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.
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:
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 Planning and Policy work group is charged with recommending and creating pathways for Environmental Justice to be infused into state governance.
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.
The Training work group is working to development Environmental Justice and Equity Training for state employees.
Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team (IEJRT) Chair
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director
Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) Executive Director
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director
Michigan Strategic Fund/Michigan Economic Development Corp., (MEDC) Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer
Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chair
