Office of Regulatory Reinvention Issues Recommendations for Eliminating Obsolete Natural Resources Rules; Office of Regulatory Reinvention Presents Recommendations to Governor Snyder to Improve Michigan's Natural Resources Management System

Contact: John Groen 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

"Overall, the Natural Resources Advisory Rules Committee and the ORR found that the DNR continues to do a great job. They are very well managed and have a long history of actively listening to constituent input. This provides significant value to Michigan," said Steve Arwood, Chief Regulatory Officer and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director. "The elimination of unnecessary rules will allow the DNR to focus on enforcing rules that are core to their mission."

The DNR and the ORR have already taken action to rescind 104 of the rules identified. The majority of the other recommendations were process-improvement oriented. The ORR worked closely with the DNR in reviewing existing administrative rules and developing the recommendations.

"The report from the Office of Regulatory Reinvention recognizes that the DNR is well-managed and provides significant value for Michigan citizens," said DNR Director Keith Creagh. "The recommendations contained in the report will help the department be even more efficient and effective in the important work of managing and protecting Michigan's world-class natural resources."

The ORR formed the recommendations after a comprehensive review process, including convening an Advisory Rules Committee of stakeholders that included representatives from conservation organizations, outdoors recreational groups, public policy groups, energy companies, forestry companies, hunting/fishing groups and state government.

"The Advisory Rules Committee worked diligently in its review of Michigan's Natural Resources management system," said Tom Bailey, Executive Director, Little Traverse Conservancy. "These are thoughtful recommendations that streamline government and make it more customer friendly."

The recommendations will streamline government. For instance, the ORR's recommendation #2 provides methods to simplify the real estate appraisal review process as it relates to selling state-owned land. This recommendation will prevent disagreements between the DNR and local communities, and ensure there is clarity over a range of issues.

Furthermore, the recommendations will create a better business environment. For example, recommendation #3 creates more predictability for customers by establishing firm timelines for issuance or denial of easements and various agreements or permits that lessees of state minerals need from the DNR. This recommendation creates a predictable window for businesses to plan around and allows for a reasonable time frame for the state to react.

"Working with a broad coalition of stakeholders, we made a number of recommendations to improve Michigan's management of its mineral, oil and natural gas assets," said Bob Mannes, President and CEO of Core Energy. "A prime example is recommendation #3 - this recommendation will help drive economic growth in Michigan because predictability is very important for attracting investment capital and keeping business costs down."

To view the complete recommendations, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Natural_Resources_Recommendations_411134_7.pdf 

For more information about other ORR recommendations, visit here.

For more information about the ORR, please visit www.michigan.gov/orr

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