THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931
750.110b Dumping of garbage, oil, or rubbish from boats; penalty. Sec. 110b.
Any person who discharges, dumps, deposits or throws or causes or permits the discharging, dumping, depositing or throwing of any garbage, except that which has passed through a disposal unit of a type approved by the United States public health service, or oil or rubbish from a vessel or watercraft of 25 or more feet in length into a river or inland lake within this state, or within 3 miles of the shoreline of any part of the great lakes or connecting waters thereof within this state, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or by both.
History: Add. 1964, Act 132, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966
Understanding Michigan Law on Environmental Pollution from Boats: Section 750.110b of the Michigan Penal Code Simplified
Section 750.110b of the Michigan Penal Code sets the laws and penalties related to the dumping of garbage, oil, or rubbish from boats into the state's waters. Here's a simplified explanation of this law:
Unlawful Actions:
- It's illegal to discharge, dump, deposit, or throw any garbage from a boat or watercraft that's 25 or more feet in length into a river or inland lake within the state of Michigan, or within three miles of the shoreline of any part of the Great Lakes or their connecting waters within the state.
- The only exception is garbage that has passed through a disposal unit of a type approved by the United States Public Health Service.
- It's also illegal to discharge, dump, deposit, or throw oil or rubbish from such a vessel into these waters.
Penalties:
- A person who violates this law commits a misdemeanor. The penalties for this misdemeanor can include up to 1 year in a county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
The Importance of Understanding Section 750.110b
Understanding this law is essential because it underscores the importance of protecting our natural water bodies from pollution, especially from large watercraft. This legislation helps to preserve the environmental health of Michigan's waters and serves as a deterrent against improper waste disposal from boats, ensuring these areas remain clean and safe for both residents and wildlife.