State of Michigan

Michigan Legislature

 Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994, PA 451, as amended (Act 451).  Water quality also is protected under the Act. The statute prohibits water discharges that could harm: ◦ Public health, safety or welfare; ◦ Domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other water uses; ◦ The value or utility of riparian lands; ◦ Livestock, wildlife, or plants.  Additionally, a state permit is required to discharge waste or waste effluent into surface water or groundwater

 Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resources & Environmental Protection Act (PA 451)

 Part of Public Act 451, signed February 28, 2006  A landmark package of water-use bills, bringing long overdue protections to Michigan’s waters ◦ An immediate prohibition against new large-scale water withdrawals that cause adverse resource impacts to lakes and streams ◦ A permit requirement for new large-scale water withdrawals ◦ A requirement that the projects include plans to remedy any measurable impacts

 The Aquifer Protection and Dispute Resolution Act (PA 177) empowers the MDNRE to investigate whether high-capacity wells are depleting groundwater supplies and, if so, to order remedies. (Construction-project dewatering wells and some municipal water wells are exempt. Cases involving agricultural wells are handled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.)  State action is instigated under PA 177 when a well owner reports a drop in water supply or change in water quality. The complainant must have reason to believe that their water supply is being diminished or compromised by a higher-capacity well in the region

 Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act 1976 PA 399, as amended  Administrative rules, supplying water to the public R to R  Delineation of wellhead protection areas is mandated for community drinking water wells under this Act. Complete PDF of the Act available at: wb-dwehs-cws-Act399_247583_7.pdf

 Michigan's wetland statute, Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451  Under the Act, a permit is required for the following activities: ◦ Deposit or permit the placing of fill material in a wetland; ◦ Dredge, remove, or permit removal of soil or minerals from a wetland ◦ Construct, operate, or maintain any use of development in a wetland; or ◦ Drain surface water from a wetland  These activities are regulated regardless of the intention of the dredging, filling, construction, or draining activities.

 Endangered Species Act is to protect species and also "the ecosystems upon which they depend."  ESA's primary goal is to prevent the extinction, and secondly, to recover and maintain by removing or lessening threats to their survival.

 In 1975, the Snail Darter was placed on the newly created Endangered Species List.  United States Supreme Court affirmed an injunction that stopped the Tennessee Valley Authority from completing the Tellico Dam project because the proposed project would destroy the Snail Darter’s habitat.  The dam, at that time, was more than 90 percent built!

Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America's Fresh Waters by Robert Glennon Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America's Fresh Waters by Marq de Villiers The Great Lakes Water Wars by Peter Annin