Group Praises Water Ruling

waterruling
waterruling

Despite a legal victory against a major corporation, some environmental and community groups are not letting their guard down when it comes to protecting Michigan’s water. The Michigan Court of Appeals last week ruled Osceola Township had the right to deny a zoning permit to Nestle for a booster station to increase water extraction. The company had argued that local zoning officials were improperly influenced by public opposition. However, Peggy Case with Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation says the court ruled that elected officials should be sensitive to residents’ concerns.

“It’s a beautiful ruling on democracy, on the rights of citizens to actually elect the people that they want and expect them to perform on their behalf.”

The court also stated it was “erroneous” of the circuit court to rule Nestle’s water-bottling operation is an essential public service. The company wants to increase pumping rates at its Evart well from 150 to 200 gallons per minute to more than 400 gallons per minute.