September 22, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester has convened a key stakeholder group in the second phase of a process to develop recommendations over the next six months that will help shape the future of Michigan’s cleanup program known as Part 201, Environmental Remediation, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

“Michigan has one of the most progressive programs in the country to facilitate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment,” said Director Chester. “However, our program must continue to evolve to effectively meet it’s objectives of protecting public health, safety, welfare and the environment while facilitating brownfield redevelopment."

The 50-plus member Part 201 Discussion Group will meet September 25, in Lansing, and thereafter as four separate subcommittees to address the following program areas: program administration, liability, complexity/technical requirements, and brownfield redevelopment. Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants, Inc. will facilitate each of the meetings.

The September 25, meeting will be held from 10:00am – 3:30pm at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel, 925 South Creyts Road, Lansing. All meetings will be open to the public, and future meetings and their locations will be announced at a later date.

The group’s goal is to develop a series of recommendations to help increase the number of cleanups conducted, increase compliance rates, make the program easier to implement, and assure the best tools and strategies are available to facilitate brownfield redevelopment. Public Sector Consultants will summarize the recommendations and submit a final report to Director Chester at the close of the process.

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 September 22, 2006 by Pat Watson