Resolution of the Progressive Democratic Women’s Caucus

Whereas the City of Flint and DEQ hold and manage waters withdrawn from the navigable waters of the State of Michigan in trust for the benefit and protection of the people of Flint for their sustenance and drinking water;

Whereas the people of Flint are beneficiaries of the public trust in the waters of the State and the right to safe water for drinking and sanitation that is delivered to them by the City of Flint with oversight of the DEQ;

Whereas the people of Flint, in order to save money, were forced to change their source of drinking water from the Detroit Water Supply to the Flint River by the Emergency Manager, hired by the Governor of the State of Michigan;

Whereas the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) failed in its responsibility to protect the environment, public health and safety of the citizens of Flint;

Whereas the DEQ failed to follow federally mandated procedures to guarantee the new water source from the Flint River did not violate the corrosive pipe federal statute;

Whereas the citizens of Flint, including children, babies and pregnant mothers, were, as a result of the above failures, subjected to lead in the water;

Whereas Flint doctors and a Virginia Tech research team discovered elevated lead levels in the children of Flint, and their findings were discredited by DEQ officials;

Whereas, as a result, children, babies and the unborn can develop lead poisoning which leads to debilitating and costly life-long learning and behavior problems;

Whereas Flint residents, since being switched to the Flint River, reported discolored and foul-smelling water, in addition to rashes and hair loss;

Whereas the residents of Flint formally complained to a variety of agencies and were repeatedly assured that the water was safe;

Whereas this step was taken to save $5 million but cost the state $12 million to reattach to the Detroit water system;

And whereas Flint residents were continually reassured that the water was safe for drinking;

Therefore be it resolved that a complete investigation be launched by the EPA or another qualified outside agency to determine cause of the increased lead level in the Flint water supply and why the citizens were not warned when it became known that the lead levels were increased.

Be it further resolved that any DEQ or other staff or elected official found to be responsible for the situation, including the Director, be severed from all state employment and benefits, and that they, in addition to the Emergency Manager and the governor, be subject to applicable criminal charges.

Be it further resolved that all Flint residents who were exposed to the increased lead levels in the water be tracked, and that compensation be paid to impacted residents for all health, reproductive, education and other expenses incurred.

PEER ACTION ALLIANCE
PARENTS HAVE POWER
CITIZENS TO PRESERVE PUBLIC EDUCATION
EXTENDED GRACE
LAKESHORE COMMUNITY LABOR COUNCIL
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS
YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF MUSKEGON
PAX CHRISTI OF MUSKEGON
COALITION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REVIVING OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY (ROAD)
WEST MICHIGAN BETTER BIRTH NETWORK
MUSKEGON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

December 17, 2015