March 30, 2004
Today Governor Granholm called upon the Legislature to pass Senate Bill 560, the groundwater fee legislation by April 1st to avert the discontinuation of the Groundwater Discharge Permit Program due to lack of funding. Governor Granholm called the situation “crunch time” and urged Michigan’s Legislature to do what is right to protect the groundwater for the people of Michigan and for generations to follow by enacting these needed fees.
Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester also called upon the Legislature to “close the deal” and pass the legislation that would provide the DEQ with the necessary funding to continue the administration of the Groundwater Discharge Permit Program.
“The DEQ has continued to operate this program with the understanding that the deal struck between Governor Granholm and the Legislature replacing nearly all of the general fund support for this critical program with fees would be coming; however, time is now running out, said Director Chester. With approximately 46 percent of Michigan citizens relying on groundwater for their drinking water supply, we join the Governor in urging the Legislature to fulfill the agreement and pass the legislation that will allow the DEQ to continue the protection of Michigan’s groundwater.”
On March 17, the DEQ sent letters to groundwater permitees, the Governor, and the Legislature informing them that if the groundwater fee legislation was not passed by April 1, the DEQ would have no choice but to discontinue administration of the program. Groundwater Discharge Permits needed for projects ranging from the construction of subdivisions, fruit processors, and dry cleaners would no longer be issued or renewed. In addition, facilities that had failed to renew their permits on time were informed that their permits have essentially been voided and continued discharges would be in violation of Part 31 Water Resources Act. A complete listing of the permittees potentially affected can be seen on the DEQ website at www.michigan.gov/deq .
Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.
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