Doug Ringler

Auditor General Ringler, Please see the attached letter regarding an audit of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance (ODWMA). Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, The Office of State Senator Jim Ananich Senate Minority Leader District 27 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b578_6377_6764_082 SENATE MINORITY LEADER " 517.373.0142 J | M AN AN iC H ® ©: senatedems.corn/ananich October 20, 2015 Doug Ringler, CPA, CIA Auditor General 201 North Washington Square, 6" Floor Lansing, MI 48913 Auditor General Ringler, It has come to my attention that the Office of the Auditor General is conducting an audit of the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance (ODWMA). This audit will assess the sufficiency of ODWMA’s oversight of the State's drinking water and environmental health programs. As you may know, recently independent research by physicians and water quality experts verified that the City of Flint's drinking water contains hazardous levels of lead, This lead contamination is dangerous for all Flint’s residents, but it is especially dangerous for the young children who live there. I’m hoping the audit of ODWMA will answer the following questions: * How does ODWMA ensure the data they receive is accurate? * What accountability measures are in place for ODWMaA staff who fail to follow data verification protocols? * What accountability measures are in place for ODWMA staff who lie or misrepresent information to the Environmental Protection Agency? ¢ What policies do ODWMA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) have in place to escalate major infractions up the chain of command? Please ensure that these questions are answered by this audit so I can determine what legislative steps may be necessary to strengthen transparency and accountability within ODWMA. | Thank you for your consideration of this matter, ( ( - im Ananich ‘ate Democratic Leader District 27 Sincerely, xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b578_6377_6764_083 SENATE MINORITY LEADER iG 517.979.0142 J | M A N A N | ( . H 3 : senatedems.com/ananich ce: U.S. Representative Dan Kildee Mayor Dayne Walling, City of Flint Howard Croft, City of Flint Susan Hedman, EPA Thomas Poy, EPA Michael Schock, EPA-ORD Darren Lytle, EPA-ORD Denise Fortin, EPA Dan Wyant, EPA Jim Sygo, MDEQ Pat Cook, MDEQ Stephen Busch, MDEQ Brad Wurfel, MDEQ Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b578_6377_6764_084 Rennaker, Joanne (DEQ)