PROHIBIT DRILLING UNDER GREAT LAKES
House Bill 4467
Sponsor: Rep. Julie Dennis
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 5-25-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4467 AS INTRODUCED 3-14-01
House Bill 4467 would amend a section of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (NREPA) Act (MCL 324.502) that regulates the powers and duties of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC); Part 325 of the act (MCL 324.32503), concerning Great Lakes submerged lands; and Part 339 (MCL 324.33938), which regulates control of certain state lands, to prohibit drilling for oil or gas under the Great Lakes. The bill would also add a new section to Part 615 of the act (MCL 324.61505a), to prohibit the supervisor of wells from issuing a permit for drilling under the Great Lakes.
Prohibition against Oil and Gas Drilling. Currently, Part 501 of NREPA prohibits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from entering into a contract that permits oil or gas drilling operations from the lake bottomlands of the Great Lakes or their connecting waterways, "unless all drilling operations originate from locations above and inland of the ordinary high-water mark." The act similarly prohibits the DNR from entering into a contract for exploration of the lake bottomlands of the Great Lakes or their connecting waters that permits drilling operations "unless all drilling operations originate from locations above and inland of the ordinary high-water mark." House Bill 4467 would amend the act to simply prohibit the DNR from entering into contracts for oil or gas drilling, or for bottomlands exploration, that permit drilling beneath the Great Lakes or the connecting or connected bays, harbors, or waterway of the Great Lakes. The bill would similarly amend Part 325 of the NREPA to prohibit the DNR from entering into leases or deeds of unpatented lands that permitted oil or gas drilling operations or that permit drilling for exploration purposes; and Part 339 of the act, to prohibit any person from conducting oil or gas drilling operations under the Great Lakes.
Supervisor of Wells. House Bill 4467 would add a new section, 61505a, to the act to specify that, notwithstanding any other provision of Part 615, or rules promulgated under Part 615, the supervisor of wells could not issue a permit for drilling 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.
MCL 324.502, 324.32503, 324.33938, and 324.61505a.
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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.