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State land bank supports urban garden plots
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Abandoned urban land no longer generating tax revenue could produce food. The State Land Bank is brokering leases for urban gardens on vacant lots.
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Environmental groups push state for diesel filters
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Environmental groups want all Michigan diesel trucks, buses and construction vehicles to catch exhaust pollutants with a filter. They say diesel pollution can cause 443 deaths and 57,000 missed work days in Michigan.
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Mass transit plans confront financial realities
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Southeast Michigan officials plan to encourage residents to use mass transit. A significant hurdle is a $1.8 billion shortfall to match reality with plans. A study ranks the region among the lowest for having money for transit projects.
Air
Lung group says Michigan should inspect car exhaust
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Michigan doesn’t require the inspection of vehicle exhaust systems. That is unlike Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Michigan’s air quality meets federal standards for ozone, a pollutant created in part by car exhaust.
Wildlife
Property owners, farmers go hog-wild over feral pigs
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Feral pigs are an increasing environmental problem in the Great Lakes region. They can dig up ground a foot or more deep, destroy crops and carry diseases that infect domestic livestock.
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Michigan mulls environmental justice
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Michigan officials are crafting an environmental justice policy to give minority and low-income communities a greater voice in environmental decisions.
The Environmental Protection Agency encouraged the state to create the plan in the wake of two unsuccessful lawsuits. The public has until April 9 to comment on the plan.
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Tapped out: Sour year for maple syrupers
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In 2009, Michigan produced the most maple syrup in more than 60 years, but this spring farmers are tapping out sooner than they had hoped. An early warm spell made it a poor season, syrupers say.
Ideal conditions require below-freezing temperatures at night and above-freezing temperatures during the day.
Last year the state produced 115,000 gallons of syrup ranking it fifth in the nation. A typical year is 60,000 to 70,000 gallons.
Echo
Groups seek specialty crop grants
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A new federal grant program to raise the competitiveness of specialty crops may give apple growers a boost.
It supports conservation, innovation and promotion. That includes marketing, research and ways to promote sustainability.
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Michigan nears deer management decision
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LANSING, Mich. — Hunting may soon have new guidance if the state Department of Natural Reseources and Environment approves its draft deer management plan.
The plan to manage 1.8 million deer goes to the agency director, Rebecca Humphries, on April 8.
Final approval would come on May 6; the agency would begin implementing parts of the plan immediately.
Land
Competition heats up for park jobs in down economy
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Michigan will hire 1,200 workers for 98 state parks and recreation areas this summer. The summertime experience can turn into a career.
Competition for the slots is heating up because of the poor economy.