The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will accept public comments until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 21 regarding Nestlé Waters North America, Inc.’s application to increase the large quantity water withdrawal from Production Well-101, located in Evart, Osceola County, under Section 17 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399, as amended.
In addition, the MDEQ will hold a public information session on Wednesday, April 12 from 4-6 p.m. followed by a public hearing from 7-9 p.m. at Ferris State University at The University Center, 805 Campus Drive, in Big Rapids. The facility in Big Rapids is large enough to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
On Feb. 14, 2017, the MDEQ requested additional information from Nestlé Waters North America, Inc. about the proposed large quantity water withdrawal increase and anticipate receiving the company’s response by March 16. The extension of the public comment period will allow the MDEQ staff adequate time to prepare the draft permit as well as offer public participation.
Written comments must be emailed to deq-eh@michigan.gov or mailed to:
MDEQ, Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division
Environmental Health Section
P.O. Box 30421
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7741
The MDEQ reviews all comments however the number of comments received is not one of the factors considered in permit decisions. For this permit application process, comments providing a legal or scientific justification for denying, altering or approving the permit will be considered based on the regulatory decision framework outlined in Section 17.
Additional information, including Nestlé’s Waters North America, Inc.’s Application Information Package and Section 17 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, can be viewed at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313-399187–,00.html.
Source: DEQ
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