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Show 396 MICHIGAN significant adverse impact on fish, wildlife, recreational values, or public rights in the waters of the State. The department may cancel any permit issued for failure to comply with the approved plans of construction. The department may require the owner to make repairs to remove hazardous conditions in an existing dam.10 The responsibilities of the Department of Natural Resources are not exclusive with regard to the erection of dams. The County Boards of Supervisors are empowered to permit the construction of any bridge over or across any navigable water and to provide for the removal of obstacles in streams. Further, any person desiring to construct a dam across a navigable steam must file a petition with the local County Board of Supervisors which may be approved after notice and a public hearing.11 It should also be noted that Michigan has a statute relating to the alteration of a watercourse, providing that no one shall alter the stage of water or widen or deepen the channel of any natural watercourse, except drains estab- lished by public authorities, without first securing a written permit from the commissioner or commissioners having jurisdiction over all bridges or culverts on or over said watercourses.12 The Department of Natural Resources also administers legislation designed to protect riparian rights and the public trust in navigable inland lakes and streams. The department may enter into written agreements with riparian landowners to fix the location of the ordinary high-water mark of the watercourse as it relates to their property. This would delineate the boundary between the upland riparian owner and the State, and the State would own the bed if the stream or lake is navigable. Under the provisions of this act, a riparian landowner may place structures or fill without a permit to facilitate his private, noncommercial, recreational use of the water, so long as he does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the water by other riparian landowners and the public. However, a per- mit must be obtained for dredging and filling operations and for the erection of piers and marinas on the bed of a lake or stream. A permit shall be issued if the project will not adversely affect riparian rights and is either in the public interest or will not impair the public trust. The Department shall recognize all riparian rights, and shall also consider the preservation or improvement of the lake or stream and its uses, including-but not limited to-uses for agriculture, commerce, fishing, industry, local government, recreation, and wild- life.13 A permit must be obtained from the department before con- necting any artificial channel with any navigable body of water. A permit shall be granted if the department finds that the project will not injure the public trust, the public interest, or the rights of any riparian landowner.14 The act further provides that, after giving due consideration to all aspects of riparian rights, the uses of water, and the public trust, the department may undertake projects for the improvement and development of lakes or streams 10 Mich. C.L.A., sees. 281.131 to 281.135. « Mich. C.L.A., sees. 46.21 to 24. 12 Mich C.L.A., sees. 254.25. WMich. C.L.A., sees. 281.731 to 281.742. M Mich. C.L.A., sees. 281.744 to 281.751. |