WATERSHED ALLIANCES S.B. 1432: FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 1432 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Bruce Patterson
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would add Part 312 (Watershed Alliances) to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow two or more municipalities to establish a watershed alliance for the purpose of studying problems and planning and implementing activities designed to address surface water quality or water flow issues of mutual concern.
A watershed alliance could prepare watershed management plans and other required documents as part of State or Federal requirements to obtain water discharge permits or grant funding; monitor, sample, and analyze data necessary to manage the watershed; design and implement projects and conduct activities to protect or enhance water quality and related beneficial uses, or manage flows to protect or reduce damage to riparian property and aquatic habitat; and engage in other activities described in the bill.
The municipalities establishing a watershed alliance could do so by resolution of their respective governing bodies. A watershed alliance would have to provide an equitable basis for all municipalities, counties, and county agencies within the geographic boundaries of the watershed to join voluntarily as members. The watershed alliance also could authorize the voluntary membership of any local public school district, public college or university, or any other local or regional public agency that had water management responsibilities.
A watershed alliance could assess and collect fees from members with the approval of their governing bodies; enter into agreements with public or private entities to coordinate or implement actions; and allocate the use of public funds generated under other State law for use by the alliance. A watershed alliance would have no independent authority to assess or collect any fees or taxes directly from individuals or property owners.
Proposed MCL 324.31201-324.31205 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no impact on State revenue. The impact on local revenue and/or expenditures would likely be minimal. To the extent that the proposed alliances allowed greater economies-of-scale to be achieved, the bill would lower expenditures for local units. However, to the extent that alliances addressed issues that had previously not been addressed and/or allowed the pursuit of more effective, but more costly, solutions to watershed issues, the bill could increase local unit expenditures.
Date Completed: 10-11-04 Fiscal Analyst: David Zin
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1432/0304