The state of Michigan is considering how best to pursue environmental justice in poor and minority communities. Join governmental representatives and key stakeholders as they share their views on a recently released draft policy at a symposium titled "Environmental Justice in Michigan: The Challenges and Opportunities of Implementing the Governor’s Directive." Members of the State’s Environmental Justice Working Group, which was charged with developing an implementation plan for the Governor’s Environmental Justice Executive Directive, will be panelists, including Steven Chester, former head of the Michigan DEQ, who will  be giving an overview of the plan.

The Draft Michigan Environmental Justice Plan is being made available for public comment.  The plan was developed in response to Executive Directive 2007 – 23, issued by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm on Nov. 21, 2007.  It was developed by the Environmental Justice Working Group, composed of several state agencies, environmental justice advocacy groups, academia, tribal representatives, research professionals and representatives of economic development and business organizations.

Comment on the Draft Plan will be accepted until April 9, 2010, and can be sent to DEQ-EJplan@michigan.gov.

Reception immediately follows in Ford Commons.

Symposium panelists:

• Steven Chester, Former Director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
• Rhonda Anderson, Environmental Justice Organizer, Sierra Club Detroit
• Jarod Davis, Industry Representative, State Environmental Justice Working Group
• Ginny King, Environmental Safety & Security Group Counsel, Marathon Oil Company
• Pamela Smith, Community Health Improvement Director, Saginaw County Dept. of Public Health
• Donele Wilkins, Executive Director, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice

• Sara Gosman, Adjunct Professor, Law School
• Paul Mohai, Professor, School of Natural Resources and Environment