Rivers At Risk

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IMAGE imgs/rivrisk31.gif

Conclusion

Ayoung elk in the
Pigeon River Country.

For nearly a decade, northern Michigan has been the scene of high-intensity drilling and industrial
development for Antrim Shale gas. Driven by improvements in technology, generous federal and state
subsidies, and passive state regulators, the gas industry continues to expand its production territory.
Now the industry is ready to march into the remaining wild areas of the northern Lower Peninsula.
The Engler Administration, and senior officials of the DEQ, assert that the gas rush has been
well-managed. The facts do not support such a view. With Antrim development, the unceasing north woods
struggle between encouraging sound land management principles and discouraging exploitation has tilted the
wrong way.
In 1980, the Department of Natural Resources, the energy industry, and the environmental community
reached a historic agreement for developing oil and gas in sensitive environments. The Pigeon River
Hydrocarbon Development Plan proved to be a breakthrough in public policy. It minimized environmental
damage, even as it allowed development of sizable oil and gas reserves.
It is time to revive the hydrocarbon development planning model in Michigan, and institute it in seven
watersheds threatened by Antrim development. Those watersheds are drained by the Au Sable, Betsie,
Boardman, Jordan, Upper Manistee, Sturgeon, and Thunder Bay rivers. In addition, the existing Pigeon River
Plan should be extended to areas of the Black and Pigeon river watersheds that are not protected.
The intent is not to stop exploration for hydrocarbon resources. Rather it is to give the dual priorities of
environmental protection and resource development equal weight.
The opportunity to enact such plans is available now.The state's mismanagement of the Antrim
development has become a top public policy issue in northern Michigan, and its visibility has increased
significantly in Lansing.
The Michigan Land Use Institute is proposing a 10-point action plan for state agencies, the Legislature,
local governments, and public interest organizations. The Michigan Land Use Institute and its MERC member
organizations urge that it be reviewed carefully by state government officials and the Legislature, and
implemented without delay.
•••••••

***
The intent is not to
stop exploration for
hydrocarbon resources.
Rather it is to give
the dual priorities
of environmental
protection and
resource development
equal weight.
***

IMAGE imgs/rivrisk32.gif

Asign outside the Pigeon River Country State Forest headquarters, located east
of Vanderbilt, sums up the achievable balance pioneered in Michigan.




Conclusion
			Ayoung elk in the Pigeon River Country.
	For nearly a decade, northern Michigan has been the scene of high-intensity drilling and industrial development for Antrim Shale gas. Driven by improvements in technology, generous federal and state subsidies, and passive state regulators, the gas industry continues to expand its production territory. Now the industry is ready to march into the remaining wild areas of the northern Lower Peninsula. The Engler Administration, and senior officials of the DEQ, assert that the gas rush has been well-managed. The facts do not support such a view. With Antrim development, the unceasing north woods struggle between encouraging sound land management principles and discouraging exploitation has tilted the wrong way. In 1980, the Department of Natural Resources, the energy industry, and the environmental community reached a historic agreement for developing oil and gas in sensitive environments. The Pigeon River Hydrocarbon Development Plan proved to be a breakthrough in public policy. It minimized environmental damage, even as it allowed development of sizable oil and gas reserves. It is time to revive the hydrocarbon development planning model in Michigan, and institute it in seven watersheds threatened by Antrim development. Those watersheds are drained by the Au Sable, Betsie, Boardman, Jordan, Upper Manistee, Sturgeon, and Thunder Bay rivers. In addition, the existing Pigeon River Plan should be extended to areas of the Black and Pigeon river watersheds that are not protected. The intent is not to stop exploration for hydrocarbon resources. Rather it is to give the dual priorities of environmental protection and resource development equal weight. The opportunity to enact such plans is available now.The state's mismanagement of the Antrim development has become a top public policy issue in northern Michigan, and its visibility has increased significantly in Lansing. The Michigan Land Use Institute is proposing a 10-point action plan for state agencies, the Legislature, local governments, and public interest organizations. The Michigan Land Use Institute and its MERC member organizations urge that it be reviewed carefully by state government officials and the Legislature, and implemented without delay. •••••••
				* The intent is not to stop exploration for hydrocarbon resources. Rather it is to give the dual priorities of environmental protection and resource development equal weight. *

		Asign outside the Pigeon River Country State Forest headquarters, located east of Vanderbilt, sums up the achievable balance pioneered in Michigan.