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Governor Granholm quietly signed a long awaited Environmental Justice
Executive Directive the day before Thanksgiving. Kudos to a wide range of
people who worked hard to make this happen, including Kathryn Savoie of ACCESS
and Rhonda Anderson of Sierra Club (I hope someone can make sure all others who
worked on this are identified as well!). This can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-36898-180696--,00.html
-- AW -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE No. 2007 - 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963
vests the executive power of the State of WHEREAS, under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of
1963, each principal department of state government is under the supervision of
the Governor unless otherwise provided by the Constitution; WHEREAS, under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of
1963, the Governor is responsible to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed; WHEREAS, under Section 52 of Article IV of the Michigan Constitution of
1963, the conservation and natural resources of the State of Michigan are of
paramount public concern in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of
the People of the State of Michigan; WHEREAS, under Article I of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, state
government is instituted for the equal benefit, security, and protection of the
People of the State of Michigan, and no person may be denied the enjoyment of
his or her civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, or
national origin; WHEREAS, the fair, non-discriminatory treatment of all people is
fundamental to the development, implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, and policies; WHEREAS, when government acts, careful attention to civil rights can
facilitate fair and non-discriminatory treatment, and meaningful public involvement
can provide citizens with a more effective voice in decisions affecting their
community; WHEREAS, state government has an obligation to advance policies that
foster environmental justice, social well-being, and economic progress; WHEREAS, initial efforts by an advisory work group organized by the
Department of Environmental Quality reveal that the development of
environmental justice plans will further equal protection and public health,
safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of I. DEFINITIONS As used in this Directive: A. "Department of Environmental Quality" or "Department"
means the principal department of state government created under Executive
Order 1995-18, MCL 324.99903. B. "Environmental justice" means the fair, non-discriminatory
treatment and meaningful involvement of II. DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PLANS A. The Department of Environmental Quality shall develop and implement
a state environmental justice plan to promote environmental justice in 1. Identify and address discriminatory public health or environmental
effects of state laws, regulations, policies, and activities on 2. Include measures to prevent discriminatory or negative public health
or environmental effects of state laws, regulations, policies, or activities,
including, but not limited to, disproportionate negative impact of state laws,
regulations, policies or activities relating to public health and the
environment. 3. Provide policies and procedures for state departments and agencies
to ensure that environmental justice principals are incorporated into
departmental and agency decision-making and practices. 4. Include recommendations for other state departments and agencies
whose functions and responsibilities impact environmental justice. 5. Recommend mechanisms for members of the public, communities, and
groups to assert adverse or disproportionate social, economic or environmental
impact upon a community and request responsive state action. 6. Ensure consistency with federal environmental justice programs and
recommend specific mechanisms for monitoring and measuring the effects of
implementing the plan. 7. Assure implementation in a manner that maximizes the promotion of
environmental justice while minimizing or eliminating potential adverse or
disproportionate social, economic, or environmental impact. B. In developing the state environmental justice plan, the Department
shall actively solicit public involvement. C. The Department shall establish an environmental justice working
group of state officials and members of the public to do all of the following: 1. Assist in the development of the state environmental justice plan. 2. Identify state departments and agencies that could benefit from the
development of a departmental or agency environmental justice plan. 3. Assist in the development of departmental or agency environmental
justice plans and review the plans for consistency with the state environmental
justice plan. 4. Recommend measures to integrate and coordinate the actions of state
departments to further the promotion of environmental justice in this state. 5. Recommend environmental justice performance goals and measures for
the Department and other state departments and agencies with departmental or
agency environmental justice plans. 6. Review the progress of the Department and other departments and
agencies with environmental justice plans in complying with the plan and
promoting environmental justice. D. The Department may require a department or agency to develop and
adopt a departmental or agency environmental justice plan, in cooperation with
the Department, if the Department determines that development by a department
or agency would promote environmental justice within this state. E. State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Department
of Environmental Quality as necessary to implement this Directive. F. The Department of Environmental Quality shall report to the Governor
on its progress in implementing this Directive not later than July 1,
2008. The Department also shall prepare an annual report to the Governor
on state activities to promote environmental justice. This Directive is effective immediately. Given under my hand this 21st day of November in the year of our Lord,
two thousand and seven. ____________________________________ JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM GOVERNOR Copyright © 2007 State of |