Region7

FALL SEMINAR

Region 7 will be joining 3 other regions for a fall seminar. It will be a one day seminar at BJ’s restaurant in Gaylord on Saturday August 23, 2008. Please mark your calendars now. Further details will be posted on the web page and I will email the associations that I have email addresses.

Interesting Article

MDEQ Seeks Comments On Temporary General Permit - Apr 28: The MDEQ Land and Water Management Division has issued a public notice seeking public comments on its proposal to issue a Temporary General Permit to authorize certain "minor activities" in inland lakes and streams and Great Lakes connecting channels, where the activity is authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Parts 301 and 303 authorize the issuance of General Permits (GPs) for categories of activities that are similar in nature, and which MDEQ says "will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects when performed separately, and will have only minimal cumulative adverse effect on the environment."
    MDEQ and the USACE have distinct but parallel responsibilities for regulation of dredge, fill, and construction activities in certain waters in Michigan under respective State and Federal laws. MDEQ is proposing to limit staff review of specified categories of these regulated activities on a "temporary basis," where environmental review and authorization can be provided by the USACE.
    MDEQ indicates that if the GP is approved, permit applications that meet specified conditions and criteria in the waters defined in the GP will typically receive automatic approval without significant review by MDEQ staff contingent upon approval by the USACE. This measure will allow remaining staff time to be used to address other regulatory requirements and is made necessary by reductions in the Land and Water Management Division budget. When the Temporary GP expires after a two year period, the impact of this action on the environment and the regulated public will be evaluated. All comments must be received by May 28, 2008.
    The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has indicated that it is concerned that budget cuts and subsequent staff reductions are now threatening to reduce the MDEQ's ability to uphold the public trust and protect the State's natural resources. They said, "One immediate consequence of this affects the permit review process, which uses professional and knowledgeable agency staff. This process includes assessment of impacts from proposed activities, and allows the least damaging alternatives to be identified and exercised. Such review is essential to ensure protection of our valuable water resources."
    Access the notice, comment instructions and the final draft of the Temporary General Permit (click here). Access the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council comments (click here). [*MIWater]

Bush threatens to veto rules on ships' ballast water - http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/NEWS06/80423037/1008/NEWS06

	Region 7 Statistics & Information Last updated - 05/01/2008
Region 7 - is made up of Roscommon, Ogemaw, Isabella, Iosco, Clare, Arenac, Midland, Gladwin and Bay Counties.