I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Employees of the state departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality have received notice that their departments will merge as of Jan. 17, 2010.
DNR Director Becky Humphries and DEQ Director Stephen Chester told their staff members to expect details of the restructuring plan to be announced in an executive order to be issued by Governor Granholm this afternoon.
In a letter circulated today, Humphries and Chester offered the following preview of the governor’s plan for the new Department of Natural Resources and Environment:
Trails Advisory Council. A seven-member Trails Advisory Council will be established under the executive order, and the functions of the existing Snowmobile Advisory Council and Michigan Trailways Advisory Council, which are being abolished under the order, will be given to this council. The Michigan Trails Advisory Council will focus on the creation, development, operation, and maintenance of snowmobile, equestrian, hiking, skiing, and off-road vehicle trails.
Environmental Science Board. The director of the DNRE will be authorized to convene a seven-member Environmental Science Review Board (ESRB) to advise the DNRE on scientific issues affecting the protection and management of Michigan’s environment and natural resources. The ESRB will be comprised of individuals with expertise in biological sciences, chemistry, ecological science, geology, risk assessment, and other related disciplines. The Site Review Board process under Part 111 of the NREPA is being eliminated for greater efficiency in environmental proceedings.
Agriculture. The executive order also impacts the Michigan Department of Agriculture by giving the governor responsibility for appointing the Agriculture director, a responsibility that is currently held by the Agriculture Commission. The Office of Racing Commissioner will be transferred to the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Racing Commissioner’s position will be abolished. The executive director of the control board will assume the commissioner’s duties. Several boards and commissions within the Department of Agriculture are also being abolished.
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