November 15, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality will convene its next meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Communities Roundtable on Wednesday, December 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Gaylord Intermediate School Cafeteria, 240 E. 4th Street in Gaylord.

The Roundtable, established by legislation passed in 2005, provides a forum to discuss how the laws, rules, and policies administered by the DEQ affect farmers, food processors, agribusiness, and rural communities. The Roundtable will consist of a discussion among a panel of representatives from various sectors and an opportunity for public comment. Previous Roundtable meetings have been held in Fremont, Adrian, and Frankenmuth.

"All the Roundtable meetings we've held have provided an excellent dialogue on the issues that Michigan's rural communities currently face," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "We look forward to a similarly productive meeting in Gaylord to discuss new ways of working together to better protect Michigan's environment."

For more information on the Roundtable, contact Frank Ruswick, Special Assistant to the Director, at 517-373-6093. For mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance, contact Mary Goodhall at 517-241-7968.

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 15, 2006 by Pat Watson