Garret M. Ellison

Kalamazoo

Environment Reporter at MLive

Michigan journalist covering the environment, natural resources and the Great Lakes for @MLive, @GRPress & @Kzoo_Gazette

Articles

Controversy engulfs ambitious new Muskegon Lake waterfront development

6 days ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

MUSKEGON, MI — It was a windy, rainy day on May 1, 2023, when politicians, developers, chamber members, state officials and others gathered for a ceremonial dirt toss to celebrate the groundbreaking of Adelaide Pointe. Those headwinds proved prophetic for developer Ryan Leestma.
Trump’s impact in Michigan: 5 takeaways after 100 days

1 week ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

Believe it or not, President Donald Trump has only been president again for just over 100 days. Yet, his impact on Michigan in that short time has been significant. Protests have become increasingly frequent as the Trump administration cuts budgets, programs, services and staff at dizzying speed in an effort to slash the federal government and centralize power over what it sees as a bloated bureaucracy.
Huron River polluter Tribar fined $200k for 2022 hexchrome spill

1 week ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

WIXOM, MI — An auto supplier which sparked an uproar in 2022 by releasing 10,000 gallons of toxic wastewater into a municipal sewer system connected to the Huron River has been sentenced to pay a $200,000 federal criminal fine. On April 29, Tribar Technologies was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Detroit following a December plea deal struck with federal prosecutors, who charged the electroplating company with violating the Clean Water Act in September.
Tariffs, layoffs, immigration: Michigan feels impact of Trump’s first 100 days

1 week ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

KALAMAZOO, MI — An $18.9 million federal grant would do a world of economic good in the struggling core city neighborhoods around downtown Kalamazoo. The money — a fraction what it takes to build just one of the $97 million apiece F-15EX fighter jets coming to Macomb County — would improve housing, upgrade community centers and train residents in construction, electrical and home repair skills.
Illinois governor still awaiting Trump guarantee on $1.15B for invasive carp

2 weeks ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Garret M. Ellison

Share SPRINGFIELD, IL — J.B. Pritzker doesn’t appear very reassured by President Donald Trump’s pledge to “ save Lake Michigan ” from invasive silver and bighead carp. The Illinois governor, a Democrat and outspoken Trump critic, said he’s still awaiting written guarantees that the federal government will, in fact, fund the $1.15 billion project to block invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
Illinois governor still awaiting Trump guarantee on $1.15B for invasive carp

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

SPRINGFIELD, IL — J.B. Pritzker doesn’t appear very reassured by President Donald Trump’s pledge to “save Lake Michigan” from invasive silver and bighead carp. The Illinois governor, a Democrat and outspoken Trump critic, said he’s still awaiting written guarantees that the federal government will, in fact, fund the $1.15 billion project to block invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
Severe cuts at NOAA would kill Great Lakes data buoy network

3 weeks ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

ANN ARBOR, MI — Severe cuts proposed at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would shutter a Great Lakes data network that which aids fishermen and helps forecast threats to beaches and drinking water intakes. The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is facing potential shutdown of its real-time data network of buoys and meteorological towers under a fiscal 2026 Trump administration budget proposal that cuts roughly $1.6 billion from the agency.
Quicksand swallows man at Michigan beach near harbor dredging

3 weeks ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

LELAND, MI — It was a date they’ll never forget. Mitchell O’Brien and Breanne Sika were hunting for Leland blue stones and planning to catch the sunset over Lake Michigan when the beach tried to eat O’Brien for dinner. One moment, O’Brien was walking normally on hard wet sand at the waterline. The next, he was sunk up to his waistline. “Man, I was stuck, stuck — like, my left leg, I couldn’t move it. It’s like there was something holding it underground.
Army Corps puts Enbridge Line 5 tunnel permitting on fast-track

4 weeks ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

DETROIT, MI — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to finish its environmental review of the proposed Enbridge oil pipeline tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac on a truncated timetable for energy projects ordered by the president. On a Wednesday, April 16 call with reporters, Army Corps officials said a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) would be published “approximately in the June timeframe” ahead of a final permitting decision on the tunnel project.
Army Corps balks at testing Michigan harbor sediments for pollution

1 month ago | mlive.com | Garret M. Ellison

GRAND HAVEN, MI — Bulk freighters regularly delight onlookers as they pass between the Grand Haven pierheads to deliver limestone, slag and trap rock needed to make concrete and asphalt for Michigan road construction. Those freighters need a harbor channel deep enough to reach the Verplank Dock up the Grand River in Ferrysburg, where the bulk aggregates are unloaded into large piles.