Freshwater Future Staff News!
Freshwater Future is thrilled to welcome two new staff members! Shelby M., the Director of Development, will be leading our membership and fundraising programs. Our new Grants and Engagement Manager is Lindsey Taylor, who will be managing Freshwater Future’s Grants Programs and the Great Lakes Network! Alana Honaker was the Grants Coordinator and is now a Policy Program Manager. Visit our website to learn more about our new teammates!
It’s Construction Season: Take Precautions Against Lead in Drinking Water
As the summer ramps up, communities around the Great Lakes region are replacing lead water pipes or service lines. If a replacement is happening in your neighborhood or near you, it is important to take precautions to reduce your exposure to lead during the replacement process. Check out our digital booklet here, and visit our website for more. No Lead is Safe toolkit materials.
Flood Focus App Heading to New Orleans
Last week, Freshwater Future welcomed The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans to Detroit to share their expertise in engaging community members to address flooding and learn how Detroit residents are documenting and reducing flood risks. The visit included a tour of successful solutions neighborhoods have implemented to combat flooding. Special thank you to Manistique Community Tree House, Jefferson Chalmers Water Project, Feedom-Freedom Growers, and We the People of Detroit for their hospitality.
Canada’s First Nations Deserve the Right to Clean Water
The Chiefs of Ontario have concerns that the long overdue First Nations Clean Water Act (Bill C-37) “reflects a shift away from explicit recognition of First Nations rights” and does not go far enough to ensure source water protection. The lack of federal action has left dozens of First Nations, mostly in Ontario, without clean water for years, with some on drinking water advisories for decades. The bill also proposes nearly $5 billion over 5 years for improving First Nations’ drinking water. Freshwater Future will keep you updated on this issue.
Upcoming Events: Save Your Spot!
Basics of Nonprofit Financial Tracking
Tuesday, June 30, 12:00 pm (Eastern)
Join us to learn the basics of managing your nonprofit’s finances on Tuesday, June 30th, at Noon ET. This online session will review terminology and tips to help you track your income and expenses. Register for this practical and informative session today! Please note that we are no longer recording online events due to security concerns.
New Dates! Relax with Mindfulness and Movement
All are invited to this free, 45-minute guided session with Jonathan Relucio, an expert with over 20 years of experience. Join us to relax and restore each month, and please invite others! Can’t join? Registrants can access past session recordings here – contact alana@freshwaterfuture.org for the password.
Wednesday July 15, 11:30 am (Eastern)
Wednesday, August 19, 11:30 am (Eastern)
Wednesday, September 16, 11:30 am (Eastern)
Check out our current Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference
New! No Wastewater Permit for New Line 5 Underwater Oil Tunnel
The corporate owners of Line 5, which runs under the ecologically fragile and significant Straits of Mackinac, applied for a wastewater permit to start construction on an underground pipeline tunnel. A permit would allow them to dump millions of gallons of contaminated construction wastewater daily back into the Straits while also drilling a high-risk tunnel. Check your email on Monday for guidance on how to submit comments.
New! Pass the New York State Data Center Moratorium
In a huge win for communities, the New York state legislature passed a one-year moratorium on new massive AI data centers. Two weeks later, it’s still waiting for the Governor’s signature. Call (518-474-8390) or send a message to Governor Kathy Hochul today – Ask her to stand with New Yorkers and sign this bill!
Suggested messaging: “I am calling/writing to urge you to sign the one-year moratorium on massive data centers. New York communities deserve time to adopt laws that protect our environment, energy, and public health from these huge industrial developments.”
No Rollbacks to Michigan’s Wetlands and Clean Water Protections
Wetlands are critical as the first line of defense against flooding, for filtering and cleaning water, and for providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. As the federal government aggressively rolls back wetland protections, it’s critical to take a stand against similar actions in the states. Multiple bills that threaten wetland protection are currently under consideration in the Michigan legislature. Send a quick message to your state legislators today and ask them to OPPOSE these bills!
Pennsylvanians: Push for a Vote Before Legislators Leave Town & Support Public and Affordable Water
When water systems are privatized, customers’ water bills significantly increase while the shareholders of these for-profit water systems make huge profits. The passage of Act 12 a decade ago triggered increases in water system privatization across Pennsylvania, leaving impacted residents and communities to fight for affordable water rates, policy fixes ,and local oversight.
Use your voice today to support public water for all residents by urging your state legislators to pass the Public Water Protection and Fair Utility Transition Act. This law would not only repeal Act 12, but it would also pause all new water system takeovers for a year. It is an important first step to slow down the private takeover of public water utilities. Ensure this bill gets a vote and passes this year – send a quick message today with this form!