LANSING, MI -- Nearly seven months after former Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant resigned over the Flint water crisis, Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed a permanent replacement.

Effective Aug. 1, Heidi Grether will take over for Keith Creagh, who has been leading the department on an interim basis. Creagh will return to the DNR, where Resource Deputy Bill Mortiz had been filling in for him on an interim basis. Moritz will return to his position as Resource Deputy at the DNR.

Grether currently serves as the Deputy Director at the Michigan Agency for Energy. Before that she worked for BP America, where she helped to lead Gulf Coast restoration efforts. State records show she was a registered lobbyist for BP America in Michigan from 2001 to 2008.

"Heidi has decades of experience in environmental quality issues, and has effectively served during times of crises and recovery," Snyder said. "Her expertise in delivering good customer service from a large organization will be of great value as we continue working to reinvent the department and act more proactively to address issues that arise."

But the appointment is already meeting resistance from environmental groups. Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said close to a dozen environmental groups sent a letter to Snyder detailing their priorities.

"Our coalition articulated that this critically important agency is in need of someone who has the background and experience to be a strong advocate for the health of our communities and our environment. Today's announcement seems to fly in the face of that vision," Wozniak said.

"While we are committed to working with Ms. Grether in this new role, we do question the Governor's priorities in appointing someone with deep ties to the oil industry to the task of rebuilding Michiganders' trust in our state environmental protection agency," she added. "After the Flint water crisis clearly demonstrated there were cultural problems within the DEQ, this appointment is a concerning development."

Grether has also been in the legislative staff in the Michigan House and Senate, including as legislative director for former Speaker Paul Hillegonds, a Republican.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master of Science in Natural Resource Economics and Policy, both from Michigan State University. She also belongs to the Michigan Nature Association, the Nature Conservancy and the American Bird Conservancy, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Snyder thanked Creagh for his time at the helm of DEQ.

"I want to thank Keith Creagh for managing the DEQ during the last six months. He stepped into this role during a very challenging time and has worked tirelessly to improve internal operations as well as share his expertise on the ground in Flint to aid in water quality improvement. I will always be grateful for his leadership," Snyder said.

The appointment takes effect Aug. 1. It's subject to the advice and consent of the Republican-controlled Senate, which has held hearings on recent appointments but not blocked an appointment since Snyder took office.

Emily Lawler is a Capitol reporter on MLive's statewide Impact Team. You can reach her at elawler@mlive.com, subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.