LANSING – Two departments that in recent years had moved heavily to fees and federal funds would see some general fund support come back under Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed fiscal year 2012-13 budget.

The departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources have seen general fund cuts in most of the last decade to the point where general fund was a minimal part of both budgets. The recommendation would not come close to fully restoring those previous cuts, but both agencies would see relatively large general fund increases.

As a percentage, the DNR would see the largest general fund boost, with a 36.4 percent increase to $19.5 million, plus another $2.1 million in one-time spending. But that would be part of $341.8 million overall funding.

This percent change reflects the difference in what the administration considers ongoing funding from the 2011-12 fiscal year to ongoing funding for the 2012-13 fiscal year. Some funding items in both years were considered one-time. The administration did not provide sufficient data in its budget book to make an accurate comparison of total funding from 2011-12 to 2012-13.

The budget would provide the DEQ $25.2 million in regular increases, a 12.8 percent boost, and another $4.2 million in one-time spending from the general fund. Overall, the department would have $431.5 million.

For the 2013-14 fiscal year, Snyder has proposed further general fund increases for the DEQ, to $25.7 million, with relatively flat overall funding at $428.5 million (once the one-time spending is taken out).

For the DNR, the 2013-14 budget plan is a bit more flat at $340 gross (again after one-time spending is removed), $19.8 million general fund.

A new dam management grant program provides a substantial part of the general fund boost for the DNR. The program includes $2 million for one-time grants plus $500,000 for on-going program costs.

Another $5 million would create a summer youth employment initiative that would bring in at-risk youth from Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and Saginaw to work at DNR facilities.

Among the uses for that additional general fund in the DEQ is $1.5 million, plus $500,000 in federal funds, to run the state’s wetlands program. The new funds replace depleted restricted funds that had run the program. An advisory committee is expected to have long-term funding recommendations in August that would then replace the general fund again in future years.

And $2.5 million general fund will match federal grants for the drinking water revolving fund program.

The governor proposed replacing $10 million in refined petroleum fund money that had been used for debt service with general fund, moving the restricted funds to cleanup programs. This is proposed as an ongoing change.

Snyder will also be seeking to use $250 million in Great Lakes Water Quality Bond funds for a new grant program, as well as expansion of an existing loan program, to assist local communities with sewer system improvement projects. The budget includes $725,000 from the current program to cover staff for the expansion, but the statute governing the bonds would have to change to allow the shift in use.

FEES: The budget would provide for two fees increases in the DNR. The off-road vehicle fee, currently $16.25, would increase to $35.

The department will also be seeking permission to charge to use its shooting ranges. Facilities on state park lands are run by vendors and charge an admission fee, but those on other state lands, run by the state, do not have a fee.

AGRICULTURE: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development would have $74.5 million gross, $34.2 million general fund, for the coming fiscal year, including several one-time programs. The $72.04 million in on-going gross spending represents a 3.5 percent cut, but the $31.9 million on-going GF is a 6.8 percent increase.

For the 2013-14 fiscal year, Snyder has recommended another overall spending increase of 1.9 percent to $73.4 million, with general fund increased 2.1 percent to $32.6 million.

Among the key programs is $1 million to help the department reach its goal of having 5,000 farms certified under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program by 2015.

The department would also see $1.5 million in one-time funds for grants to implement the new federal food safety requirements, which include additional producer training and inspections, as well as to help five regional food hubs develop marketing opportunities for producers.

The migrant housing program would see a $400,000 boost aimed at helping craft rules to oversee the program as well as to conduct needed inspections.

In keeping with the department’s added focus of rural development, $600,000 is set aside for providing technical assistance on such things as water and energy to help food producers and processors expand. Overall, rural development programs have $3.5 million ($1 million general fund).

Another $500,000 in general funds would be used to create a one-time grant program to allow conservation district to help private landowners develop sustainable forest management plans.

Among regular programs, the largest pot of money in the department is the laboratory program at $13.9 million ($2 million general fund), followed by the Food and Dairy program at $13.3 million ($9.2 million general fund).

Departmental administration is set at $6.8 million ($4.9 million general fund).

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