Update: Air Quality Division launches new public notice site

UPDATE: Air Quality Division launches new public notice site

Today Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Air Quality Division (AQD) launched its new and improved Air Permit Public Notice webpage. The webpage is the hub of information for any public notice related to air permitting. When a facility applies to the AQD for a permit, an assessment is made determining whether the draft permit needs to go out to the public for comment prior to a decision being made regarding issuance of a permit. When a draft permit is put out for comment, the draft permit and supporting information are posted online to help the public understand what the facility is requesting and how the review of the application and writing of the draft permit is done.

In 2019, the AQD had over 20 draft permits out for comment. Ms. Annette Switzer, AQD Permit Section Supervisor stated, “The public’s participation in the permitting process is so important. Public comments often lead to changes in the permit conditions. The old version of the public notice page was not intuitive and made it a challenge for the public to find what they were looking for.” For information to be usable, the webpage had to be updated to a better format.  Ms. Switzer stated, “the updated format is much easier to use! It allows anyone looking to see what draft permits are currently out for comment and what decisions were made. Comments AQD received from the public and how those comments were addressed, as well as any voided draft permits are also posted.”

If you have questions or comments on the updated AQD public notice webpage, please feel free to contact Ms. Switzer at switzera2@michigan.gov.

If you are interested in finding out more about draft permits open for public input, you can look at EGLE’s environmental calendar and sign up to get weekly updates. The calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Office of the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training program. However, active public notices and hearings regarding wetlands, inland lakes and streams, great lakes submerged lands, dam safety, shorelands protection and management, and sand dunes are available for public view through the MiWaters Web Site.