FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Terry Swier, President MCWC Jim Olson, Olson & Bzdok, P.C. Jim Samuels

231 972-8856 231 946-0044 231 796-8858

(Date, Mecosta, MI) The environment and citizens Michigan and the Great Lakes Basin received a boost when Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation was awarded a $51,500.00 grant from the L.C. and Margaret Walker Foundation.

"This grant could not have been received at a better time. The Board of Directors of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) wants to thank the Walker Foundation for its generous grant and recognition of MCWC’s efforts." Says Terry Swier, President of MCWC. "The $5l,500.00 grant will be used to support educational programs, including efforts to increase public awareness of water conservation issues in Michigan, and to sponsor environmental research relating to Michigan’s water supply."

MCWC is striving to protect the citizen’s rights to land, river and watershed protection and management for purposes of human rights and long-term habitat and ecosystem preservation and restoration. The grant from the Foundation will help MCWC with its goal and objective to expand its efforts to educate the public through vigorous law and public policy debate concerning water rights, the public trust, and direct grass roots citizen action.

The future of Michigan’s and the Great Lakes region’s streams, lakes and its tributary ground waters is at risk. MCWC has been working diligently through its lawsuit against Nestle Waters North America, Inc., formerly Perrier Group of America, Inc, and through public workshops to increase citizen awareness of their rights in water. The organization has also made important contributions to public policy that will assure that needed water laws will put the public trust and rights of citizens first. The trial of the lawsuit of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, et al v Nestle Waters North America, Inc., et al. begins in May 2003. The suit challenges Nestle’s claim that it can take all of the water for itself, essentially converting our waters into a private commodity without having to pay for it. "Given the world water crisis and worldwide demand for Michigan’s water, we cannot sit idly by without protecting the fundamental principle that water is a commons for everyone, including our valuable and magnificent environment, " Swier said. "The Foundation’s grant helps MCWC immensely," she said. But it will really benefit everyone."

If you would like more information on MCWC’s projects, contact Terry Swier 231 972-8856, tswier@centurytel.net or visit MCWC’s web site at www.saveMIwater.org.

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