ENVIRONMENT

"What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

~ Henry David Thoreau        

"Protecting our important resources is our generation's job to ensure the future for our children and their children.There are many issues related to the environment, but they must be balanced to achieve a future where our air, waters and countryside are clean," -- Mike Huckleberry.

In 2004, "Huck" hosted the first ever Blue-Green Rally at the Steelworkers' Hall in Midland. He recognized then that more and more Michigan citizens realize that "improving the environment doesn't cost jobs -- it creates jobs."

While Huck certainly fights to keep existing jobs and create and attract new jobs, he insists he will not do so at the expense of our environment. "We will not allow industries to pollute our air and our water " says Huck.

Huck also believes that we have to maintain the integrity of our Great Lakes watershed. He opposes diverting that water, even though, some would argue, we could create temporary jobs by selling off our precious resource. "I say we stand to gain more for the future by inviting tourists and businesses to enjoy our clean water right here," says Huck.

Huck also ardently supports the many farmers in Montcalm, Ionia and Michigan who take prudent steps to keep their surrounding areas green and safe. He also supports a consistent state enforcement program that is fair to the environment and to the farmers. (It is the inconsistency in Michigan's role that is most often mentioned by Huck's farming friends -- both small family farms and the larger farms in our region.) Huckleberry has singled out those farmers that practice state-of-the-art environmental protection and sustainable practices.

One of the important platforms here is the development of Alternative and Renewable Energy. "I have long supported this approach to the future, and actively advocate wind and solar power development," says Huck. Please see the Greenville Daily News "Viewpoint"

Huckleberry applauds the many organizations which campaign for Michigan's environment and have enjoyed working with them on river cleanups, in challenging polluters and in educating our citizens. He also thanks them for their past support and recognition. In particular, Huck has worked with/supported the Clean Water Fund, the Lone Tree Council, the Mid-Michigan and West Michigan Environmental Action Councils, the Sierra Club and the Michigan Environmental Council. (For more on them, visit: www.environmentalcouncil.org )

The above two important points serve as the foundation of "Clean Water, Clean Energy -- a proposal for protecting and powering Michigan. See the website above for more information.

Sportsmen play an important role here too. Michigan has a rich history of thoughtful, community-minded fishermen and hunters. They see the woods and waters as important to their recreation and, in some cases, livliehoods. Huck also encourages these friends' continued support of Michigan's environmental efforts.

"Michigan's environmental health is critical to our citizens' health and our long-term economic well-being," says Mike "Huck" Huckleberry. "We will not sacrifice our future by destroying our environment for short-term gain. Polluters must pay and restore quickly!"