PROHIBIT SLANT DRILLING UNDER GREAT LAKES
House Bill 5118
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Shackleton
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 10-16-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5118 AS INTRODUCED 10-2-01
Generally, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) prohibits oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lake unless the drilling originates from a location above and inland of the ordinary high-water mark of the Great Lakes. The bill would amend Part 5 of the act, which outlines the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) powers and duties; Part 325, concerning Great Lakes Submerged Lands; and Part 339, concerning control of certain state lands, to prohibit slant drilling of oil and gas beneath the Great Lakes, except under certain limited circumstances. Beginning on the bill's effective date, notwithstanding any other provision of Part 615 or rules promulgated under it, the supervisor of wells could not issue a drilling permit or authorize the drilling of an oil or gas well, including an exploratory well, that extended under the Great Lakes or the connecting or connected bays, harbors or waterways of the Great Lakes, except upon the adoption of a concurrent resolution by a majority of the members of the legislature declaring a state of energy emergency. However, if the supervisor issued a permit or authorized oil or gas well drilling under this provision, then he or she would have to require that all drilling operations originated from locations above and inland of the ordinary high-water mark of the Great Lakes. The bill would further specify that a person could not conduct drilling operations for the removal of oil or gas from under the Great Lakes or their connecting waterways unless the drilling operations began before the bill's effective date.
MCL 324.502 et al.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.