SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 194 as introduced 2-1-95:

The bill would amend the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), upon the request of any person, to hold a public hearing on an application for the construction of a marina. At least 10 days’ notice of the public hearing would have to be published in a newspaper circulated in the county, and copies of the notice would have to be mailed to the Department of Public Health; the clerks of the county, city, village, and township in which the project or body of water affected was located; the county drain commissioner or, if none, the county road commissioner; and adjacent riparian owners.

Currently, the Act generally requires someone to obtain a permit from the DNR before undertaking certain construction activities involving a body of water, including constructing a marina. The person must file an application with the Department and pay a fee. Upon receiving an application, the DNR must mail copies to the Department of Public Health, the county, city, village, and township clerks, the county drain or road commissioner, and adjacent riparian owners. The DNR may hold a public hearing on the application, and must mail a notice of the hearing to those persons and publish at least 10 days’ notice in a newspaper in the county. These provisions would continue to apply, subject to the bill’s requirements for a hearing on a marina construction application.

MCL 322.714 Legislative Analyst: S. Margules

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would lead to a minimal increase in costs to the Department, depending on the number of applications for marina construction.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, it receives an average of 10 to 12 applications for marina construction per year, approximately 25% of which result in public hearings. A hearing costs between $500 and $1,500, therefore seven additional hearings would cost between $3,500 and $10,500.

Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

S9596\S194SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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