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Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team

Group touring Southwest Detroit neighborhoods
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team

Integrating equity and Environmental Justice into state government is vital for the state of Michigan.

The Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team was created with the goal of assuring that all Michigan residents benefit equitably from the protections and policies of state government. Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2019-06 named the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Civil Rights, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources, Transportation, the Michigan Strategic Fund, and the Public Service Commission to the Response Team.

Since its inception, several other agencies were invited to provide a comprehensive picture of programs and policies affecting Environmental Justice communities.

Workgroups

To achieve Response Team and Office priorities, four work groups were formed. Representation from the departments represented on the Response Team take part in the following work groups: 

Regina Strong speaking to audience at Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition meeting April 18 2019

Communication and outreach

The Communication and Outreach work group focuses on fostering public engagement with new and existing Environmental Justice programs. The group is currently working on developing the state’s first Environmental Justice Conference.

The State of Michigan capitol building's iconic dome against a blue sky

Planning and policy

The Planning and Policy work group is charged with recommending and creating pathways for Environmental Justice to be infused into state governance.

Screenshot of the MiEJScreen tool showing census tracts in blue and red indicating overall EJ score

Research and data

The Research and Data work group is developing an Environmental Justice screening tool specific to Michigan which will identify areas of concern based on environmental data and health impacts.

Crowd shot at RRD conference in Lansing

Training

The Training work group is working to development Environmental Justice and Equity Training for state employees.

Response team members

  • Regina Strong

    Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team (IEJRT) Chair

  • Scott Bowen

    Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director

  • Phillip Roos

    Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director

  • Dr. Tim Boring

    Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director

  • John E. Johnson Jr.

    Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) Executive Director

  • Elizabeth Hertel

    Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director

  • Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E.

    Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director

  • Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

    Michigan Strategic Fund/Michigan Economic Development Corp., (MEDC) Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer

  • Dan Scripps

    Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chair

Additional Departments

  • Michigan Attorney General (AG)

  • Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)

  • Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB)

  • Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

  • Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)

  • Michigan Civil Service Commission (MCSC)

  • Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

  • Michigan Department of State (MDOS)

  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

  • Michigan State Police (MSP)