Citizens For a Safe and Clean Lake Superior hires new Outreach Director

Jane Fitkin, new Director of Outreach and Communications for Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS). (Photo courtesy CSCLS)

MARQUETTE -- Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS) is pleased to welcome Jane Fitkin as their new Director of Outreach and Communications.

A recent Northern Michigan University (NMU) graduate with highest honors in Environmental Studies and Sustainability, she has led numerous local environmental efforts including groups like the Marquette Climbers’ Co-op and NMU Conservation Crew and has advocated with local government planning officials for sustainable infrastructure projects.

Having lived in Marquette for the past four years, Fitkin has developed a strong connection to the local community and environment and sees unnecessary industrial development, like the planned rocket launch site near Thoneys Point, in
Powell Township just 10 miles north of Marquette, as a serious threat.

"We live on the shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater body. Lake Superior is immeasurably important to our way of life, and promoting heavy industry right on the lakeshore is a serious threat to all of us," Fitkin said. "I'm excited to join this effort to protect our lake for all of us."

This Lake Superior shoreline view shows the pretty sandstone cliffs at the proposed Granot Loma/Thoneys Point launch area. (File photo courtesy Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior)

According to Dennis Ferraro, president of CSCLS, Fitkin will be assisting with the citizen petition effort in Powell Township to amend zoning regulations to ban spaceports and rocket launches in the township, as well as carrying out various other community events.

"Jane is a great asset to our current campaign here at CSCLS and she brings the leadership, policy and communication skills to broaden our future efforts to protect our beautiful Freshwater Coast," Ferraro said.

The mission of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior is to protect and improve the precious environmental resource of the coastal habitat, shoreline and fresh water of Lake Superior and its watershed in Marquette County; to oppose individual, corporate, or governmental action which may jeopardize that resource; and to encourage community action to preserve the quality of life provided by this Lake Superior Coastline environment for generations to come.