Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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April 16, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2019
Contact:BrownT56@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, on President Trump’s Executive Order on Harmful Water Quality Certifications
Lansing, Mich. – In a letter today, five Great Lakes governors expressed their opposition to President Trump’s April 10, 2019, executive order on water quality certifications, which disregards mounting environmental concerns to the public.
The governors wrote to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Andrew Wheeler, to express that as Governors, it is their duty to safeguard the Great Lakes and other waters within their boundaries. State authority to certify, revoke, or revise federal permits of discharges into waters of the United States per Section 401 is crucial to the Clean Water Act's framework of cooperative federalism. This authority allows states to maintain state water quality with respect to activities associated with federally permitted discharges.
“We strongly oppose any attempt by this administration to undermine state authority and ability to enforce water quality standards. We remain committed to do what is necessary to protect sources of drinking water, public health and our environment. The residents of our states deserve to have this critical work continue unimpeded,” the governors wrote.
The letter was led by Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and signed by the following governors:
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The full letter can be viewed here:
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