News

MI House Bill 4722 Currently Being Hotly Debated in the Michigan Senate

by Scott Brown

Representing the continuation of an intense discussion that has been on-going in our state capitol for well over a year, advocates representing local units of government and Michigan’s powerful real estate industry have thus far failed to reach a compromise in regards to controversial short-term rental property targeted legislation that was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives in October of 2021.

The debate in Lansing over how to regulate the steadily increasing number of homes listed on popular sites like Airbnb and Vrbo comes as many Michigan property owners, particularly those with homes located in popular lakeshore communities, have earned a substantial amount of money in recent years while serving as increasingly popular alternatives to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast sites.

The bill currently being debated in the Michigan Senate is House Bill 4722 that passed after an extended period of intense debate in the Michigan House of Representatives last year. The legislation acts to designate short-term rentals as residential properties that are exempt from special or conditional use permitting. House Bill 4722 is now being considered by the MI Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform 

It is important to point out that although the bill is very popular with Michigan’s real estate industry the controversial legislation is adamantly opposed by several state associations and organizations, including Michigan Townships Association, and the Michigan Municipal League.

Following the lead of the Michigan Association of Realtors, for example, the Grand Haven-based West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors (WMLAR) strongly supports passage of the bill.

Michigan Waterfront Alliance would like the readers of this e-newsletter to know that we are firmly committed to the idea that all decisions regarding short-term rental policy within a particular community should made at the local level by local officials, and is therefore adamantly opposed to House Bill 4722 becoming state law. Our readers should also know that Michigan Waterfront Alliance will direct its Lansing-based lobbying firm,- Karoub Associates – to pro-actively lobby members of the Michigan state senate against passage of this unfair legislation.

Michigan Waterfront Alliance would also encourage our readers to contact their respective state senator in regards to this important statewide issue.

As currently written, Michigan House Bill 4722 has four main components that would act to:

• Bar local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances that would place an outright ban on short-term rentals;
• Limit the total number of short-term rentals to 30 percent of all residential units;
• Allow local governments to continue to have the authority to limit an owner or ownership group to two short-term rental properties;
• Allow local units of government to regulate and inspect short-term rental units for noise, advertising, traffic, or other disruptive conditions.

Click here to read a summary of MI House Bill 4722 as passed by the MI House of Representatives.

To find your MI State Senator, and their contact information, click here

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) recently published Fisheries Division Fisheries Report 37 entitled Wake boats: concerns and recommendations related to natural resource management in Michigan waters.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The operation of wake boats in a manner that creates large waves and increases bottom scour is an emerging threat to natural resources in inland lakes. Wake boats can produce waves with 1.7–17 times the energy of other comparable-sized powerboats and their propellers generate enough turbulence to resuspend bottom sediments in water up to 33 feet deep. The large waves generated by wake boats take between 225–950 feet to dissipate to heights and wave energies observed 100–200 feet away from similar boats operating at cruising speed. Further, the use of ballast tanks in wake boats results in a dramatic increase in risk for transporting Dreissenid mussels and other aquatic invasive species and pathogens among water bodies. The cumulative negative effects of wake boats on natural resources can lead to loss of habitat, resulting in the decline of aquatic ecosystems and angling opportunity. Michigan’s current boating laws and regulations are intended to both promote public safety and prevent damage to aquatic resources but were created prior to the commercialization and popularization of wake boats in the early 2000s. As a result of the large waves and increased scour caused by these vessels, the existing 100-foot operating buffers around docks and shorelines on inland lakes are not sufficient to protect aquatic resources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division (Division) recommends the following to minimize the effects of wake surfing and wake boarding on natural resources: 1. Boats operating in wake-surfing mode or wake-boarding mode, during which boat speed, wave shapers, and/or ballast are used to increase wave height, should operate at least 500 feet from docks or the shoreline, regardless of water depth. 2. Boats operating in wake-surfing or wake-boarding modes should operate in water at least 15 feet deep. 3. Ballast tanks should be completely drained prior to transporting the watercraft over land. 4. Regulatory authorities and the boating industry should implement an increased education and outreach campaign that targets wake boat operators to improve awareness and implementation of the best practices listed above.

To download and read MDNR Fisheries Division Fisheries Report 37 – click here 

During the spring public safety meeting held in the Roscommon/Higgins Lake area there was a discussion regarding the question of who is authorized to enforce Michigan Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) related state laws and/or ordinances. Thanks to Corporal Nicholas Torsky of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for providing clarification on a frequently asked question that has often been the subject of considerable misinformation.

State statute Part 413 (Transgenic and Non-native Organisms)

of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994

Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994 can be enforced by fully commissioned, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement (MCOLES) certified peace officers with jurisdiction.

Law enforcement officers that are authorized to enforce MI NREPA Part 413:

1. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Conservation Officers
2.  Michigan State Police Officers
3. Local sheriff deputies, township police, etc. working within their assigned jurisdiction

Not authorized to enforce MI NREPA Part 413:

• Park rangers
• Local ordinance officers
• Township officials or employees/ contractors that are NOT commissioned as peace officers
• Marine deputies hired by local sheriff departments to enforce a limited scope of boating regulations who are NOT commissioned as peace officers.

A Clear Cut Legal Victory for those Working to

Preserve and Protect Michigan’s Natural Resource

In a decided victory for the group known as the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Friday, July 29^th that the group does in fact possess the necessary legal standing to appeal a decision made by the Saugatuck Township Zoning Board. The  Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance has worked pro-actively in recent years to oppose plans by developers to build twenty high-end homes across 130 acres located near Saugatuck Dunes State Park – plans that ultimately included removing some sand dunes in order to make way for a new residential neighborhood.

The landmark Michigan Supreme Court decision essentially “rewrites what it means to be an aggrieved party and to be granted standing to appeal zoning decisions.”

Michigan Waterfront Alliance will publish an article in the near future that will provide readers of this newsletter with a detailed analysis of the important legal ramifications of the recent decision made by the Michigan Supreme Court.

Download and read the Summer 2022 Newsletter by clicking here

An Open Letter from Bob Frye, President of Michigan Waterfront Alliance

to

Michigan’s Lakefront Property Owners Associations

We Need Your Support!

Please Consider Making a Generous Donation to

Our Legal Defense Fund Today!

May 25, 2022

Dear Michigan Lake Associations,

The Michigan Waterfront Alliance (MWA) Board of Directors recently filed an amicus brief in a case pending with the Michigan Supreme Court where the core issue pertains to the important question of whether private citizens can use the Michigan Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act (MNREPA) to judicially review MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permitting actions.

This quote from MWA Attorneys Dane Carey and Bill Carey explains it very well: “The MWA has a unique and compelling amicus position to present. MWA is in a sincere position to advocate on the public trust position based upon its prior experiences with EGLE. MWA has worked for several years now to lobby EGLE from negligently introducing aquatic invasive species (AIS) into Michigan lakes. The results of the lobbying have not been too successful. MWA, in its amicus argument, can, in good faith, represent to the Supreme Court that the MWA has tried and failed administratively to convince EGLE that its actions are MNREPA (Michigan Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act) violations. We need to therefore be able to have a legal theory (public trust thru MNREPA) to sue EGLE to obtain relief.”

The disregard for the significant potential for the spread of exotic aquatic invasive plant and animal species by the DNR is illustrated in the permitting process of a new public access site planned for Eagle Lake located near Edwardsburg, Michigan where an administrative law judge agreed with the DNR that it is not responsible for preventing the introduction of AIS at its newly permitted public boating access ramp at Eagle Lake. The position of the DNR in the Eagle Lake matter is indicative of the failure of the agency to take responsibility for protecting the Public Trust as it pertains to Michigan’s Lakes and Streams.

If the outcome of the filing of this amicus is successful and the Michigan Supreme Court ultimately rules that citizens can use MNREPA as the basis for filing a court case it would truly be a game changer, and be a great boost to protecting the public trust in regard to Michigan’s Lakes and Streams!

Here is the link to the Michigan Supreme Court Oral arguments for the case:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5s7B4_088E

The legal fees for this amicus brief filing are substantial! Out of a total of twenty eight MWA current lake association members we have received Legal Fund Contributions to help cover the considerable expense of this litigation from only five associations. MWA believes that those most likely to reap the considerable benefits of a favorable MI Supreme Court decision in this important public trust – water resources management related case should help shoulder some of the expense of this amicus brief filing.

We need the help of every Lake association in the State of Michigan! Members or not!

Please consider making a contribution to Michigan Waterfront Alliance’s Legal Defense Fund!!

Sincerely,

Bob Frye, MWA, President

by Scott Brown

Occurring in response to gradually warming waters that reach 55° F (12.7° C), and increasing periods of daylight that occur with the onset of spring, the male of most members of Family Centrarchidae species, including bluegill, red ear sunfish, white and black crappie, and largemouth bass create spawning nests by utilizing their caudal fin to form deep circular depressions in the substrate. Male and females of the particular species then engage in a courtship dancing ritual that (hopefully) leads to the female depositing her eggs into the nest that the male has created.

It is important to point out that while the role of the female is restricted to depositing eggs, in addition to fertilizing the female’s eggs, males assume multiple roles that require relatively long-term involvement in the reproductive process such as frequently fanning the nest to prevent sediment from smothering the eggs, and aggressively protecting the eggs and fry by keeping potential predators away from their nest.

Created in areas of the substrate in depths of five feet or less, the nests are formed in areas of the substrate hosting large quantities of stone and gravel situated in close proximity to the protective cover and prey provided by submerged macrophyte communities. The narrow spaces between the stone serve to provide a modicum of protection to the eggs and tiny fry from predation, and from wind and watercraft generated perturbations.

Conservation-minded boaters can help protect the reproductive efforts of their lake’s fish by completely avoiding areas of the lake hosting fish nests, or by proceeding at a very slow operating speed in areas of the lake characterized by water depth of up to five feet. Operating at a slow speed in shallow areas may also contribute to preserving the water clarity of the lake by preventing high volume resuspension of bottom substrates.

Our readers should keep in mind that 2022 is a local, state, and federal election year. This year’s election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 8th. Several controversial bills introduced in the past year, including legislation that would effectively strip local governments of the authority to issue gravel mine permits; and ban local governments from adapting, and/or enforcing zoning ordinances that would have the effect of prohibiting short term rentals are not likely to be acted upon in an election year where incumbent members of Michigan’s House and Senate are reluctant to vote yes on legislation that may cost them votes on election day. Although corporate supporters of the legislation continue to pro-actively support passage of House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 1210, the state legislature is unlikely to consider either of the bills until a new session is called to order in January 2023 – well after the election.

If passed into state law, Senate Bill 991 would:

• Prohibit the installation of an underground storage tank within 2,000 feet of an existing Type I community or Type II (a) non-community public water well
• Within 800 feet of an existing Type II (b) or type III non-community public water well
• Within 300 feet of any other type of well not described 3 in subdivision (a) or (b).

If passed into state law, Senate Bill 1210 would:

• Strip local governments of the authority to issue gravel mine permits
• Give permitting authority to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
• In the vast majority of cases, EGLE would be required to issue the permits even if local governments and residents oppose new mines
• set no limits on hours of operation for gravel mines, and they would be allowed to operate within a block of schools, churches, or existing neighborhoods

If passed into state law, House Bill 4722 would:

• Ban local governments from adopting or enforcing zoning ordinances that “have the effect of prohibiting short-term rentals,” which are defined as a single-family home or unit available to rent for less than 30 consecutive days
• Allow local governments to limit an owner or ownership group to as little as two short-term rental properties
• Allow local governments to limit the total number of short-term rentals to 30 percent of all residential units
• Allow local governments to regulate and inspect short-term rental units for noise, advertising, traffic or “any other condition that may create a nuisance.”

To track the current status of legislation pending action by the

Michigan Senate Environmental Quality Committee, click here