The Effectiveness of Michigan's Oil and Gas Conservation Law in Preventing Pollution of the State's Ground Watersa

Abstract

AbstractWith the exception of a few special cases, there has been no pollution of fresh ground water from oil wells, gas wells and dry holes drilled in Michigan since 1925. This is especially significant since water for over 90 percent of Michigan's rural population and about 70 percent of the total population, exclusive of the Detroit metropolitan area, is supplied by ground‐water sources. The most classic exception is in the Saginaw Valley where abandoned wells drilled for salt, coal and oil remain unplugged. Special emphasis is given to the proper plugging of wells as the most important phase of the program to protect fresh water.The present protective oil and gas conservation law– Public Act 61 of 1939 – is good. Its flexibility allows needed rules and regulations to be adopted as the necessity arises without having to go to the legislature.