A Disinformation Battle In Michigan?

Keith Schneider profiles the ongoing,up-and-down struggle in Petoskey and Emmet County to stop sprawl. Hetalks with several of the area's dedicated sprawlbusters who are now hoping for help, instead of hindrance, from the state in making Smart Growth areality. "In a sharp break with its conduct under the Engler administration, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is directly confronting the disinformation campaigns waged by property rights activists who oppose the state's Natural Rivers Program... But critics, Mr. Pearson said, falsely contend that applying Natural Rivers standards to streams like the Pine and Upper Manistee will confiscate private property, arrest the ability to make local decisions about land use policy, and establish unreasonable building guidelines."