State Representative Joey Andrews is introducing legislation intended to help protect critical dune areas around Michigan.

Andrews is planning to unveil the legislation with Grand Rapids state Representative Rachel Hood in Saugatuck Wednesday.

A bill from Representative Hood would make it more difficult to develop on “critical dunes,” which make up about 25% of Michigan’s total coastal dunes acreage. She tells us amendments to Michigan law in 2012 made it easier for landowners to build between the shores of the Great Lakes and the crests of dunes.

“Until relatively recently, in 2012, we wouldn’t see development like we have seen in Grand Marais and in Saugatuck itself and likely in lots of other places up and down the shoreline where homes are literally 20, 10 feet away from the water that wouldn’t be permitted as a result of the critical dunes law,” Hood said. “We need to restore that.”

The bill from Representative Andrews would limit sand mining, aiming to strengthen the permitting process so more fragile dunes will be protected from excavation.

Hood says the two lawmakers will tour some critical dunes today with the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance after announcing the legislative effort.