Category Archives: Water, Environment

Flint Aid Package Awaits Action in US Senate

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Recently, Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters introduced legislation, along with Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and many others, to provide additional resources for water infrastructure in light of the crisis in Flint. The legislation, S. 2579, would provide:

  • $100 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for any state, such as Michigan, that receives an emergency declaration under the Stafford Act due to a public health threat from lead or other contaminants in a public drinking water supply system;
  • $70 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) for low-interest loans for large water and wastewater infrastructure projects nationwide; and
  • $50 million to support public health initiatives, such as lead poisoning prevention, research and health assistance.

A more robust description is attached below. The bill is currently “attached” as an amendment to an energy bill in the Senate. The hold up of its passage is Senator Lee (R-UT), who has placed a “hold” on the legislation, a procedural move prevent a vote. The National League of Cities is asking cities across the country to contact their Senators to help apply pressure and send a message that all cities stand together on the Flint crisis. We are hopeful that negotiations which are occurring while the Senate is on break will result in a positive outcome when they return next week.

DRINKING WATER SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACT – Summary (3 1)

Summer Minnick is the Director of External Relations and Federal Affairs. She can be reached at 517-908-0301 or sminnick@mml.org.

DEQ to Host Workshops on Lake and Wetland Protection Tools for Local Governments

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Michigan has 11,000 inland lakes and over 1,850 units of government who share a role in keeping those lakes clean for future generations. Four workshops will be held in Michigan during the summer of 2015 to help local officials and concerned citizens understand the benefits of inland lakes to communities, the regulations that govern them, and the opportunities for enhancing protection at the local level.

Workshop Dates and Locations:
• July 21: Franklin Twp. Hall, 3922 Monroe Rd. (M-50), Tipton (Lenawee County)
• August 3: Kensington Metropark Farm Center, 2128 W. Buno Rd., Milford (Oakland County)
• August 6: North Central Michigan College Library Conference Center, 1515 Howard St., Petoskey (Emmet County)
• August 10: Van Buren Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence (Van Buren County)

Each workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The fee is $20 per person and registration is required 10 days prior to each workshop. Topics will include: the importance of inland lakes and wetlands, what you can do at the local level, natural features setbacks, existing legal framework, and how to get started in your community.

For more information or to register, visit www.VanBurenCD.org or contact Erin Fuller at 269-657-4030 x112 or erin.fuller@mi.nacdnet.net.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, and energy issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

DEQ’s Road Right-of-Way Alternate Institutional Control Process Survey

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Michigan’s environmental cleanup laws allow for the use of institutional controls when environmental contamination is proposed to be left in-place at a property. Often times, this contamination has migrated onto property controlled or operated by local units of government, tribal government or other authority, such as, road right-of-ways. Institutional controls are generally administrative and legal tools that are created for the purpose of providing information regarding the risks associated with contamination and the activities that are to be restricted or prohibited to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and the environment.

In 2014, the Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD) of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) introduced its Road Right-Of-Way Alternate Institutional Control as an instrument that may be used when contamination is proposed to be left in-place within a road right-of-way.

The DEQ-RRD has invited our members to complete a simple survey to provide them with an understanding of your knowledge, use, concerns or desire to learn more regarding the use of this instrument to control exposure and the risks associated with contamination within a road right-of-way. For a link to the survey please click here.

For questions regarding the survey, please contact Mr. Kevin Schrems at 517-284-5149 or schremsk@michigan.gov, or Mr. Dan Yordanich at 517-284-5174 or yordanichd@michigan.gov.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, and energy issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

Senate Takes Testimony on Provisions of Certain Utility Service Contracts

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Senate Local Government Committee took testimony yesterday on SB 687 sponsored by Senator Darwin Booher (R-Evart). This bill would regulate the provision of utility services (water, sanitary sewers, wastewater treatment, or electricity) provided by certain municipalities to other municipalities. It would prohibit a municipality providing utility service to another municipality from terminating the service, or refusing to renew the existing contract for the service, for any reason other than a lack of physical ability to continue providing that service.

This bill was introduced because of a situation in Senator Booher’s district involving the City of Cadillac and 4 surrounding townships. Cadillac City Manager Marcus Peccia did a terrific job testifying on behalf of the League. He expressed not only the concerns of Cadillac and their specific situation, but also the statewide implications this legislation could have.

The main concerns about this legislation include that it effectively voids any end date or termination clause in a contract our communities may have with a surrounding municipality because this bill would not allow that contract to be terminated and offers guaranteed renewal. Voiding a contracts expiration date does not promote good faith negotiations between parties. Rather, it provides an incentive for the non-providing community not to accept terms of a new contract that may include a higher rate for service because service must continue. Finally, this bill would have a significant impact on future collaboration efforts between communities because of the lack of certainty that would happen at the end of an expiring contract.

The League is opposed to this legislation and is very concerned about the impact of this legislation statewide.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

6th Annual Michigan Utility Cordination Conference

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Key elements in utility coordination are “communication, coordination, and cooperation.” The 6th Annual Michigan Utility Coordination Conference (MUCC) will have participants interactivity communicating with conference presenters. Please consider reserving your calendar for Wednesday, January 22, 2014 and plan on attending what is set up to be the best MUCC yet. The following is a link to the agenda and registration form. MUCC14form

The Michigan Municipal League will be moderating an interactive session that will focus on water and sanitary sewer systems. The session will include representatives from Midland, Novi, and Grand Rapids.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

SAW Grant Application Now Available

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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has released the finalized application for SAW Grants. A link to the application can be found here. We encourage each community to carefully consider applying for the grants and to keep a few things in mind while doing so. Consider the implication it may have on your ability to negotiate the terms and conditions of future permits, consider how accepting the grant could affect your flexibility in maintaining your systems in the future, and the short term and long term affect it could have on your community and the services it provides.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Drainage District Legislation Voted Out of House Local Government Committee

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With the support of the Michigan Municipal League HB 4622 was pass out of House Local Government Committee without opposition today. This legislation would set an additional process to review changes to drainage district boundaries that would not utilize the board of determination.

The League advocated for, and received, language that would require the use of the new review process or the use of a board of determination for any change, large or small, to the boundaries of a drainage district. Under the new process notice must be provided to each of the municipalities within the changing drainage district, notification must be publish in the newspaper that a revision and review of the boundary will be taking place, and any change in the boundary must be supported by substantial, material, and competent evidence.

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.

Scrap Tire Grants Available Through DEQ

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The Department of Environmental Quality announced the availability of grant applications for the fiscal year 2014 Scrap Tire Market Development Program and the Scrap Tire Cleanup Program.

The Scrap Tire Market Development Program Grants are available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing scrap tires to support the development of increased markets for scrap tires. Grants are also available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing equipment and/or for research and development to provide for a new or increased use for scrap tires. More information can be found here.

FY14 Market Development PRESS RELEASE

The Scrap Tire Cleanup Grant Program is available to property owners with abandon scrap tires or scrap tires at collection sites. The DEQ will give priority to funding activities at collection sites where the scrap tires were accumulated prior to January 1, 1991, and collection sites that pose an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. More information can be found here.

FY14 Cleanup Grant PRESS RELEASE

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@ml.org or 517-908-0303.

 

DEQ to Offer Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater (SAW) Grant Seminars

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The DEQ is now offering grants for stormwater and wastewater asset management plan development, stormwater management plan development, sewage collection and treatment plan development, and state funded loans to construct projects identified in an asset management plan or stromwater management plan.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide information and tools to understand the new SAW eligibility, guidance, and assistance on the application process. The seminar has been designed to provide relevant and timely information to municipal officials, drain commission offices, municipal supervisors, managers, operators, and consulting engineers.

Seminar date are September 17th, 19th, 24th, and 26th. For registration information and location details please click here.

For frequently asked question please visit: FAQ. For general information about SAW grants please visit: SAW Grants

John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation and infrastructure issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.