Michigan Law Restricts Dam Construction Without Approval
– A Michigan law, originally enacted as Act No. 226 of 1907, prohibits the construction of dams, wharfs, and similar structures without prior approval. The legislation, detailed in Chapter 41 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, aims to regulate water resources and infrastructure development within the state.
The law, as outlined in the Michigan Legislature’s documentation, doesn’t specify the approval process in detail, but clearly establishes that such construction is not permitted without it. This suggests a regulatory framework existed, and continues to exist, to oversee projects impacting Michigan’s waterways.
The legislation defines a “Supervisor” as the supervisor of a township elected under chapter XVI of the Michigan election law, according to the Michigan Legislature. This definition, while seemingly unrelated to dam construction, highlights the involvement of local township officials in broader governance and regulatory processes within the state.
While the provided documentation doesn’t detail the specific agencies responsible for granting approval, the historical records of the Bureau of Reclamation offer context regarding large-scale water management projects in the western United States. Established in the Department of the Interior, the Bureau’s functions include planning, constructing, and operating irrigation works, as well as building and operating hydroelectric powerplants. The Bureau’s history traces back to the Reclamation Service, Geological Survey (1902-1907), and subsequent iterations before becoming the Bureau of Reclamation in 1923.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s records, spanning from 1889 to 1995, include documentation related to irrigation projects, construction, and economic results. These records, housed in the National Archives, provide a historical perspective on water resource management and infrastructure development, though their direct connection to the 1907 Michigan law isn’t explicitly stated.
The Bureau’s work also extended to the construction of dams, as evidenced by an album of Coolidge Dam, Arizona, prints from 1927-1928. This illustrates the scale and scope of the Bureau’s involvement in dam construction projects during that era.
Public Law 114-322, while not directly related to the 1907 Michigan law, underscores the ongoing need for federal and state coordination in regulating infrastructure projects. The law references prior approval and conditions under state law for regulation, highlighting the importance of aligning federal and state regulations.
The architectural legacy of the Bureau of Reclamation, documented in a report covering the period 1902-1955, showcases the design and construction of various structures, including those related to water management. This report acknowledges the contributions of individuals like Gordon Kaufmann, an architect involved in Reclamation projects.
The 1907 Michigan law, represents an early effort to regulate the construction of water-impounding structures within the state. While the specifics of the approval process remain unclear from the provided documentation, the law’s existence demonstrates a recognition of the need for oversight and control over projects that could impact Michigan’s water resources. The historical context provided by the Bureau of Reclamation’s records and subsequent legislation highlights the enduring importance of water resource management and the ongoing need for regulatory frameworks to govern infrastructure development.
