24, February 2016 Flint
A new report has recently surfaced to
underscore the gross mismanagement of Flint’s water supply.
In 2001 and 20012, the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality issued permits to Nestlé, allowing them to pump up to 218
gallons of water per minute from aquifers that feed Lake Michigan. What is so
egregious about this deal is no cost was levied on Nestlé other than a small
permit fee and leasing cost to a private landowner. The pumped water is then
bottled and shipped all over the world generating millions in profits for the
company. Outraged residents, of Mescosta County, where Nestlé’s plant is located,
filed suit raising the necessary legal fees from bake sales. In an attempt to intimidate one of the
litigants, Nestle’ dispatched a private investigator, the FBI and filed a SLAPP
suit (strategic
lawsuit against public participation).
Nestles’ received $13 million in tax breaks
from the state to relocate the plant to Michigan. To make matters worse the
investigation revealed a blatant conflict of interest between Nestlé and the
governor’s office. The spokesperson for Nestlé is Deborah Muchmore whose
husband is Governor Rick Snyder’s chief of staff who just retired to become a
lobbyist. Nestlé posted $14
billion in profit in 2014. Meanwhile, Flint residents, who
are predominantly African-American, are paying approximately $140 a month for lead invested
poisoned water.
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