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Dear As most of you know, the DEQ’s budget has been slashed repeatedly
over the past few years. Budget cuts and subsequent staff reductions
threaten to reduce the DEQ’s ability to uphold the public trust and
protect our natural resources. One immediate consequence of this affects the permit review process,
which uses professional and knowledgeable agency staff. This process includes
assessment of impacts from proposed activities, and allows the least damaging
alternatives to be identified and exercised. Such review is essential to
ensure protection of our valuable water resources. Unfortunately, given their dire lack of funding, DEQ is proposing to
suspend environmental review for certain activities on inland lakes and
streams, if environmental review and authorization can be provided by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. As such, DEQ has issued a Public Notice for a
Temporary General Permit for Specified Minor Activities Authorized by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers in Lakes and Streams. In some cases, Please take a moment to review this notice and comment directly to DEQ. It is also VITAL that your voice be heard by the Michigan Legislature
and the Governor, who hold a responsibility to the citizens of LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING PROPOSED TEMPORARY GENERAL PERMIT FOR
DESIGNATED MINOR ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED BY THE U.S. ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS IN
LAKES AND STREAMS. Pursuant to Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams; and Part 303, Wetlands
Protection; of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA
451, as amended, the MDEQ’s Land and Water Management Division is
proposing to issue a Temporary General Permit (GP) to authorize certain minor
activities in inland lakes and streams and Great Lakes connecting channels,
where the activity is authorized by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). Parts 301 and 303 authorize the issuance of GPs for categories of
activities that are similar in nature, will cause only minimal adverse
environmental effects when performed separately, and will have only minimal
cumulative adverse effect on the environment. The MDEQ and the USACE have
distinct but parallel responsibilities for regulation of dredge and fill
activities in certain waters in The detailed draft GP can be found at www.michigan.gov/deqinlandlakes,
or may be requested from the address given below. Written comments should be
submitted directly to: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Land and
Water Management Division, and Dr. Tip of
the Mitt Watershed Council PH:
231-347-1181 FX: 231-347-5928 www.watershedcouncil.org Email:
jenniferm@watershedcouncil.org grenetta@watershedcouncil.org |