Michigan City sustainability commission unanimously signs on to National Wildlife Federation opposition to proposed WOTUS rule

At its Jan. 8 meeting, the Michigan City Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to sign on, as a commission, to a National Wildlife Federation letter opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps proposed rulemaking that would alter the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.

The motion presented to the commission characterized the proposed rule as one that "will dramatically weaken the Clean Water Act protections for the nation's waters and give developers and polluters additional unwarranted license to degrade our nation's waterways," and noted potential harm to Lake Michigan and Great Lakes waters. A member moved the signature, another seconded, and the commission approved the action by voice vote.

Commissioners encouraged individuals also to sign as private citizens; the commission's formal sign‑on will be coordinated by officers who had previously consulted on the letter. No roll‑call of individual votes was recorded in the transcript; the chair announced the motion "passes unanimously." The commission did not attach additional conditions or amendments to the signature during the meeting.

Next steps: the commission secretary will circulate the letter and instructions for individual sign‑ons to members.