This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by updating the procedures for assessing wetlands in Michigan. It mandates the Department of Environmental Quality to create a preliminary inventory of wetlands on a county-by-county basis and file it with relevant local offices. Property owners or lessees can request an assessment of their land to determine if it contains wetlands, provided they submit a signed form with a legal description and a map of the property, along with permission for the department to enter the land. The department is required to complete the assessment within 60 days and provide a detailed report that includes the location of any wetlands, activities requiring permits, and information on reassessment options.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the department shall not charge a fee for the requested assessments and clarifies that certain drainage structures do not qualify as wetlands. It also establishes that if an area is determined not to be a wetland, that determination is binding for three years. The bill includes provisions for property owners to request a reassessment if they believe the initial determination was incorrect, provided they submit new evidence. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline the assessment process while ensuring property owners are informed of their rights and the regulatory landscape regarding wetlands.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.30321