NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 451 of 1994
Subpart 15
PROTECTION OF STATE OWNED LANDS


324.2155 “Damages” defined.

Sec. 2155.

     As used in this subpart, "damages" means the fair market value on the stump or at the mill, whichever is greater of a forest product cut or removed, or the fair and actual value of any other property removed or damaged in trespass, plus any other damages caused before, during, or after the cutting or removal.


History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA





324.2156 Removal of forest products or property from state owned land; accepting or receiving property in violation of subsection (1).

Sec. 2156.

    (1) Unless a person has the written permission of the department or is acting as authorized in R 299.321 or R 299.331 of the Michigan administrative code, a person shall not enter upon, or induce or direct any person to enter upon, any state owned land and cut, or induce or direct to be cut, or remove, or induce or direct to be removed, any logs, posts, poles, ties, shrubs, or trees, or any other forest product. In addition, a person shall not injure or remove, or induce or direct any other person to injure or remove, any buildings, fences, improvements, sand, gravel, marl or other minerals, or other property belonging to or appertaining to state owned land.
    (2) A person shall not accept or receive by purchase or otherwise a forest product, improvement, or other property unlawfully cut or removed, or both, knowing the property to have been unlawfully cut or removed, or both, in violation of subsection (1).


History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA





324.2157 Violation; penalties; determination of total value; prior convictions; prohibition.

Sec. 2157.

    (1) A person who violates section 2156 is guilty of a crime as follows:
    (a) If the damages are less than $200.00, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or 3 times the aggregate value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
    (b) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or 3 times the value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
    (i) The value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved is $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.
    (ii) The person violates subdivision (a) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under section 2156.
    (c) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
    (i) The value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved is $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.
    (ii) The person violates subdivision (b)(i) and has 1 or more prior convictions for violating or attempting to violate section 2156. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation of subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
    (d) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or 3 times the value of the forest product, improvement, or property involved, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
    (i) The forest product, improvement, or property involved has a value of $20,000.00 or more.
    (ii) The person violates subdivision (c)(i) and has 2 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under section 2156. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation of subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
    (2) The values of the forest product, improvement, or property involved in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total value of the forest products, improvements, or property involved.
    (3) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions. The existence of the defendant's prior conviction or convictions shall be determined by the court, without a jury, at sentencing or at a separate hearing for that purpose before sentencing. The existence of a prior conviction may be established by any evidence relevant for that purpose, including, but not limited to, 1 or more of the following:
    (a) A copy of the judgment of conviction.
    (b) A transcript of a prior trial, plea-taking, or sentencing.
    (c) Information contained in a presentence report.
    (d) The defendant's statement.
    (4) If the sentence for a conviction under this section is enhanced by 1 or more prior convictions, those prior convictions shall not be used to further enhance the sentence for the conviction pursuant to section 10, 11, or 12 of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.10, 769.11, and 769.12.


History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 155, Eff. Jan. 1, 2002
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA





324.2158 Violation; additional penalties.

Sec. 2158.

    (1) In addition to the penalties provided for in section 2157, a person convicted of violating this subpart shall forfeit in a civil action filed by the state a sum of up to 3 times the actual damages, but not less than $50.00, that were caused by the unlawful act, and court costs and attorney fees. In addition, the material or other property cut or removed shall be seized by the state, and title to the property shall be in the state. In addition, equipment used to violate this subpart may be seized and disposed of to the best advantage of the state as determined by the department as required under sections 1603 and 1604.
    (2) A court in which a conviction for a violation of this subpart is obtained shall order the defendant to forfeit to the state a sum as set forth in subsection (1). If 2 or more defendants are convicted of a violation of this subpart, the forfeiture shall be declared against them jointly.
    (3) If a defendant fails to pay upon conviction the sum ordered by the court to be forfeited, the court shall either impose a sentence and require the defendant, as a condition of the sentence, to satisfy the forfeiture in the amount prescribed and fix the manner and time of payment, or make a written order permitting the defendant to pay the sum to be forfeited in installments at those times and in those amounts that in the opinion of the court the defendant is able to pay.
    (4) If a defendant defaults in payment of the sum forfeited or of an installment of that sum, the court on motion of the department or upon its own motion may require the defendant to show cause why the default should not be treated as a civil contempt, and the court may issue a summons or warrant of arrest for his or her appearance. Unless the defendant shows that the default was not due to an intentional refusal to obey the order of the court or a failure to make a good faith effort to obtain the funds required for the payment, the court shall find that the default constitutes a civil contempt.
    (5) If in the opinion of the court the defendant's default in the payment of the forfeiture does not constitute civil contempt, the court may enter an order allowing the defendant additional time for payment, reducing the amount of the forfeiture or of each installment, or revoking the forfeiture or the unpaid portion of the forfeiture, in whole or in part.
    (6) A default in the payment of the forfeiture or an installment payment may be collected by any means authorized for the enforcement of a judgment under chapter 60 of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being sections 600.6001 to 600.6098 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
    (7) A court receiving forfeiture damages shall remit the damages with an abstract or register of actions to the department, which shall deposit the damages with the state treasurer, who shall deposit the damages in the fund that was used to purchase the land on which the violation occurred.
    (8) All money received by the disposal of seized property under this subpart shall be deposited with the state treasurer, who shall deposit the money in the fund that was used to purchase the land on which the violation occurred.


History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA




Rendered 8/16/2025 4:03 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov