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Post date: Oct 23, 2019 1:34:16 PM
Michigan Waterfront Alliance (MWA) is a 501(c) 4 non-profit corporation formed over twenty years ago in order to effectively advocate for the creation or preservation of state laws and/or policies designed to protect, preserve, and promote the sustainable and wise use of our state's immense treasure of high
quality freshwater resources. Our primary mission will be accomplished by pro- active participation in Michigan’s legislative process (lobbying), by participating in court cases whose outcomes may have statewide ramifications, and/or by direct involvement with natural resources management, or environment focused state agencies or departments.
An Update on Introduced State Legislation of Potential Interest to Lakefront Residents and Michigan Waterfront Alliance Members
An Update on Introduced State Legislation of Potential Interest to Lakefront Residents and Michigan Waterfront Alliance Members
House Bill 4362: Expanding hours of watercraft operation on public access inland lakes
Representing an effort to thwart the authority of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and local units of government to establish a specific range of hours that watercraft can operate on Michigan's thousands of public access enabled inland lakes, and therefore effectively terminating the authority of townships to pass locally established "no wake" ordinances, Representative Jason Sheppard introduced House Bill 4362 this past spring in order to "allow for more time to enjoy Michigan’s inland lakes." Representative Sheppard has since indicated, however, that as a result of a mistake in the language of the bill that would have had the effect of limiting the operation of watercraft on public access inland lakes to between 8:00 AM and sunset, he intends to revise the language of the bill to allow for watercraft operation beginning in the early morning hours and running to until well into the evening to accommodate the busy schedules of today's modern families.
It should be noted that although legislation intended to expand the hours of watercraft operation on inland waters is supported by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and other fishing and hunting oriented groups, the legislation is ardently opposed by many other organizations, including Michigan Waterfront Alliance, due to the fact that the bill represents an attempt to usurp the authority of township governments to pass and enforce ordinances that closely align with local requirements and conditions.
Click here to view of House Bill 4362 as introduced
House Bill 4046: A bill to prevent local units of government from banning short term rentals
Arguing that local zoning bans on short term rentals represents an infringement on private property rights, Representative Jason Sheppard (R) of Temperance has introduced House Bill 4046, which seeks to prevent township governments from enacting zoning ordinances that would ban the increasingly popular practice of short- term vacation rentals. Introduced in an era when over 7,000 Michigan residents have listed their properties with Airbnb, House Bill 4046 is a highly controversial bill that has evoked pro-active responses from many of the most powerful interest groups in Lansing, including those representing the real estate industry, who support the legislation; and Michigan's hotel industry association, that are adamantly opposed to legislation that would make it easier for private home owners to rent their properties to short term vacation renters through enabling businesses such as Airbnb.
Written and introduced by a bi-partisan group of lawmakers that are seeking what Michigan Waterfront Alliance views as a reasonable compromise that would allow local units of government to regulate, but not outright ban short term rentals, House Bill 4554 would create a statewide short-term rental registry, require those engaged in short term rentals to pay a state excise tax that would fund tourism promotion, and allow exemptions for homes that are rented for 14 or fewer days per calendar year.
Click here to view Michigan House Bill 4046, the "Michigan zoning enabling act"
Click here to view Michigan House Bill 4554, the "Michigan Short Term Rental Promotion Act"
House Bill 4361: A bill to exempt those fishing on private lakes from the requirement for a DNR issued all-species fishing license; and require the agency to create an electronic version of Michigan fishing licenses
Introduced by Representative Jason Sheppard (R) of Temperance, passage of House Bill 4361 would act to exempt those fishing on "qualified private lakes" from having to purchase a Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued all-species fishing license. The bill would also direct the agency to develop an electronic version of Michigan fishing licenses that could be displayed on the license holder's smart phone or tablet type device.
Click here to view Michigan House Bill 4361
Michigan Waterfront Alliance encourages the readers of this newsletter to directly participate in our democracy by contacting their Representative and Senator to express their support or non-support for the pending legislation discussed in this article.
To find your state representative and how to contact them, click here To find your state senator and how to contact them, click here
Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society 'Lunch and Learn Program' Features Talks on Harmful Algal Blooms Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society 'Lunch and Learn Program' Features Talks on Harmful Algal Blooms Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
Please join us at the Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society's (McNALMS) annual Lunch and Learn program on Harmful Algal Blooms: Ecology, Impacts, and Management Options. This year's session will feature two experts, Dr. Ann St. Amand of PhycoTech and Dr. West Bishop of SePRO Corp, speaking on HABs in inland lakes, their appearance, ecology, and toxicity. HABs consist of cyanobacteria, formerly called blue-green algae. Their occurrence and increased growth in many inland lakes and particularly Lake Erie have caused concern due to their ability to produce toxins. In addition, their presence can have an impact on the entire aquatic community, human health, property values, as well as the economy and result in declining water quality.
Click here to register for the McNALMS Lunch and Learn Program
"A North American Laurentian Great Lakes Region Water Resource and Lake Manager's Guide to Understanding Exotic Invasive Nitellopsis obtusa (Starry stonewort)" is available for purchase for $24.00 plus $7.35 to cover the cost of USPS Priority Mail shipping, by contacting Scott Brown via e-mail at scottb1952@gmail.com.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=20152d0531&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1648177127603695834&simpl=msg-f%3A16481771276… 5/7
quality freshwater resources. Our primary mission will be accomplished by pro- active participation in Michigan’s legislative process (lobbying), by participating in court cases whose outcomes may have statewide ramifications, and/or by direct involvement with natural resources management, or environment focused state agencies or departments.
Join Michigan Waterfront Alliance!
Are you tired of funding the management of aquatic invasive species on your lake that were introduced by recreational boaters using the local MI Department of Natural Resources public boating access site?
Are you just a bit angry that recreational boaters using your lake are not being asked to contribute their fair share to combat the negative influences of aquatic invasive species?
Are you worried about the fact that your lakefront residential property values are being negatively influenced by the steadily increasing presence of aquatic invasive species?
Are you concerned about the fact that it is nearly impossible to find an inland lake in Michigan that does not currently host one or more potentially harmful aquatic invasive species?
Are you aware of the fact that inland lakes are Michigan’s most valuable natural resource, and that our state legislature has thus far appropriated almost nothing in the way of budget resources to help ensure they remain healthy and viable?
If your answer is yes to any of these important questions, please help ensure that your voice is heard in Lansing by joining Michigan Waterfront Alliance today.
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William Brown Michigan Waterfont Alliance, Inc
11250 Riethmiller Rd. Grass Lake, MI 49240
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