MSU Extension Natural Resources

Executive Summary

Overview

In November 2011, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) with the support of Governor Snyder and key stakeholders convened the Collaborative Stakeholders Initiative (CSI). CSI is a core element of an overall collaborative governance transformation being undertaken by the State of Michigan, its regulatory agencies and its stakeholders to address long-standing issues associated with Michigan's clean-up and redevelopment programs. Two specific goals were set for this initiative:

Goal One: Foster an improved climate of trust, cultural understanding and cooperation among stakeholders and MDEQ staff.

Goal Two: Set the stage for swift and durable implementation through the development of recommendations to the MDEQ that address seven key issue groupings facing Michigan's Part 201 and 213 programs.

The overall approach being applied to the MDEQ cleanup and redevelopment program transformation is derived from an eight step model developed by John Kotter. CSI was conceived and conducted as an initiating "spark" to expedite the cleanup and redevelopment program transformation. This "sparking" phase of the transformation was condensed by design. All CSI-related deliberations and reporting occurred between February 3 and March 15, 2012, and were branded as "2-7-3" (two goals, seven issues, and three sessions) to highlight the accelerated activity and focused process.

The issues addressed through CSI were identified from the findings of previous stakeholder processes as program areas that may likely be impeding program progress and creating unnecessary utilization of scarce resources. The process was also designed to address thirteen recommendations of the Office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR), Environmental Advisory Rules Committee. The seven Issue Groups that were identified and convened are:

1. Brownfield Redevelopment
2. Cleanup Criteria
3. Due Care Obligations
4. Free Product/Source Removal/Csat
5. Groundwater Surface Water Interface
6. Part 201 Rules
7. Vapor Intrusion

Participants in the Issue Groups included both MDEQ staff and external practitioners with expertise and experience relevant to the issue. (See appendix for a full participant list.)

To facilitate the groups' complex deliberations and increase the likelihood of actionable and durable results, the MDEQ developed a Coordinating Committee in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension as well as external and independent consultants. The Coordinating Committee was responsible for designing and guiding the CSI format and facilitating the engagement strategies for all CSI activities. The design of the three CSI working sessions was guided by principles of collaborative stakeholder discourse, appreciative inquiry, and use of neutral external facilitation. These principles included:

• Focusing on creating a hospitable space
• Exploring questions that matter
• Encouraging every one's contribution
• Connecting diverse people and ideas
• Listening together for insights, patterns and deeper questions
• Making knowledge visible

During their deliberations, issue group participants were encouraged to be collaborative, creative and innovative in developing actionable recommendations that:

• Demonstrate best professional judgment and practices in decision-making
• Recognize verifiable data and research
• Take into account trade-offs by considering relative risk, focusing on the most significant risks and most beneficial issues (e.g., "What Matters")
• Seek adaptable and durable program changes
• Use performance-based (e.g., outcome based) approaches where applicable

This process was strengthened by the diversity of the individual participants. Participants were challenged to take advantage of this opportunity to: "get it right", "get it done", and play a significant role in leveraging Michigan's assets for its future.