In June of 2003, the Michigan Legislature passed 2003 PA 14, which exempted mowing and other limited beach maintenance activities from wetland and Great Lakes bottomlands protection requirements through November 1, 2007.  This legislation required the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to evaluate the impacts of vegetation removal and report back to the Governor and the Legislature.  The results of this study can be found in the " Report on the Impacts of Beach Maintenance and Removal of Vegetation under Act 14 of 2003." 

In preparation for the expiration of the beach maintenance exemptions, the DEQ formed the Shoreline Management Policy Workgroup, which consisted of representatives from a number of different state and federal resource agencies and citizen groups such as Save Our Shoreline and Michigan Environmental Council.  This workgroup was charged with determining the best way to protect the ecological values of Great Lakes shorelands, while continuing to recognize landowner interests. 

The efforts of the workgroup resulted in the creation of a new General Permit (GP) category, which allows property owners to request authorization to conduct certain shoreline management activities through a simplified permit process for a reduced application fee.  The public notice period for review of this GP category ran from February 6, 2007 to May 6, 2007.  Shoreline property owners may begin applying for authorization under the GP as of August 1, 2007. 

Small scale shoreline management activities done by hand or with hand tools (e.g. raking, shoveling) do not require a permit.  Mechanized activities and larger scale shoreline management activities require a permit.

The activities outlined below may be authorized under the Shoreline Management GP category:

• Leveling and grooming of sand in areas free of vegetation.
• Construction and maintenance of a temporary access walkway in areas free of vegetation using on-site materials.
• Limited mowing of vegetation for a pathway, certain recreation areas, and in previously mowed areas of Saginaw Bay and Grand Traverse Bay.
• Limited mowing for control of invasive or non-native species (such as Phragmites australis) with an invasive species control plan in accordance with recommendations provided by DEQ.

More detailed descriptions of these activities can be found in the GP below. 

General Permit Category for Limited Great Lakes Shoreline Management Activities 

General Permit table "Summary of the shoreline management GP"

Along the Shore: A shoreline management guide for Michigan coastal landowners

Applicants wishing to apply for authorization under the GP may use the simplified application form below. 

Great Lakes Shoreline Management General Permit Application Form and Instructions 

Sample General Permit Application Drawings

We encourage you to pay your application fee using our online payment system. 7/10/2008

Shoreline management activities exceeding those that can be authorized under the General Permit require an application for an Individual Permit.  An Individual Permit is also required for activities in the water and vegetation removal.  An application for an Individual Permit requires additional fees and will receive a more detailed review by the DEQ, including a public notice and, potentially, a public hearing.  An Individual Permit is also required for activities proposed on lands containing State or Federally threatened or endangered species.   In most cases, an Individual Permit is required if the project is proposed in a designated Environmental Area.  Mowing paths and mowing for control of invasive species in Environmental Areas may be authorized under the General Permit.

A permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is required for most activities that alter Great Lakes coastal areas.  Additional information regarding USACE permit requirements is available on the United States Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District web site.