Part 303, Wetlands Protection, and Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act were amended in 2003 by Public Act 14 to streamline authorizations for beach maintenance and vegetation removal activities between the ordinary high water mark of the Great Lakes and the water's edge.  Recognizing that there are ecological concerns associated with alteration of coastal wetlands, and realizing that low water levels are not a permanent condition, the Legislature placed both geographic and time limits on the provisions of Act 14.  Moreover, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was required to evaluate the impacts of vegetation removal and report back to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2006.  The following report fulfills that requirement.

Report on the Impacts of Beach Maintenance and Removal of Vegetation under Act 14 of 2003

Attachment A: 

The Effects of Coastal Wetland Fragmentation on Fish and Invertebrate Communities

Figures

Tables and Appendices

Report Cover

Attachment B:

The Impacts of Various Types of Vegetation Removal on Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands of Saginaw Bay and Grand Traverse Bay

If you have difficulty downloading or would like to request a CD of the report and attachments, please contact Chad Fizzell at 517-335-6928.