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Groups want EPA to revisit Clean Water Act review in Michigan

The Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Chamber of Commerce are asking the EPA to take a second look at the agency’s review of the state’s Clean Water Act permitting program.

Matt Smego with Michigan Farm Bureau tells Brownfield Michigan and New Jersey have delegated authority to administer parts of the Clean Water Act for EPA and are subject to review.  “There’s 14 areas that EPA has rejected within Michigan law to say that Michigan is inconsistent with the Clean Water Act.  We disagree with a number of the elements that EPA has suggested are inconsistent and we’re asking them to take another look.”

He says amendments made in 2013 by Michigan’s legislature clarified what is considered a regulated body of water and provisions that would impact the blueberry industry, among others.  “We’re just trying to bring common sense to application of the Clean Water Act to our state.  We see value in having a state permitting program, but it also has to be something that the state can work with the federal government in.”

He says the Trump administration calling for a new Waters of the U.S. Rule is a positive sign as part of this review, but there’s not a specific time frame with EPA to move the process forward.

AUDIO: Interview with Matt Smego