Big Expectations for Smaller Government Agency
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
LANSING, Mich. - Big expectations are following a move by the state of Michigan to combine two resource management agencies. Conservation organizations across Michigan say that as long as the two agencies are being downsized and combined, the newly-created Department of Natural Resources and Environment should serve as a role model for the rest of the country.
Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak says combining the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality in order to save a few hundred thousand dollars is the wrong approach. However, she says, there is an opportunity and an expectation that the new combined department will be more efficient and more cutting-edge.
"If the agencies are combined properly, we believe we might be able to serve as a model for other states and indeed other countries in protecting natural resources. It's also a chance for Michigan to reclaim our lost leadership role in managing our natural resources."
Wozniak says Michigan currently ranks 47th in the nation for investment in natural resource management programs. She adds that, before the two departments were combined and funding dwindled, Michigan served as a model in resource management for the rest of the country.
Wozniak says that, after making campaign promises to protect the state's natural resources, some legislators don't prioritize funding for management, because it's not viewed as a quality-of-life issue. However, she says, properly managing natural resources actually helps define quality of life.
"If we're going to continue to push our 'Pure Michigan' ads around the nation, we need to put our money where our mouth is and protect our lakes, our lake shores, our forests and the state parks to make sure they're open for people to visit."
The new combined agency is expected to officially go into operation in mid-January.
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