November 4, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality is leading the way in providing small businesses support through assistance in understanding the environmental regulations that affect them. Michigan’s auto body repair shops are now being helped through a brand new publication produced by the DEQ entitled “Auto Body: Michigan Environmental Compliance Assistance Self-Audit Workbook and Checklist.”

“This handbook further demonstrates the DEQ’s commitment to working with the business community to further our goals of protecting Michigan’s environment, and helping our economy grow,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “I encourage all auto body shop operators to join us for a demonstration of how the government and the private sector can work together for a better Michigan.”

Director Chester will help celebrate the launch of this new workbook and checklist with a demonstration at Mason Auto Body Repair, Inc., on Tuesday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mason Auto Body Repair, Inc. is located at 805 Kerns Road in Mason, Michigan.

“This is a great opportunity for the DEQ and other auto body shop owners to witness the direct application of this self-audit workbook and checklist at a conventional auto body shop, and to see, firsthand, the myriad of regulatory requirements that are the responsibility of a typical small business owner and operator,” said Bruce Wigginton, President of Mason Auto Body Repair, Inc., and a member of the state’s Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel.

This demonstration is open to the general public and will be followed by a short business meeting of the CAP. For further information or details on attending the event, contact Donna Davis of the Clean Air Assistance Program at 1-800-662-9278.

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

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised November 4, 2005 by Pat Watson