Bill > HB5103

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to provide more flexibility for property owners dealing with shoreline erosion, particularly during periods of high water levels. The legislation allows property owners to construct temporary erosion control structures without a permit on the shorelines of the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and St. Clair) using specific materials like biodegradable sandbags, geotubes, or soft synthetic textile materials. Property owners must file a written notice with local authorities before installation, detailing the project specifics, and ensure the structure does not impede walkability or extend into the water. The bill specifies that these soft erosion control structures can remain in place as long as they are mostly covered by sand, do not show signs of degradation, and comply with local ordinances. Additionally, the bill provides a pathway for property owners to potentially replace these temporary structures with permanent hard wall revetments, particularly if they have a septic system within 100 feet of the wave cut. The legislation aims to balance environmental protection with property owners' needs during challenging shoreline conditions, giving property owners more options for protecting their land from erosion while maintaining some regulatory oversight.

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5103