MI HB6465

Oceangoing vessels engaging in port operations in Michigan must obtain a permit from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy demonstrating compliance with federal aquatic nuisance rules (33 CFR 151.1510) or department-approved environmentally sound technology to prevent discharge of aquatic nuisance species.

Vessels must use department-approved ballast water management systems or treatment methods and perform ballast water exchanges or saltwater flushing in compliance with federal regulations (33 CFR part 151, subpart C, and 33 CFR 401.30).

If the federal aquatic nuisance rule is amended after this act's enactment and determined less protective, applicants must comply with the federal rule as it existed before the amendment; if a Great Lakes compact adopts stricter standards, those apply instead.

Department has 30 days to determine administrative completeness for new or increased permit applications and 90 days for permit reissuance applications; applications deemed complete if department does not respond within applicable timeframes.

Permit fees for oceangoing vessel permits follow the schedule in section 3120, with individual permits assessed at specified rates and general permits at different rates; act takes immediate effect.