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<title>HB5043 - Summary of Proposed H-2 (5/9/2016)</title>


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<p><b>STREAM GAUGE EXEMPTION</b></p>



<p><b>House Bill 5043 (proposed substitute H-2)</b></p>

<p><b>Sponsor:  Rep. Gretchen Driskell</b></p>

<p><b>Committee:  Natural Resources</b></p>

<p><b>Complete to 5-9-16</b></p>



<p style='text-align:justify'><b>SUMMARY: </b></p>



<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'><a name="StartText"></a>The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA) contains a list of activities that can be conducted without obtaining a
permit under Part 301 (Inland Lakes and Streams).  <u>House Bill 5043</u> would
add to that list:  <i>the installation of stream gauges or other equipment designed
to measure water levels in inland lakes and streams</i>, provided certain
criteria are met<i>.</i> The bill amends Section 30103 of NREPA, and would take
effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law. </p>



<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'>Specifically, if
all of the following are true, such a stream gauge would be exempt:</p>



<p style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;
text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>The gauge
consists of a face that is not more than 4 feet tall by 6 inches wide, contains
readable calibration marks for measuring water levels, and is attached to
bottomland through the use of a wooden or steel stake that is not more than 6
feet long.</p>

<p style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;
text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>The gauge is
installed without changing site elevations and without the use of any other
structure or fill, such as a foundation, anchor, or buoy line.</p>

<p style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;
text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>The gauge is
installed with the written permission of the landowner.</p>

<p style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;
text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>The gauge does
not cause more than a minimal adverse effect on navigation and fish and
wildlife habitat, does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the water by
others who are entitled to use the water, and does not interfere with water
flow.</p>

<p style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify;
text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Upon completion
of use, the gauge is fully removed.</p>



<p style='text-align:justify'><b>FISCAL IMPACT:</b> </p>



<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify'>House Bill 5043
could reduce revenue for the Department of Natural Resources by exempting
structures that may otherwise be subject to a permit.  It is not clear how many
structures would be affected by this bill.  Consequently, the extent of this
fiscal impact is unknown.  This bill would have no fiscal impact on local units
of government.</p>









<p style='text-align:justify'>                                                                                        Legislative
Analyst:   <a name="Analyst"></a>Josh Roesner</p>

<p style='text-align:justify'>                                                                                                Fiscal
Analyst:   Austin Scott</p>

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<p style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>&#9632;</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by
House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official
statement of legislative intent.</span></p>

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