MMA Wastewater Legal Fund

For the last two years we have spent significant money and energy to fight the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and their recently updated and unreasonable wastewater management permit process. The General Permit process pertains to small and mid-sized meat processors who are on non-municipal water systems. These regulations put severe restrictions on the levels of TIN and BODs that would be allowed to be discharged by these processors. If EGLE is not stopped through legal action, and are allowed to impose the strict TIN and BODs required by the new General Permit, it is estimated that Michigan meat processors may have to invest upwards of $500,000 in water treatment systems or be forced to close.

We have worked to collaborate with other associations and in 2023 invested nearly half of our annual budget on legal and professional fees, entirely raised from Michigan Meat Association membership. All funds are currently exhausted, and we are going back to our membership once again to ask for their support. It is anticipated that we will need upwards of $125,000 to fight this case in court in the coming months (and that is not including appeals). Our attorney is confident in our case and is diligently working with key-expert witnesses to ensure that our position is demonstrated thoroughly, and the scope of long-term impact to the national meat industry is carefully considered.

Thank you for donation to keep the fight going.