3/8/11
- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law measures sponsored
by a local legislator aimed at expanding and strengthening a voluntary
program to help farmers protect the environment. The two bills signed by
Snyder Tuesday in Lansing were his first as governor and Snyder says the
bills are important for the state's agriculture industry. Critics say they
worry the bills could allow some larger farms to increase pollution with
little oversight. The legislation was put forward by State Senator Joe
Hune of Hamburg Township and deals with putting aspects of the Michigan
Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into state law. The program
aims to help farmers evaluate their operations to better identify and prevent
possible environmental problems. Farmers must attend education seminars,
have their properties assessed for environmental risk and implement an
action plan to become certified. Roughly 1,000 farms have become verified
or requested verification through the program. Hune says as chairman of
the Senate Agriculture Committee and a farmer himself, he recognizes the
vital role agriculture plays in Michigan’s economy. Prior to serving
in the Legislature, Hune owned and operated an agri-business in his hometown
of Fowlerville. (JM)
3/8/11
- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law measures sponsored
by a local legislator aimed at expanding and strengthening a voluntary
program to help farmers protect the environment. The two bills signed by
Snyder Tuesday in Lansing were his first as governor and Snyder says the
bills are important for the state's agriculture industry. Critics say they
worry the bills could allow some larger farms to increase pollution with
little oversight. The legislation was put forward by State Senator Joe
Hune of Hamburg Township and deals with putting aspects of the Michigan
Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into state law. The program
aims to help farmers evaluate their operations to better identify and prevent
possible environmental problems. Farmers must attend education seminars,
have their properties assessed for environmental risk and implement an
action plan to become certified. Roughly 1,000 farms have become verified
or requested verification through the program. Hune says as chairman of
the Senate Agriculture Committee and a farmer himself, he recognizes the
vital role agriculture plays in Michigan’s economy. Prior to serving
in the Legislature, Hune owned and operated an agri-business in his hometown
of Fowlerville. (JM)
