Founded by local residents passionate about protecting the lakeshore we call home, CSCLS advocates for Lake Superior’s shoreline and watershed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We imagine a future where Lake Superior thrives as much as the people who depend on it. To get there, we utilize community engagement, education, and policy advocacy to create tangible change. Our current efforts are focused on advocating for local wetland protections in Marquette County, as well as supporting native ecosystem restoration in Powell Township, and addressing industrial mining threats in the watershed.
We have campaigned to prevent the Granot Loma spaceport project since 2020, when the ill-conceived plan was announced, through our "Stop the Rocket" campaign. In November 2023, we successfully defeated the proposed spaceport by negotiating the passage of a Powell Township Board Resolution, determining that the plan was incompatible with current and future versions of the Zoning Ordinance and township Master Plan.
In the wake of the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA, wetlands have less federal protection now than they have for half a century.
The health of Lake Superior and its communities hinges on the health of its connected wetlands. Wetlands improve water quality, mitigate flooding and erosion, and provide critical habitat. Wetlands also slow the flow of water, trapping sediment and pollutants before they can reach our aquifers or lakes.
CSCLS advocates for local planning and policymaking that reflects the importance of wetland ecosystems to the health and well-being of our communities. We also provide education and guidance to local governments, landowners, and citizens to protect wetlands in Marquette County.
Disposable vapes have become commonplace in Michigan. Disposable vapes contain hazardous waste in the form of a lithium-ion battery and nicotine or cannabis vape cartridge. Nicotine and lithium are toxic to wildlife and can poison waterways when littered. Throwing them in curbside trash or recycling can cause fires in landfills.
The battery minerals in disposable vapes are infinitely recyclable, and, since December of 2024, CSCLS has spearheaded a recycling program for disposable nicotine and cannabis vapes across Marquette County. Thanks to our partners and community members, we are able to divert this hazardous waste from our landfills and waterways.
We are committed to protecting Lake Superior's watershed in the UP from industrial threats, including those posed by mining. Along with our many partners, we keep a close eye on the mining industry's impacts to the Superior watershed.
Since 2023, we have advocated against the Copperwood Mine, working with partners like Protect the Porkies to oppose taxpayer funding for the proposed copper-sulfide mine on the edge of Lake Superior. We also campaigned against the expansion of the Tilden Mine, organizing hundreds of citizens to make public comments in opposition to the project.
The mission of Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior is to protect the shoreline, fresh water, and ecological integrity of Lake Superior and its watershed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and to be an advocate for the Lake Superior region by fostering community action to preserve the quality of life provided by this coastal environment for generations to come.
