Trending...
- Michigan: MSHDA rolls out online application tool for COVID Emergency Rental Assistance
- Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on the Passing of Elbert Hatchett
- Statement from the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) on COVID-19 Protocols and Vaccine Hesitancy in the Black Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2020
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
EGLE finds no basis for contested case under Safe Drinking Water Act, welcomes legislative review of law and calls for royalties
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that it has dismissed a case challenging the permit issued to Nestlé Waters North America in 2018 for increased water withdrawals from its bottled water facility in Osceola County.
EGLE found that the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians erred in not appealing the permit directly to circuit court.
On April 24, 2020, an administrative law judge found that Nestle's permitted withdrawals are reasonable under the current state law and include adequate monitoring and safeguard measures to ensure protection of the state's water resources.
"EGLE remains committed to protecting our state's valuable water resources, but as a regulatory agency we must act within our statutory authority," said EGLE Director Liesl Clark. "The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EGLE to hold contested case hearings under very limited circumstances which are not present in this case."
More on Michimich.com
Issued during the former administration by EGLE's predecessor agency, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Nestlé permit represents the most intensely scrutinized permit in the agency's history. The company's operations in Osceola County are also the most intensively monitored water withdrawals in the state. EGLE's extensive monitoring of the site, along with data from the United States Geological Survey stream gauge, provides a high level of certainty that water resources in the area are actively monitored and protected.
Many of the public comments received by EGLE expressed concern that Nestlé was not required to pay a fee for its withdrawal of groundwater. The law currently does not allow EGLE to charge a fee for groundwater withdrawals intended for bottled water.
"We appreciate the calls from the petitioners and other members of the public for water withdrawal royalties on bottled water payable to the state, but that is currently outside of EGLE's statutory authority," Clark said. "EGLE supports the calls from lawmakers to take action to prevent private parties from profiting off our state's water resources."
Clark said EGLE would welcome legislative changes that would update regulations to give the agency more authority over water withdrawals for bottled water and royalties to compensate Michiganders for the commercial use of the state's freshwater resources.
November 20, 2020
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
EGLE finds no basis for contested case under Safe Drinking Water Act, welcomes legislative review of law and calls for royalties
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that it has dismissed a case challenging the permit issued to Nestlé Waters North America in 2018 for increased water withdrawals from its bottled water facility in Osceola County.
EGLE found that the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians erred in not appealing the permit directly to circuit court.
On April 24, 2020, an administrative law judge found that Nestle's permitted withdrawals are reasonable under the current state law and include adequate monitoring and safeguard measures to ensure protection of the state's water resources.
"EGLE remains committed to protecting our state's valuable water resources, but as a regulatory agency we must act within our statutory authority," said EGLE Director Liesl Clark. "The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EGLE to hold contested case hearings under very limited circumstances which are not present in this case."
More on Michimich.com
- PocketSuite Partners With ShearShare to Help Stylists Boost Business
- The Anderson Group Real Estate Services' New Concierge Program Aims To Help Nashville-area Homeowners Sell For Top Dollar
- Public asked to help guide Michigan's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
- Michigan: Lane closures on US-31 bascule bridge in Manistee next two weeks for exploratory soil borings
- Michigan: DNR's Eastern UP Citizens' Advisory Council to meet in virtual session
Issued during the former administration by EGLE's predecessor agency, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Nestlé permit represents the most intensely scrutinized permit in the agency's history. The company's operations in Osceola County are also the most intensively monitored water withdrawals in the state. EGLE's extensive monitoring of the site, along with data from the United States Geological Survey stream gauge, provides a high level of certainty that water resources in the area are actively monitored and protected.
Many of the public comments received by EGLE expressed concern that Nestlé was not required to pay a fee for its withdrawal of groundwater. The law currently does not allow EGLE to charge a fee for groundwater withdrawals intended for bottled water.
"We appreciate the calls from the petitioners and other members of the public for water withdrawal royalties on bottled water payable to the state, but that is currently outside of EGLE's statutory authority," Clark said. "EGLE supports the calls from lawmakers to take action to prevent private parties from profiting off our state's water resources."
Clark said EGLE would welcome legislative changes that would update regulations to give the agency more authority over water withdrawals for bottled water and royalties to compensate Michiganders for the commercial use of the state's freshwater resources.
0 Comments
Latest on Michimich.com
- Stellantis Introduces New Mopar '21 Ram 1500 Special Edition in North America
- West Coast Customs icon launches "CarCoin" NFT, giving away an original WCC designed vehicle to celebrate
- Michigan: Maintenance on northbound I-69 off ramp to Cochran Road in Eaton County starts April 19
- Michigan: A public hearing to consider the possible parole of Anthony Tolbert, #182928
- Michigan: Help prevent the spread of oak wilt: Avoid pruning or wounding oak trees between April 15 and July 15
- Michigan: Notice of Issuance of One or More Series of Up To $700 Million Limited Obligation Revenue Bonds (Federally Taxable) in June 2021
- Michigan: AG Nessel Prevails in Tethers for Wolverine Watchmen
- PEI Selected Three-Time Top Microsoft Gold Partner in the U.S
- New Book "Educating Marston" Provides Hope for Anyone Struggling to Find Answers Raising a Child with Autism
- ArborMotion Updates Their Website
- The Miguel Wilson Collection celebrates the grand opening of its New York City location
- Mary Free Bed Dishes Up New Dining Services for Patients
- 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Earns Good Housekeeping Best Hybrid Minivan Honors
- Michigan: Unemployment Extended Benefits program ends April 17
- Michigan: AG Nessel Files Embezzlement Charges Against Former EGLE Employee
- Michigan: Work on Burns Street overpass replacement requires closing a lane on westbound I-94 in Detroit
- Terri Ross, Renowned Practice Consultant, Joins Dozens of Industry Thought Leaders to Speak at the ISAPS Business School Program
- Sterling Watson's Deadly Sweet Released
- Michigan: Attorney General Nessel Partners with Responsibility.org to Prevent Underage Drinking During Alcohol Responsibility Month
- Michigan: M-53 closed Friday night, April 16, for culvert replacement at Stiles Road in Lapeer County