April 3, 2003, Introduced by Senators BIRKHOLZ, GOSCHKA, PATTERSON and HARDIMAN and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
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 watersheds are
3 delineated based on natural hydrology, sources of pollution
4 seldom affect only 1 body of water. Shifting the focus to
5 watershed management provides a stable foundation for confronting
6 the source of persistent water quality issues.
7 (b) Encourage the meaningful involvement of the public in
8 protection and restoration efforts. A watershed approach
9 encourages regional awareness and support for protection of water
10 resources, while streamlining the workload and saving time and
11 money.
12 Sec. 36003. (1) The department shall administer a program
13 entitled the adopt-a-watershed program.
14 (2) The program shall include public informational
15 activities, but shall be directed primarily toward both of the
16 following:
17 (a) Encouraging and facilitating the involvement of volunteer
18 groups in protecting bodies of water through watershed-based
19 cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation activities.
20 (b) Assisting volunteer groups in selecting a specific
21 watershed in which to conduct the activities specified in
22 subdivision (a).
23 (3) The department may enter into agreements with a volunteer
24 groups to implement the program. An agreement with a volunteer
25 group shall identify the watershed and describe the
26 responsibilities of the volunteer group, which shall include, but
27 need not be limited to, all of the following:
1 (a) Cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation
2 activities in the watershed.
3 (b) Programs, seminars, and other educational and promotional
4 activities.
5 (c) Environmental testing and monitoring activities in the
6 watershed.
7 (d) Fund-raising.
8 Sec. 36004. In implementing this part, the department may
9 provide all of the following to volunteer groups:
10 (a) Funding.
11 (b) Support personnel.
12 (c) Environmental testing and monitoring equipment.
13 (d) Signs identifying the watershed and volunteer group.
14 (e) Educational and promotional material.
15 Sec. 36005. (1) The department shall provide volunteer
16 groups conducting activities under this part with data
17 information sheets and shall request that the volunteer groups
18 record on the data information sheets information concerning the
19 following:
20 (a) The specific location of the watershed.
21 (b) Wildlife in the watershed.
22 (c) Their environmental testing and monitoring activities.
23 (d) Their cleanup, pollution prevention, and conservation
24 activities.
25 (e) Information that may assist the department in
26 administering the program.
27 (2) The department shall compile information obtained from
1 the data information sheets received under subsection (1) and
2 shall include this information in the report prepared under
3 section 36006.
4 Sec. 36006. The department shall annually prepare a report
5 on the implementation and progress of the program. The
6 department shall provide the governor, senate, and house of
7 representatives with a copy of the report, post the report on
8 website, and make copies of the report available to the public
9 upon request.
10 Sec. 36007. The department may promulgate rules to
11 implement this part.