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Judge temporarily blocks effort to deport Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia student protests; Power of rural organizing reflected in SD carbon pipeline law; Safety at risk as budget cuts hit Indiana Dunes National Park; Barriers to tracking bird flu mount amid federal changes.

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House Democrats won't back the GOP budget bill. Ontario reacts to Trump trade moves by enacting energy export tariffs, and a new report finds mass deportations don t help the labor market.

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Immigrant communities are getting advice from advocates as the reach of ICE expands, experts in rural America urge lawmakers to ramp up protections against elder abuse, and a multi-state arts projects seeks to close the urban-rural divide.

Report: Mother Nature Offers Best Defense From Floods and Storms

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Thursday, October 23, 2014   

LANSING, Mich. – As many Michiganders are still cleaning up from the devastating effects of last summer's storms while bracing for winter, a recent report from the National Wildlife Federation suggests some of the best resources for preventing major flooding can be found right outside.

Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, says when it comes to putting up a strong, protective infrastructure, Mother Nature really does know best.

"When a storm comes through and you have healthy wetlands and other marsh plants, their ability to absorb the energy from these storms to protect the communities that are directly adjacent, really is a sight to be seen," he stresses.

It's estimated that Michigan has lost nearly 50 percent of its wetlands since the late 1700s, and as much as 75 percent in coastal and southern parts of the state.

The report recommends better protections for these areas by strengthening the Clean Water Act, as well as improvements to federal flood insurance policy that would incentivize protective efforts.

Wesley Dupont, executive vice president and general counsel with Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, says it makes good business sense to take proactive steps to protect communities, especially given the impact of climate change.

"We want to make sure our insurants are safe, that we're limiting the type of damage they're going to receive when a storm comes their way, and the frequency with which extreme weather is occurring these days, it's just ramping up and we have to be ready for that," he says.

The damage from storms that swept through the metro Detroit area in August is estimated at more than $1 billion.





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