MEC Capitol
Update
May 22, 2003
Senate
HB
4257 (S-4)- Bill to regulate Coastal Wetlands - The
Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
reported HB 4257 on Thursday (5/22). The reported bill includes
the following changes from the House passed bill:
The bill
allows the leveling of sand, limited mowing of vegetation
(100 feet, or width of property whichever is less), the removal
of vegetation on a six foot access path, and the grooming
of soil (raking and removal of debris).
A process by which general permit could be issued covering
either individual parcels or regions of the state (5 year
limit on general permit would apply).
A three-year pilot program under which a landowner could request
a special letter from the director that would allow the removal
of vegetation on up to 50% of a property or 100 feet whichever
was greater. The director would have 10 days to approve or
disapprove the request. [A MAJOR POINT OF DIFFERENCE THAT
IS UNDER DISCUSSION IS WHETHER THIS PROVISION SHOULD APPLY
TO "AREA THAT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY USED AS A BEACH",
OR WHETHER THAT LANGUAGE SHOULD BE CHANGED TO READ "AN
AREA THAT IS UNCONSOLIDATED MATERIALS PREDOMINANTLY COMPOSED
OF SAND, ROCK OR PEBBLES, OR PREDOMINANTLY VEGETATED BY NON-NATIVE
OR INVASIVE SPECIES"]. We have argues that the first
standard is too subjective. Action is expected on the floor
next week.
HB
4087 - The Senate Natural Resources and Environmental
Affairs Committee reported this bill to regulate disputes
where conflicts occur between groundwater users. Although
many groups, including MEC support the concept, the legislation
does not include any funding for the MDEQ to take on this
substantial new commitment. No action on this bill this week.
Committee
Action:
Senate
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
and House Land Use & Environment Committee
Held their
first hearing on out-of-state waste Wednesday in Rochester.
The following hearings are scheduled:
Wednesday,
May 28st at 6:30 pm at Meads Mill Middle School, Rondel Media
Center, 16700 Franklin Rd., Northville
Tuesday,
June 3, at 8:00 am in the Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor,
Boji Tower (formerly Michigan National Tower), Lansing
Rep. Johnson
introduced HBs
4686 - HB
4692 on this issue. They are available at: www.michiganlegislature.org
Senators
introduced SB
489, 497-500,
502.
Natural
Resources & Environmental Affairs and Appropriations Subcommittee
-
HB
4393 - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
budget - FY 03-04 - Next hearing is May 28th at 3:00 pm.
The House
passed HB 4393 on Wednesday. As announced, Rep. John Pastor,
chair of the Appropriation Subcommittee proceeded with removing
all proposed fees and cut general fund support for the department’s
environmental protection programs by 15 percent and its administration
by 30 percent.
If upheld
by the Senate, the cuts will result in the layoff of as many
120 employees at the Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
and the loss of over $15 million in federal matching funds.
Rep. Pastor is trying to minimize the impacts, but given the
inadequate nature of current program, these cuts will result
in serious threats to public health in Michigan. General Fund
support for the department has dropped from $101 million in
2001 to $51 million under the budget passed by the House.
HB
4400 - Michigan Department of Natural Resources budget
FY 03-04
Next hearing is May 27th at noon.
The House
passed HB 4400 reducing administrative general fund support
by 40%. Provisions recommended by the Governor to increase
Motor Vehicle permits into State Parks were removed. The state
is also exploring reducing the amount of taxes paid on state-owner
land.
Senate
Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism
The finished
a series of three hearings at which farmers, drain
commissioners, environmentalists and citizen activists recapped
policy
histories and positions. MEC advocated for an entirely new
water management
law:
* One that acknowledges the essential nature of public involvement
in
water decision-making.
* One that encourages regional approaches to water management.
* One that protects the environment.
* One that integrates water management and growth management.
* One that prioritizes Smart Investments that balance economic
and
environmental sustainability.
You can
read MEC's testimony at www.mecprotects.org/draincode.pdf
Task Force hearings:
Senate
Republican Task Force on Expansion of the Bottle Bill and
Recycling
June 2nd
- Sault Ste. Marie - June 2nd - 7-9 pm
House
of Representatives
Conservation
and Outdoor Recreation
HB
4492 - The committee took testimony on this
bill but is trying to limit the scope of travel that would
occur in nondesignated areas. The bill is designed to allow
disabled people over 60 years of age greater ability to use
nondesignated areas for the purpose of accessing designated
trails.
House
Agriculture Committee -
HB 4610 / SB
217
Efforts
by Rural Michigan and American Farmland Trust to dedicate
a portion of revenue from expanded video gambling to the state's
land preservation fund were defeated in the House Agriculture
Committee on a party line vote (Democrats in support). The
proposal would have dedicated 5 percent of the income to land
protection, raising $30 million for the fund. The Michigan
Farm Bureau opposed the amendment, ostensibly because it would
reduce the amount of funding dedicated to the Department of
Agriculture's enhancement program. The language in the amendment
does not bear this out. For the Farm Bureau's
position: www.michiganfarmbureau.com/specials/funding.php
House
Appropriation Subcommittee - Agriculture -
SB
288
Thursday, May 29th at 8:00 am . The budget includes cuts that
would eliminate funding for programs designed to oversee new
regulations on organic foods.
House
Appropriation Subcommittee - Transportation -
SB 265
Tuesday, May 27th at 8:00 pm - The bill includes substantial
cuts to public transportation.
