House approves Rep. VanderWall bill updating ice shanty rules.

Rep. VanderWall in a recent meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee.

House approves Rep. VanderWall bill updating ice shanty rules.

#MichiganLegislature.

LANSING — State Rep. Curt VanderWall’s (R-Ludington) bill offering more flexibility in the rules regulating ice shanties placed on Michigan waterways was overwhelmingly approved last week by the Michigan House of Representatives.

VanderWall’s legislation gives the Michigan Department of Natural Resources the ability to adjust ice shanty removal dates each year based on weather conditions. Current law sets precise dates by which ice shanties must be removed from specific waters.

“The weather is different every year. It’s silly to have precise dates written in law by which ice shanties must be removed from the ice,” said VanderWall, of Ludington. “It makes more sense to allow the DNR to adjust the removal dates each year based on weather conditions.”

The legislation also offers increased privacy protections for the owners of ice shanties, who are currently required to put their names and addresses on the structure.

“Some people don’t like the idea of everyone who walks by their ice shanty knowing their address,” VanderWall said. “Giving people the option to choose between displaying their name and address, driver’s license number or DNR Sportcard number will offer more privacy while still giving law enforcement officers the ability to identify owners when needed.”

VanderWall noted the additional identification options are consistent with other types of sporting equipment, such as tree stands and animal traps. VanderWall represents the 101st House District, which includes Mason, Manistee, Benzie, and Leelanau counties.

House Bill 4787 now moves to the Senate for consideration.