STATEMENT BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR LESLIE SAMUELRICH: Michigan Victory Demonstrates Power of the Grassroots

Our friend, Terry Swier, and her neighbors started a journey nine years ago that began in a North Michigan protected area and ended this Tuesday in a Mecosta County courtroom. At the beginning of the decade, the world’s largest bottler set its sights on the cold water trout streams and pristine lakes that annually attract outdoor enthusiasts from across the Great Lakes.

Terry and her neighbors founded Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) to protect the resource and surrounding environment for generations to come. In 2003, their concerns about Nestlé’s bottling practices had their day in court – the County Circuit Court ruled that Nestlé’s actions were likely to narrow streams, expose mud flats and reduce flow levels. Pumping was ordered to a halt.

But instead of honoring the court’s decision and residents’ interest to keep water resources under local control, Nestlé set about an expensive campaign to run MCWC dry through a protracted legal battle. Just a week ago, things were looking grim for Terry and her community. The legal fees had become more than the group could handle and it was looking as though MCWC wouldn’t have the opportunity to finally hold Nestlé to the decision made in 2003 to limit the corporation’s bottling.

It’s at that point that Corporate Accountability International members sent a very clear message to Nestlé – private wealth will not govern the public interest. Members chipped in more than $7000 and allied organizations also stepped up to show their support for the Michigan cause. It was the push MCWC needed to secure an important victory that puts Nestlé on alert that communities will not be bullied into decisions that are not in their best-interest.

According to MCWC’s press release, the group and Nestlé reached a court settlement finitely bringing to a close a nine-year legal battle in which Nestlé was hoping to increase its pumping levels for wells that feed its Stanwood, MI Ice Mountain plant.

Nestlé cannot reopen the case which means that the people of Michigan can at last be assured that Nestlé’s pumping will be dramatically reduced during the summer months and will never exceed its current levels. Thanks to MCWC’s efforts, Nestlé’s pumping has been reduced by 50 percent from its original operations.  

A heartfelt congratulations are due to Terry and her neighbors and to all who extended a hand to support these dedicated activists in their time of need.

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