State Rep. Bradley Slagh introduced a plan that would help homeowners living along the Great Lakes shoreline facing soil erosion due to record high-water levels.

Slagh’s plan will enhance the shoreline minor permit process by including sandbags. While a minor project permit for sandbagging does currently exist, it was created administratively and not in statue. This means the department could eliminate it as quickly as they created it. Slagh’s measure will codify the minor permit for sandbags into law, therefore making it permanent.

“My plan will save homeowners money and time,” Slagh said. “It will enable bottom sand in very specific amounts to be used to fill sandbags, rather than having to bring in sand or other materials foreign to the lakeshore. Given the high-water levels, we need to be focused on easing the regulatory burden while maintaining our environmental focus.”

Rep. Slagh remains committed to helping homeowners facing devasting damage from high-water levels and has backed several measures to provide relief. He said this plan will help struggling communities prevent further damage.

House Bill 5556 has been referred to the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreations Committee for consideration.