The Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination record group provides an in-depth look at the life of a very active and influential Michigan environmental organization, for a period of nearly two decades -- from 1978 to 1997. While describing in particular the activities of one individual organization, the collection also lends itself to research about environmental issues and Michigan environmental organizations in general. The collection is arranged into four record series: Organizational Files, Eco Conferences, Subject Files, and Related Organizations.
The environmental group Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination (CACC) was formed in 1978 by landowners in Clare County, Michigan in resistance to a State Department of Agriculture plan to control the gypsy moth population with a program of spraying the pesticide Dimilin. Since its founding, CACC has taken an interest in a wide range of environmental topics beyond the scope of gypsy moth spraying -- including, solid waste, pollution, herbicides, wetlands protection, and toxic waste. The organization changed its name in 1982 from Citizens Against Chemical Contaminants to reflect this broadened scope.
Ann Hunt, a founding member of CACC, served as Executive Director from 1983 to 1997, the only paid employee of the organization. In this role, she was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization and developed it into a prominent organization within the state of Michigan. With a paid staff member, CACC was able to maintain a broad correspondence with other environmental organizations and individuals. Five other Michigan environmental organizations became CACC-affiliated chapters over the years.
CACC since 1983 sponsored an annual Backyard Eco Conference, bringing together a variety of speakers from around the country to lead talks and workshops, educating participants on a wide variety of environmental issues. CACC maintained a resource library for staff and public information, printed a monthly newsletter with a distribution of over 500, and served in advisory capacities on many state environmental issues.
As a non-profit organization, funding was often tight, particularly in years immediately after its establishment. Funding largely came from the operation of a food concession at an annual music festival (Wheatland). Other funding was made available from annual membership dues, personal donations, and grant awards.
CACC has been a member of the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), a coalition of Michigan environmental groups, since the mid-1980s; Ann Hunt was a member of the MEC Board of Directors, serving as treasurer from 1988 to 1990, and as chair of the board from 1990 to 1992. Hunt also served on the steering committee of the National Citizens Network on Oil and Gas Wastes and the Environmental Defense Fund's Pollution Prevention Alliance, and as an at-large member of the Board of Directors of Great Lakes United from 1992 to 1993. Hunt also served on the Governor's Cabinet Council on Environmental Protection's Pesticide Advisory Committee. Much of Hunt's work in these areas is documented in the collection.
