A coalition of Michigan environmental groups, including the Institute, published the second comprehensive report in four months on how the state Department of Environmental Quality evaded environmental laws. The new report, Continuing Dereliction of Duty, highlights policies and specific communities harmed by the environmental agency's failure to abide by the law and good public policy. The coalition stressed its support for the many DEQ staff at the middle and lower levels of the agency who strive valiantly to pursue the public interest in spite of the front office's disdain for obeying the law. Double Wetland Duty Local governments take up state's enforcement slack With its own wetland ordinance in progress, northern Michigan's Antrim County joins a growing chorus of community officials across the state who say they can no longer rely solely on state government to do the wetland protection job that taxpayers fund and state laws mandate. We will edit and publish it.
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Use the news articles and reports listed here to learn about and influence state policy for wetlands, public lands, water quality, public health, and air quality. Successful advocacy depends on having the right message, strategy, communications capacity, and funds. The Toolkit will point you in the right direction. The Engler administration has sought for a decade to weaken state law and accelerate development of Michigan's protected wetlands. Helping citizens establish winning goals, strategy, messages, and organizations.