The use of anecdotal information as a substitute for science-based thinking is alive and well at Higgins Lake. Some sewer advocates have adopted testimonials as their new ‘science.’ We all need to take a closer look at the Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) sewer proposal and all the confusion and stress this is causing in Lyon and Gerrish townships.
Some of the biggest mistakes of the pro-STEP sewer campaign include the reliance on anecdotes, uninformed opinions, and inadequate science. One thing to be wary of is cherry-picked information that leads to confirmation bias – that’s when you ignore information that doesn’t support your conclusions and promote information that seems to. Science never operates that way, but politics and selfish motives do.
The information that has been promoted as science doesn’t support spending $130M+ to build a project that will end up harming Higgins Lake. Read the report on Higgins Lake from water experts at the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and decide for yourself at https://higginslakesewerfacts.com/solutions/tip/. The STEP sewer project science is badly flawed.
Private septic systems can be improved and shouldn’t be demolished. The Higgins Lake Land Conservancy has concluded that a STEP sewer system will overcrowd and urbanize Higgins Lake, changing it in a negative way forever. Both organizations have been attacked by pro-sewer advocates for their well-informed conclusions.
Some smooth sewer operators want people to simply take their word about the need for this expensive project rather than use their own brains. The likely voices pitching this hustle are investors, developers, advertising execs, lawyers, and politicians.
Be skeptical of spokespersons who distort science to sell this anecdotal infrastructure project. We have both a science literacy and a misrepresentation problem at Higgins Lake and need to get involved by following the money motives.
Phillip Robinson
Higgins Lake
