House, Senate poised to eliminate three environmental oversight boards

The state House and Senate are considering legislation to repeal three environmental oversight boards created in 2018 that were originally advocated for by Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, to increase transparency and accountability within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. 

If Senate Bill 393-394 and House Bill 4826 are approved, the Environmental Science Advisory Board, Environmental Permit Review Commission and Environmental Rules Review Committee would be permanently dissolved. 

Michigan Farm Bureau opposes the legislation and submitted written testimony to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee and House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee who held hearings on the bills Oct. 19. 

Ben Tirrell, associate legislative counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau, said the organization wants to see the state reinvest in the boards instead of disbanding them. 

“We believe regulatory agencies should be subject to a review process for rulemaking decisions, based on the highly scientific and technical nature of many of these determinations,” Tirrell said. 

“These are valuable tools in reaching our economic development and population growth goals. These entities provide an important level of scientific review and transparency that encourages businesses to invest in our state, providing the jobs Michigan needs to retain talent.”

Addressing the committee members, Tirrell said, “Michigan Farm Bureau members share your commitment to preserving our state’s natural resources and protecting the environment. 

“However, this legislation is counterproductive, the state needs additional review of environmental policy and increased transparency, not less.”

Under current law, the boards have the following responsibilities:

• The governor-appointed Environmental Permit Review Commission was created to advise the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Director on disputes related to permits and permit applications.

• The Environmental Rules Review Committee was created to oversee EGLE’s rulemaking.

• The Environmental Science Advisory Board was created to advise the governor and any state office, agency, or department on issues affecting the protection of the environment or management of natural resources in the State, upon request of the governor.