REAT LAKES RECREATIONAL DIVING PRESERVES

House Bill 5377

Sponsor:  Rep. David Farhat

Committee:  Great Lakes and Tourism

Complete to 3-9-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5377 AS INTRODUCED 12-10-03

The bill would require the Department of Environmental Quality to establish Great Lakes recreational diving preserves to provide recreational scuba diving opportunities for the general public.  Once a preserve had been established, the DEQ would authorize the sinking of one or more vessels to enhance the recreational scuba diving experience.

A nonprofit organization, or any other person, could nominate one or more locations for the establishment of a preserve by submitting a proposal in writing to the DEQ.  A recreational diving preserve could not be established at the same location as a bottomland preserve.  In establishing a preserve, the DEQ would have to consider both 1) the extent of local public and private support and 2) the interest of nonprofit organizations or other persons in obtaining, decommissioning, and sinking one or more vessels in the preserve.

The sinking of a vessel within a preserve could only be authorized if the vessel had been decommissioned in such a manner that it would not cause adverse environmental impacts.  Whoever sank the vessel would have to comply with the “International Vessel Sinking Guidelines, Final Report” as prepared for the Michigan Underwater Preserve Council by Maritime Research Associates.

MCL 324.76111a

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would not have a fiscal impact on the state or on local governmental units.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

■ 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.