HB-4324 Summary

• Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to expand the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) to include assessment of non-agricultural lands such as forests, wetlands, and habitat areas on farm properties.

• Establishes that on-site evaluations must assess the environmental, ecological, and economic benefits of managing land areas not used for traditional or production agriculture, including forest management for timber or habitat, wetland restoration, and habitat restoration.

• Requires the Environmental Assurance Advisory Council to submit recommendations within one year for an assessment tool to help landowners evaluate the value of managing non-agricultural portions of their land.

• Expands the Environmental Assurance Advisory Council membership to include a private consulting forester and a member of the forest products industry, reflecting the broader scope of land management covered under the program.

• Authorizes regional environmental assurance teams to provide technical assistance for on-site evaluations of potential environmental, ecological, and economic benefits from managing non-agricultural land areas.