Fednav et al., v. Steven E. Chester (MI DEQ)

Nov 21: In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Case No. 07-2083. In the case of Fednav et al., v. Steven E. Chester, et al, the Appeals Court unanimously upheld the U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Southern Division decision of Judge John Feikens [Case No. 07-11116, See WIMS 8/16/07] that ruled that Michigan's Ballast Water Statute, Mich. Comp. Laws § 324.3112(6), is constitutional. The case challenging the Michigan law was brought by nine shipping companies and associations. Defendants in the case were Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Director Steven Chester and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. Four environmental and conservation organizations intervened in the case supporting the State's position including: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC); Alliance for the Great Lakes (Alliance); National Wildlife Federation (NWF); and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). . .

Access the complete article on the WIMS Environmental Appeals Court Blog (click here).

Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Annual Meeting

Dec 2: The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) has released the Agenda and Call-in information for the GLRC's Annual Meeting on December 10, 2008 from 10 AM to noon CST. The Agenda includes information on background and progress to date and will cover a brief review of stakeholder involvement process and a brief update on GLRC Initiatives (full descriptions are available online at the website below).

Access the complete Agenda with call in information, and additional instructions for participation (click here). Access the GLRC website for links to updates on initiatives and additional information (click here).