An Executive Director's work is never done

Whirlwind? Roller coaster? Those are the first words that come to mind as I think about what I've been up to over the past 14 days. Two weeks ago, I was in Washington for a lobby day with my counterparts from state conservation leagues around the country. While there, I also attended LCV's annual dinner gala event where EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson delivered the keynote address...and I was asked to make the closing remarks.

In the course of 24 hours, I had the opportunity to meet with top Obama Administration staff, including Nancy Sutley, the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Heather Zichal, the top energy and climate advisor to the President; staff from many of our congressional offices to talk about water quality and clean air regulations; and Senators Stabenow and Levin. (I even snuck in lunch in the West Wing "mess" at the invitation of a wonderful Michigander.)

During the formal White House meeting (in the War Room of the Old Executive Office Building), I thanked the Administration for their work on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and urged them to do whatever they could to strengthen Clean Water Act protections. I provided them with a copy of the front page Detroit Free Press article of 6/5/11, which spoke eloquently and powerfully about how Michigan's economic past, present and future is intimately connected to the protection of our waters.

I had interesting and productive meetings with both of our senators. Senator Levin and I had a robust conversation about the importance of clean energy technologies and innovation in Michigan. Senator Stabenow and I discussed the importance of defending the EPA's authority to fully implement the Clean Air Act, and her strong commitment to enhancing clean energy opportunities "back home". Both Michigan Senators received a 100% score on the last national LCV Scorecard so, of course, I said "thank you!"

While the current political climate in Washington is challenging, to say the least, I believe the path to ultimate victory on clean water protections, global warming and other critical environmental issues is to outline a bold agenda to frame the conversation. Of course, we'll need to play a lot of defense along the way and we will need to rack up many incremental victories. But, we need to make sure the American public understands what we ultimately need to do to save our planet for future generations.

Later that evening, I listened as LCV president Gene Karpinski introduce EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as the "rockstar" of the Obama administration. She did not disappoint. Jackson was terrific and delivered a powerful, eloquent, and persuasive case for EPA's mission to protect our health and environment. We need to do all we can to give her the support she needs so she can move aggressively to cut toxins, smog, and carbon emissions into our air.

As the evening program came to an end, I made the closing remarks. Speaking in front of 500 people is not something I do often and, I’ll admit, I was nervous. But, as I looked around the room at members of Congress, leaders of national environmental organizations, representatives of the White House and EPA, I realized that the role I held in representing Michigan and the ever-present battle to protect the Great Lakes trumped fear. I felt humbled, proud and purposeful as I strode to the podium to give thanks and to remind the crowd that it will take each and every one of us to ensure that our nation’s finest environmental laws are upheld and, indeed, strengthened…. for the sake of our health, for the sake of our economy and for the sake of our children’s future.

I wrote this on the plane on my return from yet another trip (to Colorado), which focused on great, ongoing, collaborative efforts with my peers from around the nation. I am happy to be back home and continue the important work of turning conservation values into Michigan priorities.