June 9, 2004, Introduced by Reps. Kolb, Jamnick, Dennis and Gieleghem and referred to the Committee on Land Use and Environment.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding part 755.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 PART 755. NATURAL LANDMARKS
2 Sec. 75501. It is the policy of this state to preserve for
3 public use, enjoyment, and education natural landmarks of state
4 significance for the inspiration and benefit of the people of
5 Michigan.
6 Sec. 75502. (1) The Michigan natural landmark program is
7 created in the department of natural resources. The department
8 shall establish a nomination process that will allow the
9 commission of natural resources or any other interested
10 individual to nominate a site, structure, or object located in
11 this state to be declared a Michigan natural landmark under
1 subsection (2).
2 (2) Except as otherwise provided under this act, upon
3 receiving a nomination under subsection (1), the governor shall
4 have the power to declare by public proclamation that the site,
5 structure, or object is of historic, scenic, or scientific
6 interest and is a Michigan natural landmark.
7 Sec. 75503. (1) The department of natural resources shall
8 do all of the following:
9 (a) Secure, collate, and preserve drawings, plans,
10 photographs, and other data of sites, structures, and objects of
11 historic, scenic, or scientific significance located in this
12 state.
13 (b) Make a survey of historic, scenic, and scientific sites,
14 structures, and objects for the purpose of determining which
15 possess exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the
16 history or culture of this state.
17 (c) Make necessary investigations and research in this state
18 relating to particular sites, structures, or objects to obtain
19 true and accurate historic, scenic, and scientific facts and
20 information.
21 (d) Acquire in the name of Michigan by gift, purchase, or
22 otherwise any property, personal or real, that is or is related
23 to a Michigan natural landmark.
24 (e) Contract and make cooperative agreements with local units
25 of government, corporations, associations, or individuals to
26 protect, preserve, maintain, or operate any Michigan natural
27 landmark.
1 (f) Restore, reconstruct, rehabilitate, preserve, protect,
2 manage, and maintain a historic, scenic, or scientific site,
3 structure, or object according to the purpose and reason that the
4 proclamation identified the site, structure, or object as a
5 Michigan natural landmark.
6 (g) Erect and maintain markers to mark or commemorate
7 Michigan natural landmarks and events of state historic, scenic,
8 or scientific significance.
9 (h) Charge reasonable visitation fees and grant concessions,
10 leases, or permits for the use of land, building space, roads, or
11 trails to accommodate the public or to administer this act.
12 (i) Develop an educational program and service for the
13 purpose of making available to the public facts and information
14 pertaining to Michigan natural landmarks.
15 (2) When the governor determines that it would be
16 administratively burdensome to restore, reconstruct, operate,
17 preserve, or maintain any particular Michigan natural landmark
18 donated to the state, he or she may allow a private entity to
19 perform such activities under the laws of this state.
20 (3) A site, structure, or object located on private property
21 shall not be eligible to be named a Michigan natural landmark
22 under this act without the express written consent of the
23 property owner.
24 Sec. 75504. A person who alters, damages, or destroys a
25 Michigan natural landmark is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable
26 by imprisonment for not more than 12 months or a fine of not more
27 than $10,000.00, or both.