Bill > HB5082

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by modifying regulations around wetland assessment and delineation. The bill requires the state department to conduct wetland inventories and establishes a process for property owners to request wetland assessments on their land. Specifically, property owners can submit a request with details about their parcel, and the department must conduct an assessment within 60 days, providing a written report that identifies wetland locations, describes potential permit requirements, and clarifies jurisdictional limitations. The bill introduces several key changes, including mandating that the department cannot charge a fee for these assessments, specifying that certain drainage structures and temporary water obstructions do not automatically constitute wetlands, and establishing that a negative wetland determination is binding for three years. The bill also clarifies that agricultural drains should not be considered when determining wetland contiguity and provides a mechanism for property owners to request reassessment if they believe the initial evaluation was incorrect. These provisions aim to provide more clarity and transparency in wetland identification and regulation, while potentially reducing bureaucratic barriers for property owners.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5082