Conservation and environmental groups called on the Michigan Legislature in March to protect the state's precious coastal areas by immediately repealing "beach grooming" provisions in the state's wetland law. In 2003, the Legislature amended state law to allow property owners to remove vegetation exposed by low lake levels.

The beach grooming provisions called for a study of potential impacts from the newly allowed activities. Released by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the report found negative impacts to coastal areas where beach grooming had occurred.

"This report confirms what we have long suspected: beach grooming hurts our Great Lakes," said Jennifer McKay, policy associate with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. She added, "Beach grooming causes fundamental changes to coastal waters that negatively impact fish and their food source."

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, approximately 90% of the 200 fish species living in the Great Lakes rely on coastal wetlands during some part of their life cycle. The report found negative impacts to several important game fish, including yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.

The study also found that beach grooming destroyed stands of important plants and helped invasive species colonize the groomed areas. Anne Brasie, executive director of the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, said, "Not only does beach grooming harm fish, it also promotes the spread of harmful invasive plant species along the shore." Grand Traverse Bay is a primary area in the state being affected by beach grooming.

MEC Policy Director James Clift said, "The science is in. Damage to the Great Lakes is happening now, and we expect the Legislature to act now by repealing the beach grooming provisions."