September 14, 2006, Introduced by Senators ALLEN, GILBERT, SANBORN, GOSCHKA, BIRKHOLZ, VAN WOERKOM and JELINEK and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 3104a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 3104a. (1) To address cross-jurisdictional water quality
issues, the department shall facilitate the formation of a Great
Lakes water quality council. The council shall consist of
environmental and public health officials from state and local
governments and Canadian provinces within the Great Lakes region.
The council shall research and recommend public policy measures to
address cross-jurisdictional water quality issues, including, but
not limited to, water quality monitoring, discharges from sewage
overflows and toxic spills, appropriate investigatory procedures to
determine the cause and extent of these discharges, and
apportionment of costs and responsibilities for these discharges.
The council shall also make recommendations for funding and
appropriate enforcement measures that will help to develop a
coordinated cross-jurisdictional water quality plan. The council
may seek assistance from other persons and may hold public hearings
to gather input from interested parties.
(2) The department shall annually submit a report to the
governor and to the standing committees of the legislature with
primary jurisdiction over issues pertaining to natural resources
and the environment that includes the findings and recommendations
of the council.