ADOPT-A-RIVER AND ADOPT-A-SHORELINE

PROGRAMS

House Bills 5155 and 5156 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Kimberly LaSata

Committee:  Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 11-17-17

SUMMARY:

House Bills 5155 and 5156 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to modify, respectively, the Adopt-a-River program (Part 359) and the Adopt-a-Shoreline program (Part 358).

Currently, under these programs, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assists volunteer groups in selecting (“adopting”) a designated segment of a river or a shoreline, from which the group agrees to remove litter at least once a year for a minimum of 2 years.

HB 5155 would amend Part 359 (Adopt-a-River Program), and HB 5156 would amend Part 358 (Adopt-a-Shoreline Program), to do the following regarding these programs:

·         Specify that rivers and riverbanks (HB 5155) and shorelines (HB 5156) available for adoption by volunteer groups are those within state parks and state recreation areas, and that a request to adopt a specific segment of river or shoreline is subject to the approval of the park or recreation area manager or supervisor.

·         Eliminate a requirement that volunteers must agree to care for their designated segment of river (HB 5155) or shoreline (HB 5156) for any specific length of time.

·         Eliminate a requirement that the DNR supply volunteers with “data information sheets” to record and report the types of trash collected during cleanup efforts.

·         Repeal a section requiring the DNR to submit an annual report to the legislature on the progress of the program and the types of trash collected by volunteer groups.

·         Direct the DNR to identify any necessary permits or other authorizations that the volunteer group may need to obtain in order to undertake its activities.

·         Specify that the program does not prohibit other cleanup efforts on state land.

Each bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 324.35901, 324.35903, and 324.35904 (HB 5155)

MCL 324.35801, 324.35803, and 324.35804 (HB 5156)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The fiscal impact of House Bills 5155 and 5156 on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is indeterminate. The DNR could realize reduced administrative costs through the elimination of data information sheets and the programs’ annual reports. The DNR may also experience increased administrative costs by virtue of the requirement to identify necessary permits or authorizations for volunteer groups to carry out program activities. The extent of these cost increases and decreases would vary with the number of volunteers and groups as well as the scope of program activities. The bills are unlikely to affect costs or revenues for local units of government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Rick Yuille

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Austin Scott

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.