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SB 947

Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for. Amends and adds (See bill).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Anthony and 6 co-sponsors

Michigan SB 947 strengthens inland lake dam safety with new classifications, phased registration, inspections, emergency powers, and funding for repairs or removals.

referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism
#naturalresources:inlandlakes
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Bill Summary · SB 947

Bill overview

SB 947 (2025-2026) from Michigan would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to strengthen regulation of inland lakes dam safety. The bill adds new definitions, expands department authority, establishes a staged dam registration system, updates permit and inspection requirements, creates a dam safety emergency fund, and authorizes a grant program for risk reduction and dam removal or repair.

Primary purpose and intent

  • Improve dam safety governance for inland lakes by increasing oversight, standardizing inspections, enhancing emergency planning, and ensuring funding mechanisms for remedial actions.
  • Create structured timelines, fees, and procedures to monitor, inspect, and address dam risks, with attention to high- and significant-hazard dams downstream of populated or valuable resources.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions and scope (Sec. 31502–31504, 31506): Establishes terms for abandonment, spillways, appurtenant works, hazard potential classifications (low, significant, high), and design flood concepts. Defines dam height, impoundment, and related design criteria.
  • Hazard classifications and spillway capacity (Sec. 31516): Sets minimum spillway capacity requirements by hazard category and allows site-specific risk-based adjustments. Requires consideration of freeboard and, if necessary, an auxiliary spillway.
  • Permitting and project categories (Sec. 31509, 31513): Creates permit requirements for dam construction, enlargement, repair, alteration, removal, or abandonment; introduces minor project categories for alterations with minimal structural impact; allows on-site inspections for minor projects without public notice.
  • Fees and preapplication processes (Sec. 31509, 31510, 31511): Establishes permit and minor project fees with stepped increases by dam height. Introduces preapplication meetings with associated fees. Requires public notice dissemination for permit applications unless proceeding under minor project rules.
  • Registration regime (Sec. 31509a): Implements a staggered five-round dam registration of owners, with detailed submission requirements (ownership proof, asset management plan, maintenance and safety plans, inspections). Fees scale by dam height. Registrations last 15 years and can be transferred with conditions. Department reviews within 120 days.
  • Fee adjustments and exemptions (Sec. 31509b, 31510): Regular fee adjustments tied to the Detroit CPI; fee waivers for certain state agencies, public projects, and small nonprofit organizations meeting criteria.
  • Ownership reporting and preapproval (Sec. 31506a, 31518–31518d): Requires owners to provide prior-inventory and compliance information to the department; mandates comprehensive inspection, surveillance, maintenance, and safety/security planning.
  • Inspection and evaluation requirements (Sec. 31518, 31518a, 31518b, 31518c, 31518d): High hazard dams require triannual inspections; others on varying schedules. Includes comprehensive evaluation every 10 years, surveillance/monitoring plans, operation/maintenance plans, and safety/security plans. Provides for department-conducted or local government visual inspections if requested.
  • Emergency planning and action (Sec. 31520, 31521, 31523): Requires immediate notification of sudden flood risk or emergency actions; authorizes emergency orders to repair, draw down, breach, or remove a dam in imminent danger, with cost recovery provisions. Requires annual review and updating of emergency action plans and coordination with local emergency management.
  • Dam safety funding and grants (Sec. 31528a, 31528b): Creates the Dam Safety Emergency Fund for remedial actions when owners cannot or will not act, with cost-recovery by owners. Establishes a Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program to fund repair, removal, or planning with a required 10% minimum matching contribution from owners.

Who and what is affected

  • Dam owners and operators of inland lakes (all sizes and hazard classifications).
  • Local units of government, riparian owners, watershed councils, and emergency management entities that interact with dam safety planning and emergency actions.
  • State agencies and nonprofit organizations meeting criteria may be eligible for fee waivers.
  • The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) administers registrations, inspections, plans, and enforcement; the Department of Treasury handles fund deposits and allocations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Five registration rounds commence 6 months after the act’s effective date; each round covers 1/5 of dam owners.
  • Fees are scheduled with phase-in periods (e.g., permit fees increase 6 months after the act’s effective date).
  • Inspections: high-hazard dams every 3 years, significant hazard every 4 years, low hazard every 5 years; comprehensive evaluation every 10 years.
  • Emergency orders may be issued immediately in danger; hearings must be offered within 15 days of an order.
  • Emergency action plans must be updated annually and coordinated with local authorities; inundation mapping and notification requirements apply.

Note: Specific numeric thresholds and definitions (e.g., height categories, inundation mapping scope) are embedded throughout the bill text and guide the detailed application of these provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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