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About us

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Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

About us

Working side-by-side with partners at local, regional, state and federal levels, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) safeguards our state's environment while supporting the economic growth and development crucial for Michigan's future.

As part of providing expert technical and pollution prevention assistance to businesses and individuals, EGLE annually performs approximately 30,000 site visits and inspections. EGLE employs more than 1,500 scientists, engineers, geologists, toxicologists, inspectors, technicians, managers, biologists and support staff across the state.

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Accountability and Transparency

We are committed to accountability in our actions and accessibility to information about our work

Two EGLE staff examining organisms from a sample of a stream to assess water quality

Career Opportunities

Are you passionate about protecting Michigan's air, land, water, and energy resources? Join us!

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Contact Us

Get direct one-on-one assistance by calling 800-662-9278 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

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Divisions and Offices

There are currently 9 divisions and 6 individual offices within the agency

Environmental Rules Review Committee Prepares for PFAS Rulemaking

Boards, Advisory Groups, Councils, etc.

There are over 25 various groups that advise the Department on policy and programmatic issues

Two EGLE Water Resources staff members out doing field work on a rocky river bank pointing at the water in the distance on a nice sunny day

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

We come to work to protect Michigan's environment and public health by managing our air, water, land, and energy resources.

An EGLE staff member standing on a landing at a wastewater treatment plant conducting sampling on a sunny autumn day

Programs

Our programs range from air quality monitoring, to contamination investigation, to providing operator training, among many others

A group of EGLE staff looking into a roadside manhole as part of an inspection

Current Featured Topics

Some projects stand out either due to significant multi-divisional response, significant public interest, or other factors

  • Executive Order 2019-6: renamed the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). This order also established the Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team, the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate, the Office of Climate and Energy, the Office of the Great Lakes, the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate and Science Review Boards (as needed) within EGLE. Effective April 22, 2019.

    Executive Order 2011-1: abolished the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) and created the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Effective March 13, 2011.

    Executive Order 2009-45: created a new Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to protect and conserve Michigan's air, water and other natural resources. The new department assumed the powers and functions of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which were abolished by the executive order.

    Executive Order 1999-10: created the Water Quality Advisory Board, charged with advising the Department of Environmental Quality regarding implementation of a comprehensive, long-term water quality monitoring program designed to measure the quality of Michigan's streams, rivers and lakes, and detect areas of the state that need additional water quality control efforts.

    Executive Order No. 1995-18: The Department of Environmental Quality was created, which transferred environmental regulatory programs from the Department of Natural Resources to the newly created Department. Subsequently, the following executive orders transferred additional responsibilities to the Department:

    • Executive Order No. 1996-1: transferred responsibilities for environmental health programs relating to drinking water and radiological protection from the Department of Public Health to the Department of Environmental Quality.
    • Executive Order No. 1996-2: transferred the Low Level Radioactive Waste Authority from the Department of Commerce to the DEQ.
    • Executive Order No. 1997-2: transferred the Above Ground Storage Tank Program and the inspection of dry cleaning establishments from the Department of State Police to the DEQ.
    • Executive Order No. 1997-3: transferred the Michigan Environmental Science Board and the Environmental Administration Division from the Department of Management and Budget to the DEQ.