SB 93

This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue individual

permits for the removal of certain sediment from the bed of Lake Michigan or Lake

Superior.

Current law generally prohibits a person from removing material from the bed

of a navigable body of water unless DNR has issued an individual permit or a general

permit authorizing the removal. The bill requires DNR to issue an individual permit

to an applicant for the removal of sediment deposited on the bed of Lake Michigan

or Lake Superior by currents, storms, or other natural activity if the sediment has

a level of contamination at or below the level of contamination present at the area

where the sediment will be deposited.

The bill also provides that the removed sediment is not solid waste. Under

current law, DNR administers rules relating to the management and disposal of solid

waste, which includes garbage, sludge from treatment plants and pollution control

facilities, and other discarded or salvageable materials. “Solid waste” does not

include material in domestic sewage, irrigation return flows, or permitted industrial

discharges; slag generated by iron or steel production; certain radioactive or nuclear

materials; or certain products processed at pyrolysis or gasification facilities.