SB-0372,As Passed Senate,May 14, 2003
SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 372
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 360.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 PART 360. ADOPT-A-WATERSHED PROGRAM
2 Sec. 36001. As used in this part:
3 (a) "Department" means the department of environmental
4 quality acting in conjunction with the department of natural
5 resources.
6 (b) "Program" means the adopt-a-watershed program provided
7 for in section 36003.
8 (c) "Watershed" means that part of the drainage area of a
9 body of water located within this state.
10 Sec. 36002. It is the intent of the legislature to do both
11 of the following:
1 (a) Encourage a watershed management approach in caring for
2 the water resources of the state. Since water flowing throughout
3 a watershed drains into the same body of water, pollution sources
4 throughout the watershed can affect water quality in that body of
5 water. Shifting the focus to watershed management provides a
6 stable foundation for confronting the source or sources of
7 persistent water quality issues.
8 (b) Encourage the meaningful involvement of the public in
9 protection and restoration efforts. A watershed approach
10 encourages regional awareness and support for protection of water
11 resources, while streamlining the workload and saving time and
12 money.
13 Sec. 36003. (1) The department shall administer a program
14 entitled the adopt-a-watershed program.
15 (2) The program shall include public informational
16 activities, but shall be directed primarily toward both of the
17 following:
18 (a) Encouraging and facilitating the involvement of volunteer
19 groups in protecting bodies of water through watershed-based
20 cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation activities.
21 (b) Assisting volunteer groups in selecting a specific
22 watershed in which to conduct the activities specified in
23 subdivision (a).
24 (3) The department shall administer the program in
25 conjunction with and in cooperation with other state programs
26 designed to protect water resources. In doing so, the department
27 shall ensure that the scope of the program does not overlap or
1 conflict with other similar water quality programs being
2 administered by the department.
3 (4) The department may seek funding from the United States
4 environmental protection agency and other available funding
5 sources to administer the program.
6 (5) The department may enter into agreements with a volunteer
7 groups to implement the program. An agreement with a volunteer
8 group shall identify the watershed and describe the
9 responsibilities of the volunteer group, which shall include, but
10 need not be limited to, all of the following:
11 (a) Cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation
12 activities in the watershed.
13 (b) Programs, seminars, and other educational and promotional
14 activities.
15 (c) Environmental testing and monitoring activities in the
16 watershed.
17 (d) Fund-raising.
18 Sec. 36004. In implementing this part, the department may
19 provide all of the following to volunteer groups:
20 (a) Funding.
21 (b) Support personnel.
22 (c) Environmental testing and monitoring equipment.
23 (d) Signs identifying the watershed and volunteer group.
24 (e) Training materials and other educational and promotional
25 material.
26 Sec. 36005. (1) The department shall provide volunteer
27 groups conducting activities under this part with data
1 information sheets and shall request that the volunteer groups
2 record on the data information sheets information concerning the
3 following:
4 (a) The specific location of the watershed.
5 (b) Wildlife in the watershed.
6 (c) Their environmental testing and monitoring activities.
7 (d) Their cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation
8 activities.
9 (e) Information that may assist the department in
10 administering the program.
11 (2) The department shall compile information obtained from
12 the data information sheets received under subsection (1) and
13 shall include this information in the report prepared under
14 section 36006.
15 Sec. 36006. The department shall annually prepare a report
16 on the implementation and progress of the program. The
17 department shall provide the governor, senate, and house of
18 representatives with a copy of the report, post the report on
19 website, and make copies of the report available to the public
20 upon request.
21 Sec. 36007. The department may promulgate rules to
22 implement this part.