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May 1, 1995
The Michigan Peat Co. sues the state for a $300 million "taking" after the DNR rejects its application to mine
a 2,800-acre wetland in Sanilac County. The Minden Bog is the largest wetland in the Lower Peninsula.
June 5, 1995
Lawmakers amend the Polluter Pay law to shift the burden of contaminated site cleanups from polluters to
taxpayers. They also ease groundwater protection standards to allow more pollution to remain at contaminated sites.
June 20, 1995
Responding to a court order in a lawsuit brought by the Michigan Environmental Trust Ltd., the DNR
increases the minimum spacing between Antrim Shale gas wells from 40 acres to 80 acres.
July 31, 1995
Gov. Engler removes the authority to regulate air and water quality, toxic substances, and oil and gas
development from the DNR and assigns it to a new agency, the Department of Environmental Quality.
Aug. 1, 1995
Russell Harding is named director of the DEQ.
Sept. 1995
The MI Society of Planning Officials publishes a 12-volume Trend Future Report, which finds that sprawl is
contributing to air and water pollution; harm to fish and wildlife habitat; damage to the farm economy; threats
to the Great Lakes coast, growing turmoil in cities; and higher public expenses for utilities, roads, and schools.
Oct. 11, 1995
Roland Harmes resigns as DNR director. He becomes a lobbyist for the oil and gas companies he once was in
charge of regulating.
Dec. 12, 1995
The Homestead Resort in Leelanau Co. proposes to swap 161 acres of wetland, which the law has blocked the
resort from filling for a golf course, for 207 acres of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Engler
Administration, the state Senate, U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham, and several local governments support the proposal.
Nov. 13, 1995
Gov. Engler settles a "takings" lawsuit involving oil and gas drilling in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness near
Ludington for $94.85 million in taxpayer funds, preventing a full review by the Michigan Supreme Court and
creating a legal precedent for property rights claims.
Jan. 6, 1996
Gov. Engler signs a bill that weakens the state's Sand Dunes Protection Act by allowing building on steeper slopes.
Jan. 23, 1996
K.L. Cool is named DNR director.
March 5, 1996
Gov. Engler signs the Property Rights Preservation Act directing state agencies to determine whether
government actions results in "takings" of private property.
March 12, 1996
The Chamber of Commerce in Traverse City launches New Designs for Growth, a land use management
program to improve planning in a five-county region.
March 15, 1996
Gov. Engler signs the MI Self-Audit Privilege and Immunity Act, which allows businesses to avoid state
inspection if they conduct internal audits of their emissions into the environment. Companies may keep some
information on pollution secret, and executives receive immunity from civil and some criminal violations.
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