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Part 326 Great Lakes Submerged Logs Recovery Program Specific Information Points of Interest

Part 326 Great Lakes Submerged Logs Recovery Program Specific Information Points of Interest

Contact: Chris Antieau 517-290-5732

Part 326, Great Lakes Submerged Logs Recovery, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended became effective on July 10, 2000 and regulates, by a permitting process, the recovery of logs from the Great Lakes.

  1. Once a permit is issued the permittee shall pay a $3,000 log recovery fee and performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit between $10,000 and $100,000 prior to beginning any log recovery operations.
  2. Permits are not transferable unless approved by the department.
  3. Compensation to the state for all logs recovered under the Part 326 regulation is based upon a payment of 15% of the sawlog stumpage value for each submerged log that is removed. This value is based on the price received from the recovered logs.
  4. Permittees shall provide the department with a detailed report and all payments due within 30 days after the close of each calendar quarter during the term of the permit.
  5. The timber payments will be deposited into the submerged log recovery fund. Fund monies will be used for administrative costs accrued by EGLE and the DNR in implementing this program.
  6. Any civil action by the department against a person for a violation of Part 326 may be assessed a civil fine of not more than $5000.00 per day for each day of violation.
  7. Any person found guilty of a misdemeanor as defined by Part 326 is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000.00 per day of each day of violation.
  8. A permit will contain terms and conditions for the protection of the environment, natural resources, riparian rights, and the public trust.
  9. The time of the year that recovery may occur may be limited by the permit.
  10. Log recovery may be limited to logs of a minimum diameter and larger by the permit.
  11. The administration of this Part 326 will not specifically address any historical log ownership issues due to discernable log marks on particular logs.

Any dredging activities proposed, as part of the log recovery operations will require an additional permit review process under Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands. This review for a dredging permit will be conducted through the submittal of a dredging permit application to your project's local WRD District Office.