Save the Holy Waters!

From Anglers of the Au Sable:

We need your help to protect the Holy Waters

Once again, the Au Sable is under threat of new oil and gas drilling.

In October, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources auctioned nearly 2,800 acres in and near the Au Sable Holy Waters corridor (between the Whirlpool and Thendara) for potential oil and gas development. Most leases were purchased by Encana, the Canadian company which is using massive amounts of water for deep-fracking wells in the Manistee River basin. A number of these proposed leases could allow surface wells, pumping stations, and pipelines.

There’s one more opportunity to stop this. A few minutes of your time could really help.
While the auction is complete, the final decision on whether or not to finalize the leases will come on December 12. Before that comes to pass, please let DNR Director Keith Creagh know that you support leaving the Holy Waters undeveloped.

Personalized letters are best. Form letters are not helpful.

You can write to: DNR Director Keith Creagh
Executive Division
PO Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909.

Or you can send an email to DNR-Director@michigan.gov. Please do not call on the telephone as this will simply overwhelm and alienate DNR staff. 

Anglers of the Au Sable is helping coordinate this campaign. If you copy info@ausableanglers.org on your communication to Director Creagh, Anglers will hand-deliver all comments to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on December 12 where the final decision on the leases will be made.

Please be polite but direct. Tell the DNR:

You are opposed to any drilling near the Holy Waters.
You believe this piece of river to be a special place, worthy of special protections.
You will be watching closely on December 12 to see if the DNR will protect the Holy Waters.

A growing chorus is asking DNR Director Creagh to cancel the auction of these parcels, including Michigan Trout Unlimited (and its Mason-Griffith and Headwaters Chapters), the Great Lakes Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association, North Branch Foundation, Au Sable Watershed Restoration Committee, Au Sable Property Owners Association, the Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club.

Make your voice heard. Protect the Holy Waters.