September 2, 2003

The DEQ Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is seeking public input on draft recommendations to improve public involvement in DEQ programs.

The EAC is comprised of twenty-five individuals representing the range of interests affected by DEQ activities, including the regulated community, environmental organizations, local government, and academia. It was convened by Director Steven E. Chester to advise the DEQ on major issues affecting programs, polices, and operations. The draft recommendations offered for comment today represent the EAC’s first effort.

“It is important that the DEQ is open and inclusive to all those affected by its decisions,” said Director Chester. “That is why I asked the EAC as its first order of business to recommend how we can improve the public’s involvement in DEQ activities.”

The draft recommendations are designed to ensure that the DEQ decision-making process fosters fairness and understanding and that the public has the opportunity for a meaningful role in DEQ activities. Specific recommendations include identifying earlier opportunities for public involvement, expanding programs to assist citizens in gathering and understanding information, and organizing the DEQ web page to facilitate public involvement.

“The DEQ should continuously strive to improve the effectiveness of public involvement in its activities,” said EAC member Andy Such, Executive Director of the Michigan Chemistry Council. “We believe the draft recommendations we offer for public comment today are an important step in that direction.”

“We’ve done our best to provide recommendations based on our own experiences with the DEQ,” said EAC member Chuck Hersey, Manager of Environmental Programs for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. “But we hope that a wider range of people affected by the DEQ will also weigh in on how public involvement can be improved.”

Comment on the recommendations will be accepted until October 31, 2003.

Interested persons can obtain the draft recommendations through the DEQ website under “Announcements” at www.michigan.gov/deq or by calling 517-335-2690 and requesting a copy. Comments can be sent via email to DEQ-EAC@Michigan.gov, or by writing to Frank Ruswick, EAC Facilitator, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, MI 48909.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised September 2, 2003 by Pat Watson