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		Proposed Action Plan (continued from previous page) (2) Persuade the DNR to conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement on Antrim Shale development, and prepare Hydrocarbon Development Plans for the nine watersheds. The EIS would replace a poorly executed and generally ignored environmental assessment for Antrim development the DNR conducted in 1992. • In testimony, open letters, and private correspondence, urge members of the Natural Resources Commission to order the preparation of an EIS. • Call for a moratorium on all Antrim drilling until the EIS is completed. This would include time to include the findings from the public comment period. • Maintain an ongoing MERC presence at Natural Resources Commission meetings to support the above proposals. • Work with DNR foresters, wildlife biologists, and fisheries biologists to design and execute the EIS. (3) Convince the DEQto accept the hydrocarbon development planning strategy for sensitive watersheds, and to work with the DNR, the Legislature, and citizens groups to put it into effect. The DEQ's well-permitting authority and oversight responsibilities for oil and gas development must be a part of this overall program. • Work with the Attorney General and legislative leaders to make certain that the DEQ fulfills its statutory obligations. That is, the DEQ is mandated to protect the environment by "preventing waste" due to natural resource development. (See "State Laws That Affect Oil and Gas Development" on page 31.) • Clearly point out to DEQ officials that adopting hydrocarbon development plans will enable them to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of drilling proposals. This is a goal the agency has publicly supported in recent years. (4) Urge major energy companies-- Shell Oil, Michigan Consolidated, and Consumers Power -- and the Michigan Oil & Gas Association to join with citizens groups and local governments in reducing damage from Antrim development by instituting new energy development plans. (5) Invite supportive lawmakersto work with the state, the industry, and public interest organizations to draw up new policy reforms. (6) Gain public hearingsat the Department of Natural Resources and in committees of the state House and Senate on hydrocarbon development planning. Such hearings would: • Educate lawmakers and members of the Capitol press corps. • Build momentum in the Legislature for the passage of a bill that implements hydrocarbon development planning. (7) Maintain an ongoing, well-informed, and persistent media presence. • Keep television, radio, newspapers, and magazines up-to-date by writing fact sheets and press releases. • Publish perceptive articles in the Great Lakes Bulletin, the Michigan Land Use Institute's quarterly magazine that serves as a tip sheet for journalists across the state. • Publish articles in the newsletters of other environmental and conservation groups. • Work with journalists and the editorial boards of major newspapers to disseminate the message statewide, and build a running story in the media. (8) Organize public meetingsin communities across the state to build a large constituency for change. • Work with MERC partner groups, local governments, and other public interest organizations to design a meeting curriculum. • Establish a schedule for meetings throughout the Lower Peninsula. • Recruit speakers. • Publish public educational materials. (9) Refine a fund-raising strategy to support this extensive project. • Identify institutional funders and donors interested in investing in a land use and watershed protection project of statewide significance. •Assure a steady source of government funding for DNR and DEQ staffers to work on the program. (10) Work with state officials and the oil and gas industryto write a new hydrocarbon development plan for the Jordan River watershed. The Jordan Valley plan would serve as a template for establishing the energy development plans for the eight other threatened watersheds. •••••••