When one thinks of a pristine, natural river, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many in northwestern Michigan, that would be the Jordan River. From its remarkable scenic vistas in the hills of its headwaters, to the eagles and ospreys along the wide, marshy spreads of its mouth, the Jordan River fits that description perfectly. In fact, it was designated as Michigan’s first Natural River in 1972. Paddlers on the Jordan River can enjoy an entire day floating over the river’s crystal-clear waters, surrounded by endless balsam firs, birches, and cedars. Nay a trip has ever been made without sighting elusive fish under the ripples, timid wildlife behind the brush of the banks, and majestic birds flying the river corridor.  Hikers in the Jordan River Valley can stretch their legs in the 18+ hilly miles of the Jordan River Pathway, managed by the Department of Natural Resources and North Country Trail Association. Wild leeks cover the ground as the trail winds through upland forests of white spruce, maple, beech, and ash. The trail descends fast clear streams and hillsides to go through lowlands of black spruce, balsam fir, and white cedar with black, organic soils and chirping frogs. It goes along the River, along tributaries, natural springs coming out of the hills, and along a flooding caused by beaver dams.  Although the upper sections of the Jordan River have some current and ripples in the water, the river slows and spreads out near the mouth. This area, called the Jordan River Spreads, contains hundreds of acres of marshes and wetlands; basically a freshwater estuary. Herons, egrets, and other waterbirds wade through the rushes, sedges, and cattails of the expansive emergent marshes. The City of East Jordan is located just outside of the Spreads. 

Meteorologists are warning that we’re on track for another record-breaking season—just like 2020—when multiple hurricanes and tropical storms formed on the same day. Decades of climate research is clear: Big Oil’s emissions are raising sea surface temperatures, making storms more destructive than ever. Hurricane Beryl shattered records as the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic. It knocked out power for millions of people in Texas, during a deadly heatwave that claimed dozens of lives. The costs are staggering—up to $32 billion in damage—yet the fossil fuel industry continues to dodge responsibility for their role in creating these climate-fueled disasters. They profit, we pay. Some states have already taken bold action. In May, Vermont passed the Climate Superfund Act, becoming the first state in history to force Big Oil to pay for the damage their emissions have caused. And they aren’t alone. New York has passed its own Climate Superfund Act, and more states are following their lead. Now, it’s time for Congress to step up and pass federal legislation that will force these billionaire polluters to pay for the climate disasters they’ve fueled. American taxpayers are crushed by the costs of rebuilding homes, communities, and lives, all while Big Oil pollutes our planet and rakes in record profits. It’s time they’re held accountable. Sign the petition to demand Congress pass the Make Polluters Pay Act and force Big Oil to take responsibility for the destruction they’ve caused!

Please, join our campaign to protect Salt Springs because together, we can ensure the preservation of this natural sanctuary for future generations. By standing united, we amplify our voice, making it more likely that authorities will address our concerns, protect the environment, and maintain the beauty and integrity of our community’s cherished landmark.

Our elected officials need to see that North Glastonbury residents also need their representation and protection. 

If unaddressed, this issue can create a severe imbalance in the natural setting of Louisville, CO. I am urging you to join me in demanding that the City Council of Louisville, CO promptly approve the necessary capital to replace the faulty liner of the Coal Creek Golf Course pond. When we preserve our green spaces, we preserve our town's charm and biodiversity. Please, sign this petition today.

SpaceX's illegal discharges of pollutants and failed flight tests have caused significant environmental damage, including damaging vital wildlife habitats and contributing to elevated mercury levels in local waterways. Despite repeated warnings from the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SpaceX continues to evade accountability and bypass proper permitting processes.  Last year, a failed SpaceX test flight’s explosion ignited a 3.5 acre fire through neighboring state park land, damaging nesting and migration sites for local endangered species. After this failure, Musk pushed for another test flight on a rushed timeline, evading the permitting process that would require SpaceX to meet pollutant discharge limits and outline a wastewater treatment plan. It’s clear Elon Musk and SpaceX view environmental protection standards as an obstacle rather than a necessary safeguard, and would rather prioritize profits over legal responsibility.  Sign the petition to demand that the EPA and the FAA hold Elon Musk and SpaceX accountable for their pollution and to review SpaceX's permitting processes. Corporate polluters like SpaceX are not allowed to disregard the health of local communities and wildlife in favor of profit!

As Vice President, Kamala Harris has been an integral part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to conservation. In 2023, the Administration enacted the most significant protection of the Boundary Waters in 40 years!  As current Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz recognizes that the Boundary Waters is a very special place and the crown jewel of the upper Midwest, and he can back that up with many of his very own trips to Canoe Country. Under Governor Walz’s administration relevant agencies have followed the processes and laws, advancing state-level protections for the Wilderness. Trump claims he will win Minnesota and thinks campaigning on this issue (opening the Boundary Waters region to copper mining) will help him, but he’s wrong. Minnesotans and Boundary Waters defenders all around the country understand what is at stake for Canoe Country and America’s wild places in 2024 and we are committing to work to elect Boundary Waters Champions at every level of government. Former President Donald Trump has, and would again, reject science, the law, and overwhelming public support to open the Boundary Waters headwaters to toxic mining to benefit a giant Chilean mining company owned by the richest family in Chile.  The alarming right-wing policy blueprint for a second Trump term - called “Project 2025”- specifically lists overturning the mining ban near the Boundary Waters.  The fate of America's most visited wilderness area is in our hands. The decisions we make in this election will determine whether we protect or endanger the Boundary Waters. We must work to elect Boundary Waters Champions at all levels of government. www.BoundaryWatersAction.org

Our community has the right to know how new projects will impact us and the right to live in a clean and peaceful environment. 

Please join me in getting the town of Union and the village of Endicott’s attention on these pressing issues. We can’t keep living this way!!

This would be a very effective change of course for this property.   * Funding: Sen Chuck Schumer was instrumental in securing over $3.4+million dollars for this facility's upgrade. A small part of this very public funding could be used/offset as thanks for this funding/generosity and the continued confidence in Central Hudson's use/management of what are very public waterways.  *Community Investments: Central Hudson, along with its parent company Fortis, have made very public their intentions for continued community investment projects. This could be one such project that is already within their ownership! They own the land, a large portion of it is already used for recreation purposes (for CH employees only currently), and as state above - very generous public funding has been made available - earmarked for this location. Local town/County partnerships could easily ensure this type of property's upkeep and maintenance - if not existing maintenance that is already in place.  *Safety: Over the years there have been some really close calls with some people fishing - walking along, parking along the highway there. Kids are fishing there all the time and love it! Its time to consider allowing for more accessible means of enjoying this waterway and addressing a known safety issue too!  * Not just for residents, but Central Hudson customers!:  These aren't strangers. The people who live in this are (currently over 180,000 Ulster County residents) are Central Hudson customers. 

Over the past several years we have all watched Global Warming become Climate Change, and now we find ourselves in a full Climate Crisis.  Sea levels are rising and destroying homes and property.  Tropical superstorms are ravaging the coastal states, including New England.  Expanded and prolonged forest fires sweep across the continent.  We must act in every possible way to reduce our Carbon Footprint, and to provide climate resiliancy.  And we must act N.O.W.!

Local governance is a time honored American tradition.  Local governments know what is needed and what is best for their communities.  HB 2127 is extreme government overreach and should be repealed.