Bill > HB5304

This bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to create a comprehensive beach nourishment permit program and establish a dedicated beach nourishment fund. The bill requires permit applicants for dredging projects to specify whether dredged materials can be used for beach nourishment, and if not, pay a $25 per cubic yard royalty into a new beach nourishment fund. When dredged materials are suitable (determined by specific environmental testing standards), the department must require their use for beach nourishment, placing materials uniformly along the shoreline between the high-water mark and 8-foot water depth in a manner that minimizes navigation impacts. The newly created beach nourishment fund will be managed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and will provide grants to local governments for beach nourishment projects that address shoreline damage, protect critical infrastructure, or create public beaches. The bill also modifies existing permit provisions, standardizing permit validity to 5 years and limiting additional environmental study requirements during that period. The department is required to develop detailed application and compliance processes for beach nourishment projects and will create administrative rules to implement the program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5304