September 16, 2004

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) today hailed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement granting their request to reclassify Southeast Michigan to a marginal non-attainment area for ozone air pollution (smog) from a moderate non-attainment area.

This decision gives Michigan more flexibility to improve air quality in keeping with national standards. The reclassification from “moderate “ to “marginal” non-attainment status impacts the eight-county Southeast Michigan ozone non-attainment region of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe, and Lenawee Counties.

“This reclassification allows us to accomplish our goal of ensuring healthier air for the citizens of Michigan at a faster pace,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “The greater flexibility will allow Michigan to determine the best ways to achieve local reductions in pollution.”

The reclassification is a result of a strong partnership between DEQ and SEMCOG, with support from the entire Michigan Congressional delegation, and the leadership of many in both the public and private sector.

"This ruling gives us the flexibility we need and also commits us to achieving clean air sooner. That's better for both the environment and the economy of Southeast Michigan," said Chuck Hersey, SEMCOG Manager of Environmental Programs.

The strategies to achieve cleaner air will be identified by June 2005, and the DEQ and SEMCOG will seek adoption of the laws and rules necessary to implement the plan by June 2006. The added flexibility provides the region the ability to evaluate options and select measures that are more effective at reducing air pollution at a lower cost. Areas classified as moderate are not granted this flexibility, and must implement EPA prescribed programs.

SEMCOG is a regional planning partnership of local governmental units serving 4.9 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region's quality of life.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised September 16, 2004 by Pat Watson