Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 324. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection § 324.30502

Sec. 30502. The department, in the interest of the people of the state and future generations, may designate a river or portion of a river as a natural river area for the purpose of preserving and enhancing its values for water conservation, its free flowing condition, and its fish, wildlife, boating, scenic, aesthetic, floodplain, ecologic, historic, and recreational values and uses. The area shall include adjoining or related lands as appropriate to the purposes of the designation. The department shall prepare and adopt a long-range comprehensive plan for a designated natural river area that sets forth the purposes of the designation, proposed uses of lands and waters, and management measures designed to accomplish the purposes. State land within the designated area shall be administered and managed in accordance with the plan, and state management of fisheries, streams, waters, wildlife, and boating shall take cognizance of the plan. The department shall publicize and inform private and public landowners or agencies as to the plan and its purposes, so as to encourage their cooperation in the management and use of their land in a manner consistent with the plan and the purposes of the designation. The department shall cooperate with federal agencies administering any federal program concerning natural river areas, and with any watershed council established under part 311,  1 when such cooperation furthers the interest of the state.