|
Appropriations Summary |
Actual [1] |
Recommended |
Savings |
|
Interdepartmental Grants/Transfers |
$14,042,900 |
$14,042,900 |
$0 |
|
Federal Funds |
$131,521,400 |
$130,927,005 |
$594,395 |
|
General Fund/General Purpose |
$69,442,500 |
$68,915,920 |
$526,580 |
|
Special Revenue Funds |
$189,812,800 |
$182,458,425 |
$7,354,375 |
|
Gross Appropriation |
$404,819,600 |
$396,344,250 |
$8,475,350 |
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was
created by Executive Order in 1995 as the state’s principal regulatory agency
for air, land, water and other natural resources. With a full-time staff
numbering 1,679, the department monitors air and water quality, administers
state and federal discharge and emissions permits, enforces public compliance
with numerous environmental requirements, and promotes pollution prevention.
By creating the DEQ, then-Gov. John Engler sought to consolidate regulatory
functions previously administered, along with various recreation and
conservation programs, by the Department of Natural Resources. Proponents say
the re-organization eliminated a severe backlog of environmental permit
applications, streamlined bureaucracy, and improved regulatory accountability.
Further improvement is possible. A proliferation of duplicative environmental
regulations continues to impose ever-greater burdens on both the DEQ and the
public, exacerbating Michigan’s budget crisis. State government cannot afford
to duplicate environment-related services that are already provided by
businesses, private landowners, or environmental groups. Neither can they afford
to undertake programs that yield marginal benefits. Priorities must be set to
maximize environmental improvements. The programs identified below fall into one
or both of these categories.
