DEQ/DNR Recombination Nearing Critical Stage

The Michigan LCV Education Fund is keeping a close eye on proceedings in Lansing related to the recombination of the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Natural Resources (DNR). As part of the ongoing effort to streamline state government, the Governor issued an executive order (EO 2009-45) in October of 2009 to recombine these departments that were separated under former Governor John Engler in 1995.

While this effort provides an opportunity to create a cutting edge department that holistically addresses environmental regulation and ecosystem management by combining the expertise of the DNR and the DEQ, there is considerable risk that an even weaker department will emerge that waters down environmental protection and endangers habitat maintenance and management (state parks, forests, campgrounds, etc.).

For more information on the process, please visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment information page.