(1) Beginning immediately after July 9, 1984, the department shall conduct an inventory of state owned land to determine the surface areas of peat present on those lands and to make a preliminary evaluation of the nature of the peat lands and the relationship of the peat resource to the surrounding wetlands and watershed. The preliminary evaluation shall consist of an analysis of the following data obtained from aerial photographs, a field check of surface features, and any information currently available:...
(b) The importance of the peat land for wildlife habitat including migratory waterfowl and rare, threatened, or endangered species.
(c) The presence of rare, threatened, or endangered plant species...
Citation: M.C.L.A. 324.64103.
A local unit of government that has adopted an ordinance under section 30307(4) that regulates wetland within its jurisdiction that is less than 2 acres in size shall comply with this section. Upon application for a wetland use permit in a wetland that is less than 2 acres in size, the local unit of government shall approve the permit unless the local unit of government determines that the wetland is essential to the preservation of the natural resources of the local unit of government and provides these findings, in writing, to the permit applicant stating the reasons for this determination. In making this determination, the local unit of government must find that 1 or more of the following exist at the particular site:
(a) The site supports state or federal endangered or threatened plants, fish, or wildlife appearing on a list specified in section 36505...
(f) The site provides wildlife habitat by providing breeding, nesting, or feeding grounds or cover for forms of wildlife, waterfowl, including migratory waterfowl, and rare, threatened, or endangered wildlife species...
Citation: M.C.L.A. 324.30309.