TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE 2005-5 FOR PROVISION OF BOTTLED WATER TO ASSIST IN HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the Governor;
WHEREAS, the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region has resulted in numerous fatalities, injuries, and major devastation in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama;
WHEREAS, significant relief efforts are necessary to protect the public health, to preserve public safety, and to restore the social and economic welfare of persons impacted by the storm;
WHEREAS, within the area of the Gulf Coast region affected by Hurricane Katrina there is a critical need for drinkable water for both the victims of the storm and individuals engaged in relief efforts;
WHEREAS, in an effort to restrict diversions from the Great Lakes Basin, Executive Directive 2005-5 directs the Department of Environmental Quality to impose restrictions on the delivery and sale of water bottled in Michigan outside of the Great Lakes Basin;
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2005, consistent with authority vested in the Governor under Sections 1 and 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the Governor directed the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to immediately suspend any administrative action that would inhibit the provision of water bottled in Michigan to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts;
WHEREAS, to facilitate the response to Hurricane Katrina, it is necessary to extend suspension of any restrictions under Executive Directive 2005-5 that could be interpreted to inhibit or delay the provision of Michigan water to assist in relief efforts;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM, Governor of the State of Michigan, pursuant to the power and authority vested in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, direct the following:
1. The Department of Environmental Quality and other state departments and agencies shall take no action under Executive Directive 2005-5, Michigan law, or other regulations to inhibit or delay the provision of drinking water to assist in responding to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
2. Any provision of Executive Directive 2005-5 that could be interpreted to inhibit or delay the provision of drinking water to assist in responding to the effects of Hurricane Katrina is suspended for the duration of this Directive.
This Directive shall remain in effect until December 3, 2005 unless earlier rescinded by the Governor.
Given under my hand this 7th day of September in the year of our Lord, two thousand and five.
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
