PERMIT LOCALS TO RESCIND NATURAL RIVER DESIGNATION
House Bill 4641
Sponsor: Rep. Ken Bradstreet
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 9-16-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4641 AS INTRODUCED 5-6-03
Under Part 305 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (formerly the Natural Rivers Act, Public Act 231 of 1970), the Department of Natural Resources can designate a river (or a portion of a river) as a “natural river area for the purpose of preserving and enhancing its values for water conservation, its free flowing condition, and its wildlife, boating, scenic, aesthetic, floodplain, ecologic, historic, and recreational value and uses”. The natural river program provides, among other things, for a long-range comprehensive plan to be developed by the DNR for each natural river area, and allows the department to establish zoning rules if it determines that local zoning does not exist or is inadequate.
House Bill 4641 would require the Natural Resource Commission to rescind the designation if the governing bodies of the majority of the counties and townships within the natural river area pass resolutions rescinding the designation.
Under the bill, beginning two years after a natural river designation had been made, the affected counties and townships could review the natural river designation for a period of time not exceeding 90 days. The resolutions to rescind a designation would have to be passed by the local units during this 90-day period.
Further, every 10 years after the initial review, the counties and townships within the natural river area could again review the designation for a 90-day period, during which the counties and townships could pass resolutions to rescind the designation. Again, if a majority of the governing bodies voted to rescind the designation, the NRC would have to rescind the designation.
MCL 324.30502a
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.