The WMEAC Publicity and Media Coverage series documents both internal and external efforts to publicize and analyze programs, campaigns and accomplishments of WMEAC. The materials span virtually the entire history of the group (1968-2005), and are divided into Clippings, Hearing Statements, Photographs, and Press Releases.
The Clippings consist of primarily newspaper or magazine articles, accumulated by WMEAC staff, that document the programs, activities, and accomplishments of the group over the years. The overwhelming majority of the clippings originate from the Grand Rapids Press and other local West Michigan newspapers and include, along with normal news coverage, various editorials both favorable and unfavorable of WMEAC policies. As such, these chronologically arranged articles present a fascinating account of the interaction between WMEAC and the local community and document the impact of WMEAC on both state and national environmental debates. Also included are several feature-length articles describing the nature and scope of the organization and the motivations and personalities of WMEAC leaders.
The Hearing Statements are transcripts of testimony delivered by WMEAC members at various legislative and other hearings from 1968 to 1990. These materials are contained within the Publicity and Media Coverage series because they were utilized by WMEAC in a manner similar to press releases, i.e. they were intended mainly to elucidate and publicize WMEAC positions on various legislative and litigious issues.
The Press Releases is a fairly complete collection of press releases issued by WMEAC. WMEAC employed their press releases as a means of publicizing organizational activities, announcing new programs or staff appointments, and stating official positions on various legislative and other governmental actions, and legal suits in which WMEAC was directly or indirectly involved. Some of the topics covered in this files are: nuclear power, air pollution/Clean Air Act, the banning of the pesticides DDT and Chlordane, the Michigan Bottle Bill, the Michigan Used Motor Oil Recycling Program, the Great Lakes Oil Drilling Ban, the formation of the Michigan Environmental Council and sand dune protection efforts.
