The Stream, February 7, 2020: Canada Dismisses First Nations Objections to Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline Expansion
The Global Rundown
Canada‘s federal court rejects First Nations challenges to an expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. Wolverine World Wide and Michigan authorities are set to finalize a $69.5 million settlement over PFAS contamination in Western Michigan. The heaviest rainfall in two years hits parts of New South Wales, Australia. Missouri sues the U.S. Department of the Interior over a water diversion project in North Dakota. United Kingdom residents urge the government to clean up waterways.
“There are hundreds of swimming spots in rivers that have been used for generations in this country, and it is unacceptable that water quality isn’t monitored there. That is now putting people’s health at risk.” –Theo Thomas, chief executive of campaign group London Waterkeeper, in reference to pollution in UK waterways. Thomas and other activists are pushing for certain sections of the Thames and other waterways to be designated as bathing water. The designation would force the country’s Environment Agency to crack down on the legal discharge of sewage into waterways. The Guardian
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By The Numbers
$69.5 million Size of a settlement over PFAS contamination agreed to by Wolverine World Wide in December. On Monday, the shoe manufacturer and Michigan authorities entered a consent decree to finalize the agreement. The money will go toward connecting residents whose wells have been contaminated to safe water supplies. Reuters
In context: From Michigan to the Nation — A Groundwater Emergency.
Science, Studies, and Reports
The Canadian federal court dismissed four challenges put forth by British Columbian First Nations that were an attempt to stop expansion of the controversial Trans Mountain oil pipeline. First Nations leaders have 60 days to appeal the decision, but in the meantime, expansion of the pipeline, which the federal government purchased in 2018, can move forward. The Guardian
On the Radar
On Tuesday, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation over a water diversion project in North Dakota. The lawsuit asserts that the project could have detrimental effects on water levels in the Missouri River. Reuters
Some of the heaviest rains in two years are deluging parts of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The storms are extinguishing bushfires, but experts say several months of sustained precipitation are needed to alleviate the country’s long-standing drought. BBC
In context: Rain Alleviates Bushfires in Australia, but Threatens Waterways.
Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter
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