SB 785 Summary

• Revises Michigan's wetland protection program under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by amending permit processing procedures, fees, and approval criteria for wetland projects.

• Establishes a Wetland Advisory Council with representatives from state agencies, federal agencies, industry groups, environmental organizations, and the public to evaluate program efficiency and make recommendations by October 1, 2010 and August 15, 2012.

• Creates pilot programs for local wetland permitting assistance (expires October 1, 2012) and wetland mitigation bank development in counties with 500,000+ population, with reporting requirements by April 1, 2012.

• Allows federal permit approvals to satisfy state requirements for certain projects when federal and state jurisdictions overlap, with specified timeframes and exceptions for rare wetlands and sensitive sites.

• Designates cranberry production activities as water-dependent uses eligible for wetland permitting, with identification of at least 2,500 acres suitable for cranberry cultivation and fee waivers for related preapplication meetings through October 1, 2012.