nestle’s claim does not reassure, the Metro Times article also highlights, “Environmental activists cite a host of problems with the well pumping as it is, including disappearing fish species, loss of habitat, and drawdowns in surface water flow. They also argue that the application is flawed, not just with incorrect flow data, but with incorrect control data that has water running uphill. Thanks to their efforts, MDEQ is now in the process of seeking much more information from Nestle.”
And the article notes, “In late February, Michigan environmentalists presented the MDEQ with a 345,000-signature petition against Nestle at the Michigan Capitol.”
The Council of Canadians stands in solidarity with the opposition to Nestle bottled-water takings in Michigan.
Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow will be speaking against the transnational corporation’s global water-taking operations at a public forum in Flint, Michigan in June. Stay tuned for details on that in the coming weeks.
Nestle’s Ice Mountain plant, where the water taken from Osceolo Township would be bottled, is situated about 190 kilometres northwest of Flint.
Flint’s drinking water supply became contaminated with lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money. It had been accessing its drinking water through the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, but Flint’s emergency manager, appointed by the state, ordered the city to draw its water from the long-polluted and corrosive Flint River to save about $5 million. Flint returned to Detroit’s system after a year, but there are concerns that the damage to the pipes continues to leach lead. Exposure to lead can cause serious health issues in children and adults.
The Council of Canadians also has this ongoing campaign against Nestle bottled-water takings in Ontario and British Columbia.
To date, 51,762 people have signed our Boycott Nestle petition.
#BoycottNestle
