LANSING – House Democrats today moved forward on two more budgets for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 by passing the 2008 budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The budgets reflect House Democrats' efforts to streamline government spending through reforms.
"The DEQ budget we passed today is an important step forward in protecting our Great Lakes and enforcing laws against polluters," said State Representative Doug Bennett (D-Muskegon), who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environmental Quality. "Michigan residents have every right to expect that we will protect our Great Lakes and our other natural resources. This budget represents an important step in strengthening protections for our land, air and water."
The DEQ budget was decreased to $372.7 million from $436.5 million, a cut of 14.6 percent. The 2008 budget will allow the DEQ to maintain key regulatory programs and restore services that have declined in recent years – especially in air quality, groundwater protection, and land and water management programs. The DEQ budget provides needed funding to improve Michigan's air quality program to ensure that federal requirements are met and provides Michigan's groundwater discharge permitting program with funds to add a compliance sampling inspection program.
The DNR budget was increased to $310.9 million from $282.1 million, an increase of
10.2 percent; it includes a
13.1 percent increase in federal funding. The budget boosts existing programs by allowing for increased deer habitat
enhancement, cormorant control and forest fire protection. It also includes $20 million from the 21st Century Jobs Fund
to boost Michigan's struggling lumber industry.
"The DNR plays a vital role in protecting our natural areas, which make Michigan a jewel in the Midwest," said State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources. "Visitors come to Michigan to enjoy our state's natural beauty, to hunt in our forests, and to fish on our waters. Our forestry industry plays a key role in our economy in northern Michigan. Giving the DNR the resources needed to ensure our state remains a destination spot and our forests remain healthy and strong will help boost our local economies."