Water… Plentiful Water! was one of the key take-aways that I noted while attending the Michigan Chemistry Council (MCC) Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception. This message about Michigan’s most abundant resource (water) was addressed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). And, further, a message of continued cooperation between business and government is a general theme that the MDEQ has been focused on for several years.

MDEQ – Balance Water Protection and Water Use

As it relates to water, the MDEQ referred to this freshwater resource as one that Michigan needs to carefully manage. There needs to be a balance of water protection and water use as an economic incentive and advantage to attract business (manufacturing, agriculture, chemical, tourism, etc…).

MDEQ Director, Dan Wyant, offered the example that more agriculture is coming to Michigan from the drought-stricken states, primarily because we have plenty of clean, fresh water. Wyant also said that we (MDEQ) need to be ready with a strategy – a strategy that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development.

Environmental regulations

These new strategies would presumably complement the existing regulatory structure. Michigan’s regulations to protect surface and groundwater include the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (Michigan has authority under the Clean Water Act to issue permits), Groundwater Withdrawal and Discharge Permit Applications, and Pollution Incident Prevention Plans (PIPP) to name a few.

If you have questions about other topics covered at the MCC meeting or water permitting issues, please feel free to contact me at jbolin@dragun.com or by phone at 248-932-0228, ext 125.