Sec. 502a.

(1) Upon petition by a person, recommendation of the department, or its own motion, the commission shall place on its agenda at an upcoming meeting of the commission the question of designation of a state land reserve. The petition, recommendation, or motion shall include the land proposed for inclusion within the state land reserve and a rationale for its inclusion. A tract of land is eligible for commission consideration for designation as a state land reserve if it includes at least 640 contiguous acres of state owned land and contains 1 or more of the following:

(a) A critical dune as regulated under part 353.

(b) A high-risk area regulated under part 323.

(c) A wetland regulated under part 303.

(d) An endangered species protected under part 365.

(e) A wilderness area or natural area regulated under part 351.

(f) A natural river regulated under part 305.

(g) Any other significant surface or subsurface natural feature or area of environmental sensitivity.

(2) Prior to making its recommendation on the designation of a state land reserve, the commission shall receive public testimony on the issue. After considering the public testimony, the commission shall issue a written recommendation to the legislature on whether or not the commission believes a state land reserve should be designated. In making its recommendation, the commission shall consider the need for a buffer zone surrounding the land to eliminate the potential drainage of oil and gas. The commission may expand or restrict the land area proposed for the state land reserve. The commission shall include with the recommendation a rationale for its recommendation.

(3) Upon receipt of a recommendation from the commission under subsection (2), a member of the legislature may offer a resolution to create a state land reserve pursuant to section 5 of article X of the state constitution of 1963. The resolution is not required to conform to the recommendation of the commission. When considering this resolution, the legislature shall also consider the need for a buffer zone surrounding the land to eliminate the potential drainage of oil and gas.

(4) If the legislature adopts the resolution under subsection (3) by 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house, a state land reserve is designated. Pursuant to section 5 of article X of the state constitution of 1963, land within a state land reserve shall not be removed from the reserve, sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of except by a resolution of the legislature.

(5) Upon designation of a state land reserve under subsection (4), the department shall attempt to purchase, trade, or otherwise acquire any holdings within the contiguous area of the state land reserve that improve ownership patterns, including any severed mineral rights. The owner of an inholding described in this subdivision who offers that land or interest in that land for sale or lease, if that land transfer is subject to the state transfer tax, shall first offer that land or interest in land to the state and shall give the state a right of first refusal.

History: Add. 1998, Act 114, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1998 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA