05/09/2025

Coastal Solutions Compendium

Dune Protection Overlay

The Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shorelines are characterized by extensive coastal dune systems, covering about 275,000 acres near the shorelines. While more than 74,000 acres of dunes have been designated by the State of Michigan as Critical Dune Areas, where development, silviculture, and recreation activities are regulated and a permit is required under Part 353, Sand Dunes Protection and Management, of the state Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (see Permit Review of State Regulated Lands), that leaves the majority of these spectacular Michigan resources entirely dependent on local protection. A dune protection overlay can preserve dune systems outside of the state-regulated areas. 

“The dune areas of Michigan are a unique, irreplaceable, and fragile resource that provide significant recreational, economic, scientific, geological, scenic, botanical, educational, agricultural and ecological benefits to the people of Michigan and to people from other states and countries who visit this resource.” - Sand Dunes Protection and Management Act

Why it supports resilience:

A dune protection overlay can prevent disturbances that cause erosion and sedimentation of sand into the lake, wetlands, structures, and roads, as well as discourage fragmentation of a unique coastal ecosystem.

How it is used:

Regulations in a dune protection overlay focus on limiting construction disturbance and soil movement, stabilizing slopes, replanting/maintaining vegetation to limit erosion, and invasive species management.

Dune protection provisions may be included in a natural features or sensitive area overlay district. They may also be used in conjunction with permit review of state-regulated lands.

Possible obstacles to implementation:

• Dunes naturally shift over time, even with protections in place, so fixed setback lines and zoning regulations may not always reflect a future dune position. 
• Because of this shifting, periodic review is needed.
• Potential economic interests, such as development, may prioritize short-term gains over long-term resilience.

Example:

Pere Marquette Charter Township Critical Dune Overlay District

109-20.03 - AREA AFFECTED.

(a) The provisions of this Dune Overlay Zone apply to all lands so depicted on the zoning maps which are a part of this Ordinance. These lands include the entire critical dune area as designated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy pursuant to part 353 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.35301 et seq.), and to such other lands as locally designated and depicted thereon. Locally designated sand dunes together with dunes designated under such part shall be known as critical dune areas for the purpose of this Ordinance. Lands that are within 250 feet of a critical dune area, that are determined by the planning commission to be essential to the hydrology, ecology, topography, or integrity of a critical dune area shall also receive all the protection afforded to critical dunes in this overlay zone, even if not so depicted on the Pere Marquette Charter Township Zoning Maps.

(b) This overlay zone establishes regulations which apply in addition to those of the underlying district. Lot size, density, and front and side setbacks shall be as established in the underlying district, except that lots created after the effective date of this section shall be at least 250 feet in width and shall have a ratio of lot width to lot depth of not less than 1:5. Where the provisions of this zone conflict with those of the underlying district, the provisions of the Dune Overlay Zone shall supersede.”

Tasks for implementing this tool: 

• Engage the community about the potential change (see Community Engagement Approaches).
• Conduct an inventory of the shoreline using aerial photographs, Michigan Natural Resources Inventory and US Geological Survey Land Cover maps to identify dune systems most at risk of erosion and fragmentation, in addition to the status of current structures and potential development parcels.  NOTE: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy embarked on a project in April 2025 to update sand dune maps in the state and assess critical dune areas.
• Using data from your inventory, determine what types of regulations will be most protective.
• Identify all shoreline parcels to be subject to the dune protection provisions and determine whether to add the requirement as part of an overlay district or general zoning provision that applies to all properties with shoreline frontage. 
• Identify where to add the bluff protection provisions. This may be in a chart, or it may warrant a separate section. The advantage of doing a separate section is that any special limitations between the dune line and structures and restoration requirements may be listed out.
• Determine the appropriate review process, either through a site plan or construction permitting.

Additional Resources:

Valuing Michigan’s Coastal Dunes: GIS Information and Economic Data to Support Management Partnerships (2018), Michigan Environmental Council 

Building a Home in the Dunes (2012), Preserve the Dunes, Inc.