LANSING —Today, the Michigan legislature passed water use bills that create many important new protections for Michigan’s waterways. Environmental groups celebrated this victory and the significant improvements made on the bills since they were introduced in the Senate this fall.

“These bills are a huge step forward for Michigan and we thank the legislature and the Governor for their leadership,” said James Clift, Policy Director for Michigan Environmental Council. “Our Great Lakes and all of our waterways are, for the first time, being provided protection from overuse by large water users.”

A coalition of organizations gained critical support for improving the Senate bills when they reached the House from a bipartisan coalition of legislators. It was the support of these legislators, led by Rep. Brandenburg, Rep. Sak, Rep. David Law, Rep. Kahn, Rep. Stewart, and Rep. Gillard, that made stronger bills a reality. These bills also stemmed from the Governor’s Water Legacy Act and include significant components of her proposed law.

The bills are a significant improvement over current law. For the first time, major water users in Michigan will need to get a permit from the state that proves they will not adversely impact waterways. Although the bills start with protections focused on trout streams, after two years every lake, river, and stream across the state will be afforded the same protection. The bills also require permits for the largest water withdrawals— over 2 million gallons per day (gpd) from inland waterways and 5 million gpd from the Great Lakes. The bills require each sector to design best management for the efficient use of water and all users now must report their water use accurately. Additionally, communities will be given the opportunity to become more involved in local water use decisions that impact their area.

For the first time, large water bottling operations will need to seek a permit and prove that they will not adversely impact natural resources, will protect riparian rights, and that they will undertake activities to offset any measurable impact on Michigan’s environment. These permits will be reviewed by a public board with an environmental representative and with public input. The bills require legislative approval for diversions of water in containers larger than 5.7 gallons, although they exempt containers smaller than 5.7 gallons from being considered a diversion. Environmental groups will monitor that exemption very closely to make sure it does not result in negative impacts to Michigan’s natural resources.

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