MI HB4604

Exempts agricultural earth-change activities from county or municipal permit requirements if they do not cause soil erosion, sedimentation, or off-site sediment discharge, including fence construction/maintenance, stump removal, drainage tile installation, and pond construction under 5 acres.

Exempts residential property owners from permitting requirements for minor earth changes stabilized within 24 hours, gardening, post holes, stump removal up to 100 square feet, and tree/shrub planting on their own occupied property.

Allows residential lawn seeding/reseeding under 1 acre if at least 100 feet from state waters, or up to 100 square feet if closer to waters, provided soil erosion controls are implemented and stabilization occurs within 24 hours.

Permits residential soil/sand/gravel stockpiling not exceeding 10 cubic yards and seawall maintenance not exceeding 100 square feet if located at least 100 feet from state waters.

Exemptions do not prevent enforcement action if exempted activities violate environmental laws or regulations regarding erosion, sedimentation, or water discharge; effective February 25, 2016.