Freshwater Future Weekly: January 30, 2026
United by Our Shared Voices
Over the 30 years we’ve been dedicated to helping the Great Lakes community protect and restore their waters, we’ve come to realize something truly inspiring: the passion and caring of residents for their neighborhoods and neighbors is incredibly important and heroic. Without their voice for others, including our natural environment, our world would be a much different place.
Freshwater Future recognizes all our local heroes who stand up daily in their neighborhoods and for their neighbors to say our voices will not be silenced. The death of Alex Pretti, who was trying to protect his neighbors, will create ripples throughout our communities that ensure our future generations can speak for their waters, air, land, and people. We pause today to remember Alex and Renee, and to stand with the residents of Minnesota.
Request for Proposals: Spring Grant Cycle Now Open
Freshwater Future is requesting project proposals for our Spring Grant cycle! Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for their water advocacy work for funding up to $5,000. Not sure if your project is a good fit? Read more on our grants webpage, which includes a map of all previously funded projects and frequently asked questions. You can also call or email Alana at (231) 348-8200 ext. 6 or [email protected] to learn more!
Your Input is Needed: Help Us Determine Learning Sessions and Workshops for 2026 (Deadline Extended to Feb 9)
Strong, community organizations, like yours, are essential for protecting and improving drinking water and surface waters in the Great Lakes region. Please fill out this short survey to let us know what topics you would like to learn about to help your organization continue its valuable water work. Deadline extended until February 9, 2026.
Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference
Speak out to Protect Waterways from Federal Deregulation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to limit the ability of states and Tribes to review and veto federal permits under the Clean Water Act that threaten local waterways. By cutting out critical stakeholders and environmental reviews, it will be easier than ever for corporations to pollute our waters. Use Freshwater Future’s form and customize your comment to add your own experience and concerns. Note that the EPA is not likely to consider comments without personalization. Comment closes Tuesday, February 17th.
Indiana Residents – New Urgent Action to State Representatives
The Indiana State Senate just quickly passed a bill that dismantles the state’s environmental agency in favor of corporate polluters, and the Indiana State House will vote soon on Senate Bill 277. Your support and voice are needed NOW to stop the passage of a bill that puts all Hoosiers’ health at risk, including the safety of residents’ water from source to tap. With this form, send a message to your state representative as soon as possible, and please share this with your fellow residents!
Industrial Development Continues to Threaten Clean Water and Sovereignty of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation
Nestled between Lakes Erie and Ontario, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and their allies are again pushing back on a new, larger plan for three data centers at the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park, also known as STAMP. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation and allies scored a temporary legal victory last October when the development company withdrew its application and the economic development agency retracted its project approvals after allegations of environmental review violations. Unfortunately, the new proposal is significantly larger in size, 2.2 million square feet, and closer to the reservation. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation and its allies are now requesting that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation take over as the lead agency and conduct a thorough environmental review.
Win! Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules in Favor of the Chester Water Authority
Customers of the Chester Water Authority are celebrating last week’s Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that prevents the sale of the water system to a for-profit corporation by the state-appointed receiver. This is a huge win for keeping water affordable, local control, and local oversight of water systems. Because the Chester Water Authority serves customers across two counties and multiple municipalities, the court decided it cannot be sold off by the City of Chester without the other board members’ approval. Coming off this victory, anti-water privatization advocates in Pennsylvania are energized to take on this year’s opportunity to phase out Act 12. This 2016 law, open to renewal or phase-out this year, opened the floodgates to water system take-overs by private corporations and caused water bills to skyrocket.