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Back to GREENWASHING ENGLER RELATED STORIES: Grading Engler. The Metro Times contacted a number of the state's prominent environmental groups for evaluations of Engler's environmental record. Environmental lowlights. In the eyes of Michigan's business community, Engler is an honor student when it comes to policy.

Aid for cities, parks, waterways Proposed by Gov. John Engler and approved by the Legislature, the Clean Michigan Initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot is an ambitious bond measure that would allocate $675 million for a variety of environmental projects. As originally pitched by Engler, the initiative was largely to clean up pollution at abandoned urban sites known as "brown fields." Before changes in the state's "polluters pay" law, industries were responsible for removing the toxic contamination they left behind, but changes initiated by the Engler administration in 1995 shifted that burden to taxpayers. After seeking other sources of public funding, Engler proposed a $500 million bond measure, $325 million of which would go toward waste sites. Environmentalists at first balked at letting polluters off the hook, then instead of rejecting Engler's proposal they fought to add additional programs. Despite intense opposition from the administration, the Michigan Environmental Council, a statewide coalition of environmental groups, was able to win support in the Democrat-controlled state House, forcing Republicans in the Senate and Engler to concede if the measure was to be passed. As a result, the ballot measure faces no large-scale opposition, with endorsements from the business community and most major environmental groups. Dan Senor, manager of the Clean Michigan Campaign, says that efforts are focused on educating voters on the measure's benefits. Among the proposal's allocations: * $335 million -- the single largest chunk -- for the cleanup and redevelopment of polluted "brown fields" in urban areas such as Detroit and Flint. Making urban redevelopment less costly, reduces the financial incentive to build on suburban and rural property. This could help to slow the sprawl consuming Michigan's farmland and open space. * $90 million to help improve water quality in waterways such as Lake St. Clair, where beaches frequently have been closed because of fecal contamination. * $50 million for construction and renovation of local parks and outdoor recreation facilities. * $50 million to revitalize state parks. * $50 million to demolish old buildings, clean up contaminated soil, and acquire property to spur economic development and improve public access along waterfronts. * $25 million to clean up river sediments contaminated by toxic chemicals. Target areas include the Detroit, Clinton and Rouge rivers. * $20 million for pollution prevention projects. * $5 million to abate lead-based paint and other lead-related hazards that threaten the emotional and mental development of children. --C.G.