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Liz Browne named as EGLE’s new Permitting Ombudsman
May 02, 2025
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is pleased to announce Liz Browne as the department’s new Permitting Ombudsman.
Liz will serve as an executive point of contact for resolving priority permitting issues and support multi-agency collaboration to streamline permitting processes. She will also work across our divisions to provide guidance to help permitting applicants navigate EGLE’s regulatory landscape, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Pictured: Liz Browne, EGLE’s new Permitting Ombudsman.
“Liz has long demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of EGLE and to the people of Michigan,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Her understanding of our programs and her passion for protecting our natural resources make her the ideal person to help strengthen our permitting coordination efforts. I am confident she will help us become a more responsive, effective partner for permit applicants while upholding our duty to protect our natural resources.”
Browne brings extensive experience to her new role, having served as director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division (MMD), where she oversaw hazardous and solid waste programs, radiological protection, and sustainability initiatives. Her career at EGLE spans various leadership positions in Superfund, storage tanks, wetlands, shorelines, drinking water, and emergency management programs.
This announcement comes at a time when EGLE is investing in new resources to enhance the permitting process. Funding in Governor Whitmer’s proposed FY26 budget would support digitizing records and modernizing internal systems, making documents more accessible to the public and agency staff. These upgrades will improve transparency, reduce processing times, and allow permitting staff to better support businesses and communities across the state.
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