the Governor ordered the DNR and DEQ to combine..What is that going to mean to outdoorsman?? Does that mean our license fees will go towards funding extreme conservation efforts?? I see the head of the Sierra club is all for it, so I cannot believe it is a good thing for Michigan Hunters, Fisherman and ORV users.....
I don't think that it will affect us one way, or another. Prior to 2002 they were combined, with Environmental Quality being a division within DNR. Much of what DEQ did crossed into DNR's area. I didn't understand the split, at the time, so the consolidation made sense to me.
DEQ funding was generated through Fed grants, and their own permitting fees, and fines. I work closely with both (now one) departments, and know that the funding within the divisions typically comes from restricted funding sources. Those funds are targeted for very specific projects within the earmarked division (i.e. Fisheries funds for Fisheries projects, Parks and Rec funds for P and R projects, etc.). There are even specific program funds for specific program projects within the divisions.
Correction, the split actually occurred around 1996. It sure didn't seem like it was that long ago.
Good information from someone that knows firsthand...Thanks....
Good ole Gov Engler came to the MUCC board of directors before he was elected and promised all of us (I was on the board at the time) he would NOT split the MDNR into two agencies. Rumors about friends who wanted permits approved they could not get approved for made us concerned as outdoors people.
One of the first things he did right after he was elected was split the DEQ out. Shortly after that, permits were suddenly approved that had been blocked before. Additional interesting things occurred that seemed to benefit people close to the 'good' governor too.
Permit approvals changed dramatically after DEQ was created as a separate agency. There seemed to be an invisible wall between DNR and DEQ for a long too that cost all of us in many negative ways.
Dan, I always suspected that there were some "favors" that played into the split. That, plus the split created another "director level" position that would have to be filled (possibly by someone close to the Gov?).
Does anyone know what the final changes are going to mean to us? I hunt and fish a great deal. I like most everything about the laws and rules in our state now. Like most, I would love to see a longer bass season.
Not sure yet if things will change for us. We definitely need to keep an eye on it though.