HOUSE BILL No. 4147

 

February 2, 2005, Introduced by Reps. Farhat and Gosselin and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment.

          

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

 

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

 

(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 76111a.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 76111a. (1) The department of environmental quality shall

 

establish Great Lakes recreational diving preserves within the

 

Great Lakes to provide recreational scuba diving opportunities for

 

members of the general public.

 

     (2) The department of environmental quality shall not

 

establish a Great Lakes recreational diving preserve at the same

 

location as a Great Lakes bottomland preserve.

 

     (3) A nonprofit organization or other person may nominate 1 or

 

more locations for the establishment of a Great Lakes recreational

 


diving preserve by submitting a proposal in writing to the

 

department of environmental quality.

 

     (4) Upon establishing a Great Lakes recreational diving

 

preserve, the department of environmental quality shall authorize

 

the sinking of 1 or more vessels within the preserve that will

 

enhance the recreational scuba diving experience for individuals

 

visiting the preserve. However, the department of environmental

 

quality shall only authorize the sinking of a vessel within a Great

 

Lakes recreational diving preserve if the vessel has been

 

decommissioned in such a manner that it will not cause adverse

 

environmental impacts. The person or persons sinking a vessel

 

within a Great Lakes recreational diving preserve shall comply with

 

the "Intentional Vessel Sinking Guidelines, Final Report" prepared

 

by maritime research associates, inc. for the Michigan underwater

 

preserve council, inc.

 

     (5) In establishing Great Lakes recreational diving preserves,

 

the department of environmental quality shall consider both of the

 

following:

 

     (a) The extent of local public and private support for the

 

creation of the preserve.

 

     (b) The interest of nonprofit organizations or other persons

 

in obtaining, decommissioning, and sinking 1 or more vessels within

 

the preserve.