House
The House Great Lakes and Tourism Committee noticed for hearing at the end of the day Tuesday (3/18) and reported on Thursday (3/20) -- HB 4257 - that allows the plowing over of emergent coastal wetland by lake front property owners without a permit. The committee rejected compromise legislation offered by the MDEQ.
In opposition is the Michigan Environmental Council, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Lone Tree Council, Michigan Land Use Institute, Clean Water Action, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and former DEQ shorelands chief Chris Shafer (now an environmental law professor).
The legislation could be taken up by the full House this week.
Coming Up:
Senate
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
Tuesday, March 25, at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor,
Boji Tower (Formerly Michigan National Tower)
On the agenda:
SB 289 - Sen. Birkholz - This bill would regulate water withdrawals from certain aquifers within the State of Michigan. It is a pared down version of legislation introduced last year (SB 1197-1200) to regulate groundwater use in Michigan. MEC is concerned that the bill is too limited in scope and may make preventing future diversions of water from the Great Lakes more difficult.
SB 289 will likely be worked on by the committee for a number of weeks.
Committee Clerk Phone Number 517-373-1854
Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee
Tuesday, March 25 at 2:00 PM in Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Agenda: FY 2003-04 Budget for the Michigan Dept. of Transportation
Clerk Phone Number 373-2523
Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee
Thursday, March 27 at 1:00 PM in Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Agenda: FY 2003-04 Budget for the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture
Clerk Phone Number 373-5932
House
Appropriations - Natural Resources and Environmental Quality Subcommittee
Tuesday March 25, 2003 at 9:00 am in room 327 of the House Office Building
On the agenda is a FY 2003-2004 MDEQ Budget. The committee will be discussing the Governor's various fee proposals to make up for the 26% reduction in general fund support for the department, including the proposed $6.9 million for water discharge permits.
Land Use and Environment Committee
Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (3/26) at 2 pm or after session
in 326 House Office Building
On the agenda - HB 4284 (Rep. Kolb) Provides for the establishment of joint planning commissions (Hearing Only). Joint planning commissions will allow local units of governments to conducting planning over multiple jurisdictions.
PRESENTATION ON ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER
Clerk Phone Number 517-373-7372
Submitted by:
James Clift
Conan Smith
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539