Please be aware that logs found on the Great Lakes bottomlands are considered to legally be property of the State of Michigan. A permit is required under Part 326 to recover such logs. The removal of such logs without the appropriate permit authorizations and compensation from and to the State would constitute a statutory violation and the theft of public property and will subject involved parties to legal enforcement actions. Additionally, the receipt of any illegally obtained logs would constitute the receipt of stolen property and subject the involved party to applicable legal enforcement actions.

Similarly on inland lakes and streams the recovery of logs is a regulated activity under the Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the NREPA … The recovery of logs from inland waters must be authorized by a State permit. On inland waters aside from the issue of log mark ownership the logs may be considered property of the riparian(s) in the recovery area. The recovery of such logs without the appropriate state permit authorization and without the riparian’s approval would constitute a statutory violation and possibly theft of private property and will subject involved parties to legal enforcement actions. Additionally, the receipt of any illegally obtained logs would constitute the receipt of stolen property and subject the involved party to applicable legal enforcement actions.