PRESENT Minutes of Meeting MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7Th Floor Conference Room Stevens T. Mason Building Lansing, Mi
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Minutes of Meeting MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7th Floor Conference Room Stevens T. Mason Building • Lansing, Michigan May 4, 1983 PRESENT Jacob A. Hoefer, Chairman Robert Holmes E. M. La ita1 a Hilary F. Sn~ll Paul H. Wendler Harry H. Whiteley James F. Cleary, Assistant Director John M. Robertson, Executive Assistant The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Peat Mining Executive Assistant Robertson provided the Commission with copies of the memorandum from Dr. James Ludwig laying out the prospective Dingman peat lands development scheduled through Black Forest Peat Company. A copy of this schedule and memorandum is on file with Executive Assistant. Staff advised that they were planning to make a status report on the schedule for policy development with respect to peat lands at the upcoming May 12-13, 1983, Commission meeting. Considerable discussion followed regarding direct leasing versus competitive bidding. Mrs. Ann Woiwode, Lansing, spoke on behalf of moving cautiously as the Commission considered development of one of Michigan's major peat resources. Proud Lake The Commission was provided with a copy of correspondence received from Milford Township stating its position with respect to further activities on development of a shooting range at Proud Lake. Copy on file with Executive Assistant. Pigeon River Country State Forest Name Change Executive Assistant Robertson circulated recent communications received from citizens urging the Commission not to consider changing the name of Minutes May 4, 1983 Page 2 the Pigeon River Country State Forest to honor former Judge Blair Moody, Jr. Discussion followed. • Commissioner Wendler, supported by Commissioner Whiteley, moved that the Commission not grant an exception to their existing policy and that the name of the Pigeon River Country State Forest not be considered for change. The motion carried by voice vote; Commissioner Snell absent. State Park Concessions In response to questions raised by Commissioner Wendler at the April meeting, the Commission was provided with copies of correspondence prepared by Jack Butterfield, Chief, Parks Division, identifying the authorities used in the leasing of State park concessions. Any questions or requests for additional discussion should be brought forward as soon as possible. Supervisor of Wells Order (A)14-8-8l The Commission was provided with a transcript of oral arguments con ducted at the April 15, 1983, Commission meeting along with the complete file and record on this matter. Discussion followed. Commissioner Laitala, supported by Commissioner Whiteley, moved that an Order be prepared which adopts the Opinion and Order of the Assistant Supervisor of Wells.(Order No. (A)14-8-81) as the Final Decision of the Natural Resources Commission. The motion carried by voice vote; Commissioner Holmes abstained; Commissioner Snell absent. Salmon Management Plan Tom Alley and Mickey Knight, State Representatives, addressed the Commission indicating an interest in further economic analysis and Commission delay in action to allow for a more comprehensive review of the plan's implications. Representative Alley indicated that the plan needed to be reviewed by local Chambers of Commerce and the Parks and Recreation Department at Michigan State University. John Scott, Chief, Fisheries Division, addressed the Commission and to a large extent alleviated a number of the concerns raised by Representatives Alley and Knight. He indicated he would have further discussions with them and report back to the Commission prior to their anticipated action at the May 12-13, 1983, meeting. Metallic Minerals Lease Sale Report William G. Turney, Deputy Director, reviewed the recently conducted sale of metallic minerals in the Upper Peninsula. He reviewed some of the statistics surrounding the sale indicating that a memorandum would be .. Mi nutes May 4, 1983 Page 3 • received by the Commission at its- upcoming May meeting which would provide additional details. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Whiteley, supported by Commissioner Laitala, moved approval of the following NaturaLResources Commission minutes: September 2, 1982; September 24, 1982; and February 25, 1983. The motion carried by voice vote; Commissioner Holmes abstained. Commissioners ' Discussion Commissioner Wendler brought forward a number of discussion items. He asked for a review of direct leasing in terms of areas and general history. He expressed concern over the release of the Department's draft report on dioxins by the Attorney Generalis Office. He reported on the meetings held with staff and with individuals from the University of Michigan with respect to the proposal to study Department organization. Considerable discussion followed with the Commission requesting that correspondence be prepared by staff to Attorney General Kelley expressing the Commission-Is concern for an interest in building a successful relationship. Commissioner Hoefer raised the issue of the Policy Advisory Committee's position as expressed by Chairman Wayne Schmidt and expressed what he felt was a lack of sensitivity on the part of the Chairman in referring to the Department's treatment of citizens of this State. Following discussion, staff was directed to prepare correspondence on this subject to Mr. Schmidt. Leadership Transition Commissioner Hoefer indicated he felt there was considerable Commission concern for appointing an Acting Director in light of the fact that the early June retirement of Howard Tanner was approaching rapidly and that the selection process for a new Director could quite likely require a couple months time. Commissioner Wendler indicated that it was his preference that the Commission deal with the appointing of an Acting Director at its formal May 12-13, 1983, meeting, inasmuch as he had indicated to the Governor's Office that action at that formal meeting could likely be anticipated. Commissioner Laitala, supported by Commissioner Wendler, moved that James Cleary be appointed Acting Director at the time of Director Tanner's retirement and that he serve until a new Director is selected. Minutes May 4, 1983 c Page 4 Considerable discussion followed. Commissioner Snell raised the issues • of the agency being adrift and that leadership with a clear new perspective was needed immediately. The motion carried by voice vote; Commissioner Snell voted "no". Legislative Activities Executive Assistant Robertson provided the Commission with copies of the legislative briefing memorandum for its May 12-13 meeting ancr encouraged them to identify topics they wished to see discussed. He also provided them with a copy of the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce legislative priorities for 1983-84. Employee Opinion Survey The Commission asked for an update on where the Department was in responding to the Employee Opinion Survey for its upcoming May meeting. Adjournment The meeting ajourned at 3:30 p.m. 9/30/83 Date Approved ( Minutes of Meeting MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Harley Hotel - Room 130 • Lansing, Michigan May 11, 1983 PRESENT Jacob A. Hoefer, Chairman Thomas J. Anderson E. R. Carollo Stephen V. Monsma Hilary F. Snell PaulH. Wendler Harry H. Whiteley Howard A. Tanner, Director John M. Robertson, Executive Assistant The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. WETLANDS c Karl Hosford, Chief, Land Resource Programs Division, reviewed the • proposed general permit for minor activities in wetlands in the State of Michigan. A copy of this proposal, which is currently subject to revision, is on file with the Executive Assistant. The purpose of reviewing this with the Commission was to alert them to upcoming public hearings scheduled for May 16-18, 1983. In addition to conducting these hearings on the proposed general permit, staff will be receiving public comment through June 1,1983. ACT 641, P.A. 1978 Gary Guenther, Deputy Director, Bureau of Environmental Protection, reviewed the recent recommendations brought forward by the environmental Policy Advisory Committee with respect to solid waste disposal. He advised the Commission that staff would bring back to the Commission at its June 9-10, 1983, meeting, a strategy for dealing with the identified problems with the State's current solid waste disposal program. REORGANIZATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU Gary Guenther provided a status of the Environmental Protection Bureau reorganization. He furnished copies of Director's Letter No. 57 dated December 20, 1982, as well as a chronology covering the period October 1981 - January 1982. Minutes May 11,1983 ( Page 2 The Commission received comment from Mr. William Bigham, Executive Director, Michigan Professional Employees Society regarding the proposed reorganization of the Environmental Protection Bureau. Mr. Bigham reviewed the claims contained in his letter to Commission Chairman Hoefer dated May 2, 1983. A copy of this letter is on file with the Executive Assistant. WAYNE COUNTY - HURON VALLEY PROJECT Dick Hinshon, Acting Chief, Community Assistance Division, reviewed the proposal to move to the forefront the Wayne County - Huron Valley water treatment system. He provided the Commission with staff's analysis of necessary revisions to the application to make it a viable project for 1983. He indicated that, if this project came up to speed for the 1983 program, it would, for all intents and purposes, substitute for a greater variety of other wastewater treatment proposals currently being scheduled. Copies of these materials are on file with the Executive Assistant. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at