Holland Reporter

Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) is the sponsor of an erosion protection bill that recently passed through the Senate, which will provide shoreline homeowners with additional measures to keep their homes safe. Taking note of other Great Lakes states like Wisconsin and Ohio, Victory proposed this bill to the Michigan Senate after hearing from his constituents about the frustration of encountering so much red tape while trying to protect their homes.

While the bill allows homeowners the ability to construct temporary anti-erosion structures and move their homes if necessary, they still need to communicate with their local government throughout the process, despite the added leeway.

Some government officials have expressed concerns or issues with the bill, including officials with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). However, Chairman Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee disagrees, according to an editorial in The Detroit News.

“The need for action is urgent,” said Outman. With so many shoreline homes at risk, it would be unwise and careless to continue putting residents in such a defenseless position. With this bill, it will be possible for them to save their homes and maintain their quality of life, says the editorial in The Detroit News.