Suggested Research Topics - Environmental Policy in Michigan: 1949 - 1982
Michigan's lands, minerals, water, and fertile soil have long been recognized as the state's greatest resources. Nonetheless, there has been abuse and inappropriate exploitation of these resources. Some of Michigan's citizens and public officials responded to these abuses with calls for improved policies and legislation to protect the Michigan environment. By the nature of their office, the state's governors have been in a position to respond to citizen initiatives and to initiate or promote policies and legislation to protect the environment. They have also had to deal with the reactions of business and industrial groups and citizens who have taken positions in opposition to that of environmentalists. Concern for the environment has dramatically increased in the twentieth century, particularly in the postwar era. This concern was manifested in landmark legislation passed in 1970, viz., the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.
Beginning in 1949, what role have Michigan's governors played in developing public policy for the environment? How active an interest has each of them shown in this area of public policy? Were they passive actors in this area or did they actively promote protection of the state's land, water, and air? How did they interact with groups of advocates and opponents to strong environmental policies? Did they or their assistants have any political reservations to proceed with legislation or to promulgate policies that could be interpreted as being inimical to business interests? What groups and/or individuals were most effective in having their views accepted by the administration? What role has the legislature played in developing and passing environmental protection laws? How have the governors balanced the legitimate interests of competing groups? Has Michigan played a leadership role in the U.S. with its environmental policies? How does the Michigan EPA of 1970 compare with federal efforts in this area? With other states' efforts?
Examples of Primary Source Collections and other Resources:
- G. Mennen Williams, governor, 1949-60.
- John Swainson, governor, 1961-62.
- George Romney, governor, 1963-69.
- William Milliken, governor, 1969-82.
- John Tanton, environmental advocate, papers, 1960-83.
- Michigan United Conservation Clubs, records, 1937-86.
- Joseph Sax, U-M law professor, collector, 1969-86 of material relating to the passage of the 1970 EPA and the aftermath of legal suits.
- Helen Milliken, governor's spouse, papers, 1965-82.
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council, records, 1969-80 (see also the papers of Joan Wolfe, founder of the Council, and William Cary, a board member).
- Mary Sinclair, environmental advocate (especially on the hazards of nuclear energy), papers, 1967-80.
- Papers of State Legislators.
- Chihiro Kikuchi, professor of engineering.
In an effort to encourage creative thinking about possible research topics for students unfamiliar with archives and their inevitable complexities, archivists and student employees of the Bentley Historical Library have authored "suggested research topics ." The purpose of these is not to define a topic but rather to stimulate thinking about a topic where the holdings of the Bentley Library are particularly strong.