"We may, as a gesture of appreciation for the governor's direct involvement, take a look at restoring the funds," State Rep. John Moolenaar said today. Plans to adjust funding for the DEQ will be brought to the House floor Wednesday, he said. Among other potential cuts is a 15 percent pay cut for the director of the department, Steve Chester.

The appropriations committee voted last week on the matter, and Moolenaar acknowledged the move was a "message of intent," for what some considered irresponsibility in handling mid-Michigan's dioxin contamination.

If the division were left without funding, the administration of hazardous waste permits and regulations would be referred to the U.S. Environmental Agency.

Chester and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, at a Saturday meeting, expressed an interest in slowing and re-evaluating testing and remediation plans in Midland and in conducting a bioavailability study to help determine actual risk in deciding a state residential direct contact criteria for dioxin.

At the crux of the dioxin debate is whether the state's standard for the manufacturing byproduct is reasonable. The federal government uses 1,000 parts per trillion as an action level, which is adjusted if potential health risk warrants a shift downward. The state's level is 90 ppt .

Moolenaar and Sen. Tony Stamas have introduced legislation that would adopt the federal standard for Michigan.

If the DEQ remains intact, Moolenaar said language incorporating the federal guidelines likely would be included in regulations.

"We weren't satisfied with the direction the DEQ was taking," Moolenaar said of recent happenings. "But there has been appropriate response and we're working toward a solution on this."