Update

The ORR made 17 specific recommendations concerning cleanup and remediation activities in the department. MMA members worked closely with the MDEQ to implement those recommendations and continue the progress made in 2010 and 2011 to improve these programs. Anne Couture guided the efforts to improve these programs as the interim chief of the Remediation Division. In late December Director Wyant announced that Robert Wagner would be the new Chief of the Remediation Division and Anne would return to her position as Special Policy Advisor to the Director. Read more on Robert Wagner and the announcement.

Background

In 2011 the Office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR) conducted a thorough investigation and review of the rules, regulations and laws governing the activities of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Following 5 months of meetings, the ORR sent 79 recommendations to Governor Snyder on rules and regulations that should be changed or eliminated in the MDEQ. Dan Wyant, MDEQ Director announced in early 2012 that the department would begin immediately to implement the Governor’s recommendations. Read more on the MDEQ implementation of the ORR recommendations is available.