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Natural Rivers
Michigan's Natural Rivers program is a river protection effort that protects the natural quality of select river systems throughout the state by regulating their use and development through zoning rules. The Natural Rivers Program was developed to preserve, protect and enhance our state's finest river systems for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations by allowing property owners their right to reasonable development while protecting Michigan's unique river resources.
There are 16 designated Natural River systems in Michigan. The designation includes the mainstream, as well as most of the tributaries. Nearly all construction, land change/earth moving, and placement of structures is regulated within 400-feet of any designated stream segment. Please consult with Natural Rivers Program staff for specific regulatory determinations.
For more information, please email DNR-NaturalRivers@michigan.gov or reach out directly to the appropriate permitting staff.
Michigan's Designated Natural Rivers
Au Sable River
The Au Sable is a major tributary to Lake Huron. It drains a north-south basin that includes 1,932 square miles in north-central lower Michigan. The basin is approximately 90 miles long and 10 to 30 miles wide. The river basin is partially within the Huron National Forest and includes parts of Otsego, Montmorency, Crawford, Osco, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties. Zoning standards for the Au Sable River system are found on pages 1-21 and 46-50.
Betsie River
Boardman River
Flat River
Fox River
Huron River
Jordan River
Lower Kalamazoo River
Pere Marquette River
Pigeon River
Pine River
Rifle River
Rogue River
Two Hearted River
The Two Hearted River is located in northern Luce County in the eastern third of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The 35-mile long mainstream flows from the northwest portion of the county in a northeasterly direction to Lake Superior. It has five major tributaries: the East, South, West and North branches, and Dawson Creek. The mainstream itself starts at the confluence of the South Branch and West Branch. Zoning standards for the Two Hearted River system are found on pages 1-21 and 57-59.
Upper Manistee River
White River
Information and Forms
General Information
Information and forms
Private Land Projects
Public Interest Projects
Natural River Zoning Review Board Schedule
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Au Sable River meeting details
Meeting Date
Deadline for receipt of a complete variance application* April 7, 2022 February 23, 2022 May 5, 2022 March 23, 2022 June 2, 2022 April 20, 2022 July 7, 2022 May 25, 2022 August 4, 2022 June 22, 2022 September 1, 2022 July 20, 2022 October 6, 2022 August 24, 2022 November 3, 2022 September 21, 2022 December 1, 2022 October 19, 2022 -
Betsie River meeting details
Meeting Date Deadline for receipt of a complete application* April 5, 2022 February 21, 2022 May 3, 2022 March 18, 2022 June 7, 2022 April 25, 2022 July 5, 2022 May 16, 2022 August 2, 2022 June 10, 2022 September 6, 2022 July 25, 2022 October 4, 2022 August 15, 2022 November 1, 2022 September 12, 2022 December 6, 2022 October 17, 2022 -
Pere Marquette meeting details
Meeting Date Deadline for receipt of a complete application* April 18, 2022 March 4, 2022 May 16, 2022 April 2, 2022 June 13, 2022 April 30, 2022 July 18, 2022 June 4, 2022 August 15, 2022 July 1, 2022 September 19, 2022 August 5, 2022 October 17, 2022 September 3, 2022 December 5, 2022 October 22, 2022 *An application is considered administratively complete when it contains all information noted in the sample site plan on the Natural Rivers Variance Application, as well as any additional information determined by the Natural Rivers zoning administrator that is necessary for the Pere Marquette River Zoning Review Board (Board) to evaluate the proposal. If an application for variance is received by the DNR prior to the application deadline, and the application is determined to be complete, it will be considered by the Board on the corresponding date noted above. If an application for variance is received by the DNR prior to the application deadline date, but determined to be incomplete, you will receive a correction request and your proposal will need to be considered at a later meeting date.
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Pine River meeting details
Meeting Date Deadline for receipt of a complete application* April 6, 20222 February 22, 2022 May 4, 2022 March 18, 2022 June 1, 2022 April 19, 2022 July 6, 2022 May 15, 2022 August 3, 2022 June 11, 2022 September 7, 2022 July 26, 2022 October 5, 2022 August 16, 2022 November 2, 2022 September 13, 2022 December 7, 2022 October 18, 2022 -
Upper Manistee River meeting details
Meeting Date Deadline for receipt of a complete variance application* March 23, 2022 February 8, 2022 April 27, 2022 March 15, 2022 May 25, 2022 April 12, 2022 June 29, 2022 May 17, 2022 July 27, 2022 June 14, 2022 August 24, 2022 July 12, 2022 September 28, 2022 August 16, 2022 October 26, 2022 September 13, 2022 November 30, 2022 October 18, 2022 January 25, 2023 December 13, 2022