State agriculture groups and attorneys representing more than 100 farmers pleaded their case to the Michigan Supreme Court, contending that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) overstepped its authority when new rules were written into the permit by EGLE in 2020 without going through the required legislative process. The permit was updated with lowered phosphorus application limits, banned the transfer of manure to other farms from January to March, and expanded reporting requirements, among other changes. This led agricultural groups to first bring the case to lower courts in 2020. Michigan Farm Bureau does not expect a decision to be made by the Supreme Court until late spring or early summer.
This article appeared in the February 2024 issue of Journal of Nutrient Management on page 5. Not a subscriber? Click to get the print magazine.
